Online Therapy Unit for Service, Education, and Research

Background:


Depression and anxiety are common, disabling, and undertreated conditions. Research shows that Online-CBT is effective, but is not yet readily available to residents in Saskatchewan. CBT involves helping clients learn how to identify and make changes to problematic thoughts (cognitions) and actions (behaviours). Therapist-guided Online-CBT occurs when clients review educational material online and correspond with their therapist over a secure messaging system. Online-CBT has many advantages including being more available, convenient and efficient than CBT delivered in person.


The Online Therapy Unit for Service, Education, and Research (Online Therapy USER) is a new online mental health unit. The unit is led by Dr. Heather Hadjistavropoulos from the University of Regina and makes use of online therapy programs that were initially developed in Australia, either at Swinburne University or MacQuarie University.

The Online Therapy Unit allows trained therapists to provide Online Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (Online-CBT) to residents of Saskatchewan who have difficulties with depression, generalized anxiety, and/or panic. The Unit also provides education and training to diverse registered health professionals and students on how to deliver services online. This unit is also responsible for conducting research on how to best train therapists and deliver online-CBT in Saskatchewan.

We currently have four programs available:

1) The Wellbeing Course

2) Maternal Depression Online

3) GAD for Older Adults

4) Wellbeing after Cancer

For more information on the unit call the unit coordinator, Marcie Nugent at 337-3331 or send a fax to 585-6263. You may also email her at Online.Therapy.User@uregina.ca

Funding Agencies for this Project Include:


  • Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
  • Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF).