Specialized Mental Health Services for Veterans, RCMP, CAF Members, & First Responders
The Canadian Centre for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy provides specialized Operational Stress
Injury (OSI) services for individuals impacted by trauma, occupational stress, PTSD, anxiety,
depression, burnout, and other service-related mental health concerns.
Our team offers evidence-based psychological assessment and treatment services tailored to the
unique experiences of:
Select an occupation below to explore specialized mental health services tailored to your unique role and experiences:
Services are available in Ottawa, Toronto, and virtually across Ontario
What Is an Operational Stress Injury (OSI)?
An Operational Stress Injury (OSI) refers to persistent psychological difficulties that develop as a result of operational duties in military, policing, emergency response, healthcare, or other high-stress occupations. Operational Stress Injuries can develop after exposure to traumatic events, repeated high-pressure situations, morally distressing experiences, or chronic occupational stress.
OSIs may affect thoughts, emotions, relationships, physical health, work performance, sleep, concentration, and overall quality of life.
Common Operational Stress Injuries Include:
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
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Complex trauma
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Anxiety disorders
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Depression
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Panic attacks
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Burnout
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Moral injury
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Substance use concerns
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Sleep difficulties
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Anger and irritability
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Adjustment difficulties
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Occupational stress reactions
At the Canadian Centre for CBT, we provide evidence-based psychological treatment
specifically adapted to the realities of operational work environments and trauma exposure.
Specialized PTSD & Trauma Therapy for Veterans, RCMP & First Responders
Our clinicians provide specialized trauma-focused treatment for individuals experiencing PTSD and trauma-related difficulties connected to military service, policing, emergency response work,
healthcare work, and other operational environments.
When treating trauma it is important to use an evidence-based intervention to maximize the chances at recovery. Our evidence-based interventions are typically effective in 10 – 30 sessions. You should not be waiting years to experience recovery from your trauma.
Treatment plans are individualized and may include:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) Psychological Services
The Canadian Centre for CBT provides Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) psychological assessment and treatment services for eligible veterans and former RCMP members.
Our clinicians are registered Blue Cross providers and can assist with:
VAC disability assessments​
Treatment planning
Psychological assessments
Evidence-based psychotherapy
PTSD assessments
Ongoing VAC treatment services
We understand the VAC referral and authorization process and aim to make accessing services as straightforward and supportive as possible.
RCMP Psychological Assessment & Therapy Services
We provide specialized psychological services for current and former RCMP members experiencing operational stress injuries, trauma-related concerns, anxiety, depression, burnout,
and occupational stress.
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Our clinicians can complete:
RCMP psychodiagnostic assessments
PTSD asessments
Return-to-work assessments
Treatment recommendations
Evidence-based psychotherapy
Services are available in Ottawa, Toronto, and virtually across Ontario
Mental Health Services for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Members
The Canadian Centre for CBT provides specialized psychological assessment and therapy
services for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members, including active service members, reservists, veterans, and transitioning personnel.
We recognize that military service can involve unique psychological stressors, including operational demands, repeated relocations, prolonged separations from family, high-risk environments, exposure to traumatic events, and the ongoing pressure associated with military culture and readiness.
Services are Available for:
Active CAF Members
We support currently serving Canadian Armed Forces personnel experiencing operational stress, deployment-related difficulties, trauma symptoms, occupational burnout, anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns that may impact functioning, readiness, relationships, or quality of life.
Reservists
Reservists often navigate the unique challenge of balancing military responsibilities with civilian careers, education, and family life. Our clinicians understand the distinct pressures associated with reserve service, including deployment transitions, identity shifts, operational trauma exposure, and reintegration into civilian routines following service demands.
Veterans
Transitioning out of military service can bring significant psychological, emotional, occupational, and relational changes. We provide therapy and psychological assessment services for veterans navigating post-service adjustment, identity changes, operational trauma, chronic stress, depression, anxiety, PTSD, reintegration difficulties, and challenges reconnecting with civilian life.
Military Families
Military service can also affect spouses, partners, children, and family systems. We provide
support for military families coping with operational stress, deployment cycles, caregiver strain,
communication difficulties, relationship stress, and the emotional impact of trauma and transition
experiences within the family system.
The Canadian Centre for CBT offers services in Ottawa and Toronto, as well as virtual therapy across Ontario, allowing CAF members, veterans, and military families to access specialized mental health care regardless of location.
Therapy for First Responders
Our clinicians offer evidence-based psychological assessment and therapy services tailored to the unique experiences and occupational realities of first responders.
We work with individuals experiencing operational stress injuries, PTSD, anxiety, depression, burnout, cumulative stress, moral injury, sleep difficulties, and other mental health concerns related to frontline work.
We Provide Therapy Services For:
Police officers
Firefighters
Correctional officers
Nurses
Crisis response workers
RCMP members
Paramedics
Emergency dispatchers
Physicians
Public safety personnel
Healthcare workers
Emergency department staff
Many first responders become accustomed to functioning under intense pressure and may continue working despite significant emotional distress.
Over time, repeated exposure to trauma, suffering, violence, medical emergencies, workplace stress, or critical incidents can begin to affect mood, sleep, concentration, relationships, physical health, and overall quality of life.
THERAPY FOR POLICE OFFICERS & RCMP MEMBERS
Police officers and RCMP members are frequently exposed to violence, crisis situations, traumatic incidents, public scrutiny, operational pressure, and cumulative stress over the course of their careers.
We provide specialized therapy related to policing and public safety work.
THERAPY FOR FIREFIGHTERS
Firefighters may experience repeated exposure to medical emergencies, fatal incidents,
community crises, and physically dangerous environments.
