Referrals and treatment

How do I access the OSI Clinic?

  • The OSI Clinic accepts referrals from Veterans Affairs Canada and the Canadian Forces (Regular and Reserve).
  • If you are currently a serving member of the Canadian Forces, talk to your medical officer or health services coordinator about your eligibility for a referral to the OSI Clinic.
  • If you are a former member of the Canadian Forces or RCMP, ask your Veterans Affairs Canada representative about your eligibility for a referral to the OSI Clinic, or phone Veterans Affairs Canada at 1-866-522-2122 and ask to speak to the area counselor for your location.

Who can be treated?

Q: Who can be treated at the Carewest OSI Clinic?

A: The Carewest OSI Clinic treats referred residents of Alberta who are Veterans, members of the Canadian Forces (Regular and Reserve) and members of the RCMP who have an Operational Stress Injury. The Clinic also treats a client’s family members where appropriate.

Referrals

The Careweset OSI Clinic referrals are required by Veteran Affairs Canada, Canadian Forces or RCMP. We are unable to accept self-referrals.

Regular and Reserve Members of Canadian Forces: Speak with your Medical Officer or Social Worker on the Base to discuss your concern.

Current members of the RCMP: Speak with your Health Services Officer or RCMP Psychologist.

Retired Canadian Forces or retired RCMP: Speak with Veterans Affairs Canada National Client Contact Centre at: English: 1-866-522-2122 French: 1-866-522-2022

To talk to a Peer Support Coordinator, call the Operational Stress Injury Social Support (OSISS) Program at 1-800-883-6094.

Assessment

The Carewest OSI Clinic’s mission is to provide the highest quality of assessment, treatment, and support services to its clients.

All assessments for OSIs are comprehensive, thorough and confidential. There are a number of different steps in the assessment process.

Step 1: Intake

Once the OSI Clinic receives a referral, the intake coordinator will review the referral for appropriateness and will ensure all documentation is complete.

The intake coordinator may call or meet with the client and/or the referral source for additional information including:

  • The reason for the referral to the OSI Clinic from the client’s perspective;
  • Brief history of professional service (i.e. deployments, military or policing service);
  • Social support, past and present professional help;
  • History of the client’s illness;
  • Current main problems;
  • Current stressors;
  • Client’s expectations and client’s availability.

Once the referral is accepted, the Clinic will contact the client to make an appointment and a copy of the appointment letter will be sent to referral source.

Step 2: Assessment

Once the referral is accepted the client will participate in a psychological and/or psychiatric assessment. The assessment serves a dual purpose as it confirms a mental health diagnosis and also helps govern what type of therapy will be used by the therapist. Results of the assessment are shared with clients and clients are encouraged to ask questions.
A comprehensive assessment is necessary if clients have submitted an application for a pension award through Veteran Affairs Canada.

Step 3: Treatment Plan Development

Once the assessment is complete, the OSI clinical team will meet and develop a treatment/service plan that best fits the client’s needs. A treatment plan is always made in collaboration with the client. The client’s care is directed to the most appropriate health care member(s) on the team.

All necessary arrangements are made including appointments or other specific details. A meeting with family members may occur before treatment begins in some situations.

Treatment

The Carewest OSI Clinic’s mission is to provide the highest quality assessment, treatment, and support services to its clients. Treatments generally include talk therapy, trauma-focused therapy, pharmacotherapy or medication, couples and family therapy, group courses and supportive therapy.

Our services include

Our services include:

– Counselling

  • Individual counselling
  • Relationship and family counselling

– Groups

  • Group therapy and skills training

– Medication treatment

– Psycho-education

  • Education for people, family members and other health care providers

– Referrals to other specialized services and links to community support.
– Consultation and education to community health care professionals.

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