Psychiatrists in Ottawa, Canada

A walk-in clinic can assess you. If you are in immediate crisis, go to thd ER.

Hi there: First off, good on you for recognizing you need a little assistance with your mental health. It takes courage to admit it, be cause thre’s still lots of stigma out there. But you’re doing the right thing for yourself, so congratulations. Psychiatry does require a doctor’s referral. However, you have a bunch of options. As others have pointed out, you could go to a walk-in clinic. But I suspect you would have a long wait for a psychiatrist’s care. I’m going to suggest you start at one of a few places. I’m guessing you might be a student here. Colleges and universities have health clinics and counselling services. You should first go to them and see what is available to you. If that doesn’t work for you for whatever reason, then you still have other options. You can see a psychologist or a social worker for psychotherapy that does not necessarily include pharmaceutical therapies (although a GP can prescribe SSRIs, for example). Many people friend very good results through the use of CBT, or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which is most useful for people with anxiety disorders or depression. There are a large number of psychologists: the Ontario Psychological Association has a search engine. https://www.psych.on.ca/Utilities/Find-a-psychologist.aspx If psychologists don’t fit or are too expensive, then access one of the social work organizations in town. Family Service Ottawa or Jewish Family Services offer counselling services in individual and group formats. They are quite affordable, and despite the names or religious orientations, you do not need to be an adherent to any religion to access their services. I hope that this and the other responses are useful, and that you find the help you think you need. If you find yourself in a crisis mode, please go to an ER or call the Ottawa Distress Centre. They _will_ help you. I’ve been there; lots of people have. You can get through this and find new and better ways of coping with whatever issues you have.

This is a good resource: [https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/on/ottawa](https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/on/ottawa) You can narrow the list down a bit according to whatever your issue is and there's some other criteria there as well if you want. You don't necessarily need a referral to see someone, I was able to make a few appointments without one. Be aware that it can take a while to find the right person, so try not to get discouraged if the first person you meet refers you to someone else. Keep at it, it's worth it. Congratulations on taking the first step to a happier, healthier you!

Bounce back is a good online option with workbooks and someone who calls to check in on your progress. [https://bouncebackontario.ca/bounceback-for-clients/](https://bouncebackontario.ca/bounceback-for-clients/) You do need an OHIP card though

There are a few community health centres that offer walk-in counselling services. It's not something you would make regular appointments for but definitely a good option for one-off non-crisis needs until you can get someone permanently. DM me if you want more details and I can try to link you to your most local option

You can come to the Centre for Cognitive Therapy without a physician referral. However your insurance company may request a referral note from your family doctor in order to cover therapy. [https://ocbt.ca/contact/](https://ocbt.ca/contact/) 613-729-0801 admin@ocbt.ca Please contact us anytime!

I though suffering in silence was the best treatment offered through our society

I think that would work Lawrence! But Brian can decide... Please send me an email Dear! nykkytta@gmail.com

If you need to see a psychiatrist specifically, you’ll need a referral from a GP or walk-in clinic, and it can take months to a year for space to open up. It sucks. So I’d suggest starting on that path, but simultaneously trying to find a therapist or psychologist that can help with talk therapy. If you go through the past few days of posts, there have been a couple with loads of recommendations for issues like this one.

There are a lot of walk-in clinics in the city at walkincounselling.com. I went to the one on Parkdale it was great. There was a 1 hour wait time. Sessions are 2 hours, and they are free. Not a perfect solution to your problem but maybe a way to assist you now until you can find a psychiatrist. Theres always the crisis line 613-820-4922 I have called them too they are very helpful. They can also point you in the direction of other resources. Hope this helps!

