Mental Health Care - Care Team
Your care team will work with Mental Health Care partners in the community to provide care closer to home. Your care is also supported by our Mental Health Partners.
Behaviour Analyst
Behaviour therapists work within an interdisciplinary team using Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) to change socially relevant behaviour. Behaviour therapists use a variety of assessment techniques to determine why an individual engages in problem behaviour and investigate factors that may contribute to the behaviour. Positive based strategies are developed to teach relevant skills and decrease maladaptive behaviour. ABA is most widely used with individuals with autism and developmental disabilities but is also effective in treating individuals with mental illness.
Coordinators
This role provides managerial and clinical support to a program’s team members, and ensures that patients receive excellent clinical care. Coordinators can support any concerns/discussions with patients about their care, and liaise with the clinical teams if needed.
Developmental Service Worker (DSW)
A DSW supports people in all stages of life who have a developmental disability. DSWs have core values which focus on social justice, empowerment, dignity, self-worth, human relationships and integrity.
Dietitian
The registered dietitians provide individual and group counselling in all aspects of nutrition including diabetes education, healthy eating and weight management. The dietitians have an excellent understanding of the impact of mental health on nutrition. They will work with patients and families to answer nutrition questions and plan nutritional care.
Nurse
Nurses are an integral part of your health care team. During your stay, you, your family and support system will partner with registered nurses, registered practical nurses, clinical nurse specialists and/or nurse practitioners. A nurse provides skilled support, a safe environment, medication management, proactive interventions and treatments with patients and their families, while advocating for the unique needs, preferences and rights of those entrusted to their care. Nurses join with patients and families to support them in their journey toward recovery and optimal functioning, using best practices.
Occupational Therapy Assistant
This role is supervised by an Occupational Therapist and supports the patient’s Occupational Therapy goals, as co-created by the therapist and the patient. They may be assisting patients with relearning familiar or new tasks/occupations that their health condition has impacted, and can support patients by providing supervised access to the community for the patients reintegration.
Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapy is about helping people do activities that are important for them—looking after themselves and their homes, working and being involved in their communities. Occupational therapists support people in doing activities (occupations) so they can be healthy, feel good about themselves and manage daily life.
Pharmacist
Pharmacists are medication experts - they are extensively trained in the appropriate use of medications, including herbal supplements, prescription and non-prescription medications. They work with the patient’s care team to regularly review medication orders and provide drug information to ensure safe and effective medication use for each patient.
Physiotherapist
The role of the physiotherapist is to maximize the independence of a patient’s physical function. The physiotherapist also educates patients and staff in the proper use of mobility equipment and in the performance of exercises in a safe manner. Exercise programs are done in either an individual or in a group setting. Patients are assessed and a treatment plan is implemented with on-going reassessment.
Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a doctor who specializes in assessing, diagnosing and treating mental disorders. A psychiatrist may use a variety of psychotherapies including facilitating psychiatric rehabilitation to treat patients as well as administering medication.
Psychologist
Psychologists are experts in human behaviour. In a mental health setting, they provide assessments, treatment and rehabilitation. Psychologists also offer consultation to other team members, and contribute in the areas of applied research and education related to mental health issues.
Psychological Associates
Psychological Associates are practitioners of psychology who deliver similar services as psychologists. Psychological services are sometimes provided by non-regulated practitioners called psychometrists. Psychometrists work under the professional supervision of a psychologist, and are often employed to do testing or to provide structured forms of psychological therapy.
Rehabilitation Counsellor
Rehabilitation counsellors provide varied and specialized services. Their primary function is to assist with the development of vocational skills to enable individuals with disabilities to secure gainful employment and coping skills to enable them to function with dignity and independence in their community. Rehabilitation counsellors work collaboratively to evaluate the changing needs of the consumer and community to ensure the required services are being offered.
Social Worker
Sometimes problems with family, relationships, illness/mental illness, or practical issues like finances and housing can cause concern and worry that may affect our physical and mental health and well-being. A social worker can help you with these concerns. Social workers in mental health have specialized skills in counselling, psychotherapy, family work, group work, crisis intervention, community liaison and discharge planning. Often, the social worker is the main contact person for the patient, family or community.
Speech Language Pathologist
The Speech Language Pathologist is an integral member of the interprofessional team in the area of mental health. They work to identify, assess, treat, (re)habilitate, and prevent communication disorders. This includes cognitive and social communication, language, speech clarity, and voice, and/or swallowing disorders (dysphagia). SLP also diagnose and manage swallowing difficulties which may concentrate on swallowing exercises, safe swallowing strategies, texture modification, and caregiver/patient education.
Spiritual Care Provider
A chaplain provides a number of services including emotional and spiritual support and counselling, crisis intervention, grief and bereavement counselling, weekly meditation sessions, spirituality groups, worship and sacramental ministry. Chaplains work with patients as well as their friends and family to find spiritual care and support within their hospital experience. Spiritual care supports people from any religious or non-religious background. Feel free to ask your care provider to connect you with spiritual care, if you wish.
Students
Students can be a part of your care team at times. This is integral to developing future clinicians through practice in their discipline areas within hospital and community settings. They are supervised by an experienced clinical preceptor and actively contribute to patient care with the multidisciplinary teams.
Therapeutic Recreationist
Participating in leisure activities provides structure to one’s day. Therapeutic recreation professionals assist individuals with exploring, resuming and pursuing leisure interests with an optimal level of independence. Therapeutic recreationists provide a supportive setting in which to practice and apply skills related to leisure interests of choice in both the hospital and community.