Ontario Structured Psychotherapy in Toronto: Free Therapy and How to Refer Yourself

Ontario Structured Psychotherapy is delivered through regional networks. Here it is Ontario Structured Psychotherapy at CAMH, coordinated by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) for the Toronto region, in collaboration with partner organizations.

The network gives this as the area it serves:

• The Toronto region

CAMH's page says only that it coordinates the program for the Toronto region. It does not list municipalities or neighbourhoods. CMHA York Region and South Simcoe separately lists North York and North Etobicoke among the areas it serves. Ontario Health lists CAMH as the network for the Toronto Region, which it describes as the city of Toronto. If you live in North York or North Etobicoke, ask both networks which one covers your address.

If you live somewhere else, the provincial Ontario Structured Psychotherapy guide lists the network for every region.

CAMH accepts self-referral through an online form, and health care providers can also refer.

CAMH's page lists self-referral and health care provider referral as two separate routes. It does not say a doctor's referral is required for this program.

1. Complete CAMH's online self-referral form.
2. After a referral is submitted, CAMH says Access CAMH will contact you with information about next steps.
3. If you need help with the form, call (416) 535-8501, extension 36777. For questions about the program, email osp.info@camh.ca.

Phone

(416) 535-8501, extension 36777 (for help with the self-referral process)

Email

osp.info@camh.ca

Hours

CAMH does not state hours for the OSP extension. Its general intake line, Access CAMH (416-535-8501, option 2), answers Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, and is closed on weekends and statutory holidays.

Referral form

The network's online referral form

Contact details are copied from the network's own pages as of October 7, 2026. Check them on the network's page before you rely on them.

• Adults 18 and over who live in Ontario.
• Depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, posttraumatic stress or difficulty coping with stress.
• A formal diagnosis is not required.
• Willing to complete brief questionnaires at each session and to practise exercises between sessions. CAMH's self-check describes this as a few hours each week.
• Ages 15 to 17: CAMH directs youth to BounceBack, which is run by the Canadian Mental Health Association.

This network publishes the following criteria for who the program is not suitable for:

• High risk of suicide, a recent suicide attempt (the program page says in the past 3 months, while CAMH's clinician guide says the past 6 months), or high risk of harm to others
• Self-harming behaviours that are the main focus of clinical attention
• Symptoms of mania, hypomania or a psychotic disorder that are not well controlled
• Symptoms of a personality disorder or emotion regulation difficulties that are the main focus of clinical attention
• Significant difficulty with cognitive understanding or memory
• Seeking medication management only, because OSP does not offer psychiatry services
• Problematic substance use that would interfere with attending and engaging in CBT
• Eating disorder symptoms that are the main focus of clinical attention

Being excluded is not the end of the road. See the other routes to covered care, and ask a doctor or nurse practitioner whether a psychiatry referral makes sense for you.

CAMH describes OSP as free, publicly funded, short-term cognitive behavioural therapy. Its page does not say whether an OHIP card is required.

• Self-led resources guided by a coach or clinician, available online or by phone.
• Group or individual cognitive behavioural therapy, offered in person or virtually.
• CAMH's low-intensity services sheet lists BounceBack telephone coaching, MindBeacon internet-based CBT for 12 weeks, clinician-assisted bibliotherapy by phone, and Tranquility internet-based CBT for 12 weeks.

CAMH's page does not give the session length or number of weeks for individual or group therapy, and it names no in-person OSP site.

Languages and pathways the network states: Interpretation services are available in many languages, in CAMH's words; CAMH's low-intensity services sheet lists BounceBack coaching and workbooks in English, French, Arabic, Farsi, Traditional Chinese and Spanish.

This network does not publish a waiting time or an intake-contact timeframe, so we cannot give you one. We do not estimate or average waits. If timing matters, ask the network when you refer yourself, and start a second route in parallel, such as BounceBack.

• Self-referral at CAMH is its own online form. The phone extension is for help with the form, and osp.info@camh.ca is for questions.
• CAMH publishes a clinician exclusionary-criteria checklist (a PDF) as well as the program page. The two word some criteria differently, so ask the program if a criterion might apply to you.
• CAMH lists what OSP does not provide: dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), crisis management, housing support, case management, chronic pain management, medication management, financial support, substance use counselling, relationship counselling and legal services.
• If OSP is not the right fit, CAMH points to Access CAMH, its general intake line. Access CAMH says most CAMH mental health services need a referral completed by a physician or nurse practitioner.

CAMH lists crisis management among the things OSP does not provide, and high risk of suicide as an exclusion. For emergencies CAMH says to call 911 or go to your local hospital emergency department.

For immediate suicide crisis support, call or text 9-8-8 at any hour.