>Does anyone know of a psychiatrist preferably around sandy hill area they could recommend? Good luck, are you a student? Does UOttawa not have mental health access? https://www.uottawa.ca/health/services/mental-health >Patients are to contact our office directly at 613-564-3950 ext 497 or [**complete the online appointment request form**](https://www.uottawa.ca/health/assessment-appointment) to schedule this appointment. >UOHS also offers [**psychiatric and psychological services**](https://www.uottawa.ca/health/specialists/psychiatry) to all patients. Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team https://crisisline.ca/ 613-722-6914 https://www.ementalhealth.ca/Ottawa-Carleton/Crisis-and-Emergency/index.php?m=heading&ID=3 You can also go to a Hospital or Clinic for referrals. **DOWNTOWN WALK-IN** Centretown Community Health Centre – LGBT2SQ+ Clinic 420 Cooper St, Ottawa, ON K2P 2N6 >I'm afraid to lose my motivation to seek help. This is going to be super callous however, losing motivation is not an option for you. One foot in front of the other. Getting a therapist is a dogshit experience but it's worth it. Unfortunately you *must* be willing/able to travel but you should be able to find something near downtown at least. Start journalling, get your thoughts in order. EDIT: https://walkincounselling.com/ Good 2 Talk (24h) 1-866-925-5454

We're all here to listen or talk.

Any physician might be able to give you a prescription that might help while you wait to see a psychiatrist.

You can go to the Emergency Room at any hospital. You will eventually be seen by a psychiatrist and will likely leave with follow up appointments. I have had a very good experience with the mental health team at Ottawa Civic Hospital.

Honestly i went to the Queensway carleton hospital emergency. And i explained i was having severe mental health issues. Well anxiety and something else. I waited the 4 hours saw the doctor and they gave me , hear this , a prescription to the psychiatric ward in the hospital. So basically i was told to go to book an appoitment. I then went to the Queensway to see a psychiatrist. Everything was covered on ohip!!! I also was provided with session with a psychologist for therapy.i did that for 2 years and it helped me so much. Maybe i was lucky or something. I saw the psychiatrist that same week. So there's my advice. This was 2008 - 2010

Feel free to call me maggie 613 599 9483

Hi Sandra. Getting into any DBT treatment will require work and waiting. The only programs I am aware of in Ottawa which are funded by OHIP are 1. At The Montfort (and that program is in French), 2. The Royal Ottawa (and that program is only for teens) and 3. The Civic campus of The Ottawa Hospital. The waiting list are long. The program at The Civic occasionally closes it's list and won't take names because it gets so long. It is also a DBT "light" program which is shorter and may not offer what a full program offers. I myself gave up on it because while you will see both a group therapist as well as an individual therapist for the duration of the program, you must have some kind of therapist on "the outside" who will see you once per week. There are a few places where there are privately funded DBT groups in Ottawa but that's expensive. I would call The Ottawa Hospital (Civic) and ask them as that's the only place I am aware of for Anglophone adults. They should be able to answer your questions. Good luck. The bureaucracy for quality (yet funded) mental health care in this entire country is abysmal. This is why I gave up on DBT. I'm waiting for a social worker now...and while I am lucky to see both a psychiatrist and psychologist, they both work for the QCH and as a result I see them less often than I need to. I have been waiting for a social worker for nearly a year and a half!

Sandra Garrison, there is a group of psychologists - I believe in the Glebe who may offer DBT. Any privately funded programs are based on whether the psychologist offers them. Essentially you can grab a list of psychologists from the web and call them to ask. Try using "DBT Ottawa psychologist" as search terms and then call every one that shows up. Since there are dozens of private psychologists, I don't have any specifics. I also didn't go that route because I am on ODSP and even if I wasn't I could not afford privately funded DBT. I would imagine there are waiting lists for those too, but not nearly as long.

I have never been to any meetings or get-togethers. I don't always follow what goes on in this group and occasionally the meet-ups are out of my way. I think you might find more success in Montreal, simply because much less red-tape is involved. Dealing with two provinces is never easy. That being said, DBT is still hard to access. Therapists have to be specifically trained to offer it. I would imagine you will find waiting lists wherever you look. I have heard of people who end up going to the US because while it is crazy expensive, at least they don't have to wait so long. I would also recommend that you read a few books...with my top three being 1. Borderline Personality Disorder: Demystified 2. The Buddha and The Borderline and 3. Loving Someone With BPD. All three give a lot of information that is helpful to anyone who has any connection to BPD - family, friends and of course the person with BPD. There are other good books (Sometimes I Act Crazy, I Hate You, Don't Leave Me), but I found those three to be the best.

My Doctor recommended Dr Khan for my son who needed quick support for ADHD

Dr. Angela Digout Earhardt... unfortunately I know she has a bit of a wait. She may be able to refer you to one of her colleagues