Many people who have been with us since the clinics first opened will know that one of our biggest challenges when our daughter was young was finding a psychiatrist in the community who could work with children. Despite our efforts, the long waitlists and the fact that her case wasn’t considered “high priority” meant we waited for what felt like forever, until we eventually had to give up and explore other options.

A few years ago, we were introduced to a wonderful program called Psychotherapy Matters, a company founded by a husband-and-wife team (just like us!) who set out to bridge the gap between psychiatric assessments and ongoing care. They recognized how difficult it had become to access a psychiatrist, and that when patients finally did, appointments were often brief due to overwhelming demand. They also understood the immense value of having therapists and psychiatrists work together collaboratively to ensure the best possible outcomes for clients.

We’ve been fortunate to integrate this program into our services and have witnessed firsthand the incredible outcomes it can create for our clients. Because we often receive questions about how Psychotherapy Matters works and how clients can get involved, we wanted to take a moment to break down the process, so you can decide if this approach might be the right fit for you or your family.

How It Works:
To begin, you’ll start as a client with one of our therapists who is registered with the Psychotherapy Matters program. Typically, you’ll have 4–6 sessions with your therapist before a referral can be made. This allows the therapist to gain a strong understanding of your history, struggles, and goals, making the assessment process with the psychiatrist much smoother and more effective.

After those initial sessions, your therapist will complete the referral documentation and send it to your family doctor for review and signature. If you don’t currently have a family doctor, we’ll work with you to explore alternative options. Once the referral is signed, it’s sent to Psychotherapy Matters for processing.

After the referral is received and reviewed, your therapist will be able to access the booking portal and schedule your psychiatric assessment. Assessment appointments are typically booked about 6–8 weeks out, though wait times can vary depending on demand and psychiatrist availability.

On the day of your appointment, you can either come into the office to meet with your therapist and connect virtually with the psychiatrist, or you can join the session from home, with your therapist also joining via telehealth.

The assessment appointment usually lasts about two hours. The psychiatrist will spend the first 15 minutes consulting privately with your therapist to review your case before bringing you into the session. By the end of the appointment, a diagnosis (if applicable) will be provided, along with recommendations for medication, lifestyle changes, and therapeutic support.

A detailed report will then be sent to your family doctor, and you can request a copy directly from their office.

Final Thoughts
At the heart of it, programs like Psychotherapy Matters remind us that mental health care works best when professionals come together to support the whole person. By connecting therapists and psychiatrists directly, this approach helps clients get the timely, coordinated care they deserve.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, are on a waitlist or unsure where to start, this might be a great option to explore. Our team is here to walk you through the process and help you access the support that fits your needs. Free consultations are also available and we are able to make referrals to this program for children and adults.

For more information, call us at 519.302.2300 or email reception@brantmentalhealth.com.