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.

Any client or patient at BRIA who works with more than one healthcare professional will benefit from BRIA’s team-based care. This leads to cohesive care so you will not fall through the cracks.

Your Care Coordinator is at the centre of the BRIA care system. You may connect with her at the start of your journey with BRIA and she will be someone who you can connect with at other points along the way. Whether you need therapy or work with one of our other healthcare providers, your team of professionals will share information and updates about you and your progress, in order to best support you,  guide you, and ensure you are getting the care you need. 

At BRIA, we value the privacy of your personal health care information. 

We do not save the information from the quiz responses that you entered on our website. 

Once you have agreed to meet with a BRIA Care Coordinator for a MINI Assessment, your information will be entered into our electronic medical record, Jane APP. In Jane APP, all of your information is stored privately and securely. Each BRIA health care provider who you see will input information into your secure electronic chart on Jane App. Once you begin BRIA services, we will set up an account for you on Greenspace, for symptom tracking. This online service is also PHIPA compliant and will store the information that you enter in a secure manner.

The cost of BRIA services varies depending on the exact service. For the most up- to-date pricing information, please refer to our booking site, https://betterbria.janeapp.com/.

BRIA’s MEDI Hormone Assessment is a thorough hormone assessment that will address your concerns and symptoms during the menopause transition and in menopause.

The MEDI Hormone Assessment is done by a Nurse Practitioner who reviews your current concerns and medical history.  At the end of the MEDI, you will be provided with comprehensive treatment recommendations: health, lifestyle and medication options, including menopause hormone therapy, if needed.

To access the MEDI, start with a MINI Assessment with our Care Coordinators to see if this is right for you.

If you have any questions, please email care@betterbria.com.