At BRIA, we have created a mental health service where we are doing things a little differently. We are not offering direct access to a psychiatrist. Instead, we have created what is often called “a stepped care model” of service. This means that we offer people the type of care that we think is suitable to help the symptoms that they are dealing with. For example, evidence shows that women with more mild symptoms of anxiety or depression benefit most from talk therapy or counselling, while those with more severe symptoms may need to see a psychiatrist, as well as do therapy.
As a first step, the BRIA Care Coordinator may offer you a MINI Mental Health Assessment, where we will get to know you a bit and hear about your struggles. This way, we can be sure that you are getting the type of effective care you need, based on your current issues and concerns, and point you in the right direction. From there, the Care Coordinator may recommend a more in-depth mental health assessment by a mental health professional and an MD Psychiatrist.
If you are seen by the MD Psychiatrist, and prescribed medication, you will get brief follow-up to be sure that these are helpful and effective.
Our MD psychiatrists have designed specific BRIA care pathways for mild, moderate and severe symptoms, that also take into account significant life stressors. BRIA psychiatrists are available for consultation as part of the MAXI Mental Health Assessment, and for brief follow up to ensure medication is effective and well-tolerated, if that is deemed necessary, after a MINI Mental Health Assessment. MD Psychiatric services are covered by OHIP. BRIA psychiatrists are not available to provide long term care or regular therapy, but they may suggest you see a therapist, if it would benefit your needs. If you would like ongoing psychiatric care, please reach out to your local primary care provider for a referral to a psychiatrist in your community.
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.
Yes.
People often go to therapy to discuss a wide variety of concerns including how to manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviours, how to cope with conflict at home or at work, how to feel more confident, how to deal with issues from the past, and how to cope with new life stages and big changes that can be overwhelming. Sometimes people prefer to have one-on-one talk therapy with a trained counsellor to address these personal issues. Although talk therapy may feel scary or too vulnerable at first, people often find they feel better when they address the issues that have been bothering them under the guidance of a trusted therapist. Formal therapy or counselling is very different from venting with a close friend or trusted family member. A therapist is trained to help with mental health and relationship problems and can help patients examine and understand their issues in a new and productive way, in a private and confidential setting. BRIA therapists offer counselling to women at each reproductive life stage.
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are certified and trained healthcare providers who are authorized to provide a wide range of services to patients. In Ontario, NPs have completed a master’s degree in Advanced Practice Nursing, then they have passed a certification exam and are registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). They also must have extensive clinical practice experience before they can register with the CNO as an NP. Once registered, they can provide a range of healthcare services, including diagnosing and treating common illnesses and injuries, prescribing medications, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, and providing health education and counselling.
Nurse practitioners in Ontario have an important role in improving access to medical care for patients, particularly in underserved areas of healthcare and remote areas. They are also important members of a healthcare team and help to promote better health outcomes for patients and to reduce the burden on the health care system.
At BRIA, our Nurse Practitioners do our MEDI and ADHD Assessments and also offer other mental health assessments and follow-up services.
The MEDI Assessment is a thorough hormone assessment that will address your concerns and symptoms during the menopause transition (“perimenopause”) and in menopause. The MEDI can also assess other hormonal concerns, including those related to contraception methods that may affect mood or anxiety, or severe premenstrual symptoms.
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. You will then be offered brief follow-up with the Nurse Practitioner to ensure you are on the right track. We will share the assessment and management plan with your primary care provider.
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.
During major life stresses or transition times, people often find that their relationship with their partner takes a hit. This can happen when couples experience the immense burdens of fertility treatments, pregnancy loss, pregnancy itself, becoming new parents, or when grown children leave home. These are stressful times and even the best relationships can suffer. Plus, if a relationship was strained before these circumstances, it can often get worse under stress. People often think that couples therapy signifies the end of a relationship so they are afraid to take part. In reality, it is a helpful way for members of a couple to communicate openly, in a private and confidential setting, and in the presence of a neutral third party. Couples can effectively delve into their concerns, their anger, and their feelings when in couples counseling. Couples therapy can lead to a much better relationship and set the stage for improved communication and happiness as a couple, at any life stage.
At this time, BRIA does not offer group therapy or support groups. We do offer educational seminars around an array of topics that are of interest to both patients and healthcare providers. Please sign up for our Newsletter here to stay in touch and learn more.
Many women are sensitive to hormonal changes. This may happen in the days or weeks before your period starts, while using the Pill, when taking fertility medication, and during the menopause transition. Regardless of the time of life or circumstances, women who are hormonally-vulnerable to mood changes, irritability, and anxiety, deeply suffer. A BRIA nurse practitioner can help assess and treat hormonal concerns to help you feel better and function at your best.
Many women struggle with eating and body image issues. BRIA’s Registered Dietitians take a “non-diet” and “weight inclusive” approach to help women at all life stages develop a plan to address their hormonal fluctuations, healthy movement goals, and eating for nourishment and satisfaction. BRIA’s Registered Dietitians have been chosen because they take a balanced and sensitive approach to women’s health issues. They specialize in offering care to those who may have irregular menstrual cycles, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or gestational diabetes. BRIA’s Dietitians can help address a wide array of eating, hormone, and weight concerns for those trying to conceive, in pregnancy, postpartum or perimenopause phases.
Oh yes! You have come to the right place. Insomnia is one of the most common issues that women struggle with at any life stage. At BRIA we know that insomnia and poor quality sleep can impact your mental health and overall functioning; and that is why BRIA has a sleep consultant who can help.. Our expert sleep consultant can assess your current sleep patterns and support you to develop a more effective way to get a good night’s sleep. Our sleep expert can improve the sleep of both adults–even people going through the menopause transition– as well as babies and toddlers. BRIA also offers groups and educational webinars aimed at improving your sleep.
The BRIA therapists are licensed health care providers– nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, psychotherapists, and psychiatrists– and are highly trained women’s mental health care practitioners. They have been chosen to join the BRIA team because of their expertise in women’s health, their compassion, and their commitment to helping BRIA patients feel better.
