FAQ for Personal Development Programs
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- What Happens When I get a Referral to the Personal Development Program?
- What is a Psychoeducational Group?
- How Do I Access Services?
- What Can I Expect from Counselling?
- Do You Provide Childcare?
- What is the Difference Between a Psychometrist, Psychologist and Psychiatrist?
- Is There Any Cost Involved In Your Program?
- What Are Your Hours of Service?
Answers
1. What Happens When I get a Referral to the Personal Development Program?
Referrals to the Personal Development Program usually come through Thunder Bay Mental Health Programs, of which we are a partner agency. After your referral has been received, a letter will be mailed to you confirming receipt of your referral. A second letter will be sent when an intake interview is available for you. The intake interview takes about an hour and is an opportunity for you to meet with one of our clinicians to explain what your concerns are and for us to obtain additional information we need in determining how to best help you.
Several outcomes may arise from this intake interview. If your concerns are best met through another agency, we will either try to connect you with one of our partner agencies through Thunder Bay Mental Health Programs or with the most appropriate community agency. If it seems as if your needs can best be met through our program at the Personal Development Program, we will discuss some of the treatment options available and in collaboration with you, we will develop an initial treatment plan. Treatment options can include psychological or psychiatric consultation, individual counselling and psychoeducational groups.
2. What is a Psychoeducational Group?
The Personal Development Program offers several "psychoeducational groups" that you can take advantage of such as Stress Management, Anger Management, Assertiveness Training, etc. The common features in these types of groups is that they focus on a specific topic, they are time-limited (usually 6-8 sessions), and they are mainly educational in nature. Most clients find this type of group or workshop fairly comfortable to be in. Although personal sharing is welcomed as it pertains to the topic, it is not necessarily an expectation of the groups. Think of it more in terms of a workshop where you can learn new behaviours, skills and attitudes.
3. How Do I Access Services?
The most common way of accessing services is through a referral from your family physician. This is our usual requirement in order to meet the mandate of the Public Hospital Act. However, sometimes, another agency will make a referral on your behalf and that is acceptable as well. If you are unable to get a referral in these two ways please contact the Personal Development Program yourself and ask to speak to the Team Leader and we will look at how we can meet your needs.
4. What Can I Expect from Counselling?
You will meet with your counsellor to discuss the reasons why you were referred for counseling. The counselor wants to find out what the problem areas in your life are and also identify personal strengths and supports. You and your therapist will collaboratively design a treatment plan with specific goals to work on. Over time, you will work towards your personal goals and build on coping skills to achieve those goals.
5. Do You Provide Childcare?
Unfortunately, childcare is not provided through our program.
6. What is the Difference Between a Psychometrist, Psychologist and Psychiatrist?
These titles are often confusing to our clients. It mainly refers to the education and training that these professionals have. A psychometrist has a Master's level training in Psychology. A psychologist has a Doctorate in Psychology and a psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has gone on to get specialized training in Psychiatry.
7. Is There Any Cost Involved In Your Program?
There is no cost involved. Our services are covered under OHIP and you will be asked to bring your OHIP card with you to your initial intake interview.
8. What Are Your Hours of Service?
Our program services run from 8:30 a.m. till 4:30 p.m. Most of the psychoeducational groups run once or twice a week for an hour and a half at either 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. Individual counselling sessions are scheduled for one hour with the last appointment available at 3:30 p.m.
