Common Inquiries

At BRIA, we are trying to decrease the amount of work for PCPs by streamlining the patient care and referral process. This includes:

• Patients self-refer to BRIA: Patients book the MINI Mental Health Assessment directly, and are given an individualized Care Plan which may include recommendations for a more in-depth mental health or hormonal assessment. Patients can book here
• PCPs are sent an easy-to-complete referral form: If the patient requires a MAXI Mental Health Assessment which includes a psychiatric consultation, an easily-fillable referral form will be sent to the PCP. The patient is informed that their PCP may ask them to book an appointment to complete the form. 
• Follow-up care is offered to ensure the patient is getting better: As part of the MAXI Mental Health Assessment, BRIA Psychiatrists provide 5 follow-up sessions (covered by provincial healthcare plans) to ensure symptoms are improving. Patients may also be followed by their Care Coordinator along the care journey.
• Comprehensive Care is provided: BRIA has expert clinicians at each life stage, including psychiatrists, therapists, sleep consultants, and other allied health specialists. BRIA offers one-stop shop services to meet all patients’ mental health needs– and there is no waitlist! 

Our goal is to collaborate with, and make things easier for, the PCP. Please email us at hello@betterbria.com for more information.

We have created the MINI Mental Health Assessment to be your starting point with BRIA. There are many benefits to starting with the MINI:

• For Therapist Matching: Your BRIA Care Coordinator will get to know you and can match you well with a therapist who specializes in your stage and concerns and who you are likely to connect with. (You can book many therapies directly, but we have found that people have strong success in therapy when they are matched via the MINI.) 
• For the Right Services: You will get a personalized Care Plan with suggestions for services that can help you at this stage. We want to be sure you that BRIA can offer you services that are suitable for your needs.
• To be referred to any of the BRIA Assessments: In order to have a MAXI Mental Health Assessment (including psychiatry consult), ADHD Assessment, or MEDI Hormone Health Assessment (for perimenopause or PMS), you must first do a MINI.

You can book a MINI directly here, or by pasting this URL into your browser: https://betterbria.janeapp.com/#/mini-mental-health-assessment .

BRIA is not an urgent care service. Since we only offer virtual services, we do not offer care to those with an acute mental illness who are better seen in a hospital or in-person setting.

This includes: 

People in crisis

People who have been admitted to a psychiatric hospital within the past 3 months

People who are suicidal or who have been treated for suicidality in the past 3 months

People in a manic episode or who have been manic in the past 3 months

People who have active psychotic symptoms or an untreated psychotic illness

People with active substance use concerns, or who have had active concerns over the past 3 months

If you are in crisis, please go to the nearest emergency department, call 911, or call or text 988, the Suicide Crisis Helpline.

Most benefits plans cover certain types of mental health services. It is highly likely that most of BRIA’s credentialed healthcare providers will be covered by your specific benefits plan or health spending account.

No, we are not offering direct billing at this time. Please check with your benefits provider to see what type of mental health coverage you have (specifically check coverage for RN nurses, Occupational Therapist, Registered Psychotherapist, Registered Social Worker, Registered Dietitian). BRIA professionals are covered by most benefits plans.

Yes! Men can book a few of our services directly: Supporting Partners Therapy, Couples Therapy, Sleep Therapy, Dietitian Care, and ADHD Assessments. For our full menu of services for men, booking can be completed here: https://betterbria.janeapp.com/

Yes! If you are female between the ages of 18-65 and are struggling with mental health or hormone concerns and wish to see if BRIA is right for you, please start with a free call to learn which BRIA services can help.

BRIA’s expert MD Psychiatrists offer medications (such as antidepressants) for women ages 18-65 across reproductive life stages, when needed, after a comprehensive assessment.

BRIA’s Nurse Practitioners may prescribe ADHD medications (such as psychostimulants) after a thorough assessment. Nurse Practitioners may also prescribe Menopause Hormone Therapy (MHT) or other medications after a MEDI Hormone Assessment for PMS or perimenopause symptoms.

Remember that medications are only part of the treatment plan; often therapy, sleep management, and lifestyle changes are required for a complete care plan (and BRIA offers all these services too!)

Start by booking a MINI Mental Health Assessment here.

BRIA MD psychiatrists are experts in treating pregnant and postpartum women. They also stay up to date with current safety evidence. After a MAXI Mental Health Assessment, medications, such as an antidepressant, may be prescribed. The BRIA Psychiatrists will review the benefits and risks of medication use with each patient, in particular when they are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Psychiatrists also provide “Preconception Counselling” for those who are on psychiatric medication and want to learn about the safety of their medication when planning a pregnancy or undergoing fertility treatment. Start by booking a MINI Mental Health Assessment here.

At BRIA, we understand the complex challenges and stresses of the fertility journey and its impact on mental health. BRIA clinicians have extensive experience treating individuals navigating the fertility journey and will provide evidence-based treatments with empathy. We offer comprehensive mental health services to support you and your partner as you navigate this experience.

In addition to individual therapy, we offer couples therapy and comprehensive mental health assessments, including medication reviews. BRIA also offers Implications Counselling. To learn what services will be most useful for you, start by booking a MINI here. Partners can book Supporting Partners Therapy directly here. 

At BRIA, we understand the trauma, deep sadness, and complexity of a pregnancy loss or termination and its impact on mental health. BRIA clinicians have extensive experience treating individuals who have gone through these experiences and will provide evidence-based treatments with empathy. We offer comprehensive mental health services to support you and your partner at this time.

In addition to individual therapy, we offer couples therapy and comprehensive mental health assessments, including medication reviews. To learn what services will be most useful for you, start by booking a MINI here. Partners can book Supporting Partners Therapy directly here.