We support firefighters coping with repeated exposure to high-intensity emergency situations.
THERAPY FOR PARAMEDICS
Paramedics often work in unpredictable and high-pressure environments involving repeated
exposure to medical trauma, critical incidents, loss, and crisis response.
We provide evidence-based treatment for paramedics and emergency medical personnel.
THERAPY FOR CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS
Correctional officers work in environments that can involve chronic hypervigilance, exposure to violence, safety concerns, institutional stress, and ongoing psychological strain.
We provide support for the mental challenges associated with correctional work.
​THERAPY FOR DISPATCHERS & EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS PERSONNEL
Emergency dispatchers and communications personnel are often exposed to traumatic content indirectly through repeated crisis calls, emergency coordination, and high-stakes decision making under pressure.
Although dispatchers may not be physically present at emergency
scenes, the cumulative psychological impact of this work can be significant. We provide therapy to help cope with this impact.
THERAPY FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS
Healthcare professionals frequently work in emotionally demanding environments involving
medical trauma, high workloads, patient loss, moral distress, compassion fatigue, and chronic
stress.
We provide specialized mental health support for nurses, physicians, emergency
department staff, hospital workers, and other healthcare professionals experiencing challenges.
Common Challenges We Can Help With:
PTSD
Anxiety
Burnout
Moral Injury
Reintegration Challenges
Sleep Difficulties
Occupational Stress
Depression
Trauma Exposure
Emotional Exhaustion
The Canadian Centre for CBT offers in-person services in Ottawa and Toronto, as well as virtual therapy across Ontario, allowing first responders and frontline workers to access specialized mental health care in a flexible and confidential manner.
Family Support Services
Operational stress injuries and trauma-related mental health concerns can affect not only the individual experiencing them, but also their relationships, family system, and support network.
At the Canadian Centre for CBT, we recognize the important role that spouses, partners, caregivers, and family members often play in supporting recovery, navigating stress, and maintaining stability during difficult periods.
Family members are often deeply affected by the realities of operational work, including deployments, shift work, chronic stress, trauma exposure, emotional withdrawal, hypervigilance, irritability, sleep disruption, occupational burnout, and the transition between operational and home environments.
Over time, these experiences can contribute to relationship strain, communication difficulties, caregiver exhaustion, emotional distancing, and increased stress within the family system.
Spouse Support Services:
Spouses and partners of veterans, military personnel, and first responders often carry significant emotional responsibilities while supporting loved ones coping with trauma, operational stress, burnout, or mental health concerns. We provide spouse support services focused on emotional support, stress management, communication skills, relationship functioning, and navigating the challenges that can emerge within operational family systems.
Caregiver Support Services:
Caregivers supporting individuals with PTSD, trauma-related concerns, depression, anxiety, or chronic operational stress can experience significant emotional fatigue and burnout themselves. Our caregiver support services aim to help caregivers better understand mental health concerns, develop coping strategies, maintain boundaries, and access support for their own wellbeing while continuing to support others.
Child Support Services:
Children can be significantly impacted by operational stress injuries, trauma exposure, frequent absences, deployments, shift work, and the emotional strain that can occur within military and first responder families. We provide support for children experiencing anxiety, behavioural changes, emotional distress, adjustment difficulties, family stress, or challenges related to a parent’s mental health concerns or occupational demands. Our clinicians work collaboratively with families to help children build emotional understanding, coping skills, resilience, and a greater sense of stability and support within the family system.
The Canadian Centre for CBT offers family therapy, caregiver support, and couples counselling services in Ottawa and Toronto, as well as virtual therapy across Ontario, making specialized support accessible for military families, veteran families, and first responder families throughout the province.
Why Choose the Canadian Centre for CBT for OSI Services?
Our team is committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality psychological care that is grounded in current clinical research and tailored to the unique realities of operational work and trauma exposure.
Evidence Based Psychological Care
Our clinicians use evidence-based treatments supported by psychological research and clinical guidelines for PTSD, trauma, anxiety, depression, and operational stress injuries. Treatment approaches are individualized and adapted to each client’s experiences, goals, and occupational context.
Specialized CBT & Trauma Expertise
The Canadian Centre for CBT specializes in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and trauma-focused treatment approaches. Our clinicians have expertise in working with trauma exposure, operational stress injuries, PTSD, moral injury, burnout, and cumulative occupational stress experienced by military personnel, veterans, RCMP members, and first responders.​
Experience with VAC & Operational Service Systems
We understand the unique systems, referral pathways, and administrative processes associated with Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), RCMP psychological services, and operational stress injury care. Our team regularly works with veterans, former RCMP members, and individuals navigating VAC-related assessment and treatment services.
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Multidisciplinary Mental Health Care
The Canadian Centre for CBT offers multidisciplinary care through a team of psychologists, psychotherapists, social workers, and supervised clinicians with specialized training in evidence-based therapy and trauma treatment. This collaborative approach allows us to match clients with clinicians whose expertise best fits their needs and goals.
Clinician Training & CBT Leadership
In addition to providing clinical services, the Canadian Centre for CBT is actively involved in clinician training, consultation, and the dissemination of evidence-based psychological treatments. Our team regularly provides CBT and trauma-focused training to clinicians and organizations and remains engaged in ongoing professional development, research, and clinical education.
Flexible Access to Care Across Ontario
We offer in-person psychological services in Ottawa and Toronto, as well as virtual therapy across Ontario, allowing veterans, first responders, RCMP members, CAF personnel, and their families to access specialized care regardless of location.
Ottawa
Toronto
Virtual across Ontario
Timely Access to Services
We understand that timely access to mental health support is important, particularly for individuals experiencing significant stress, trauma-related symptoms, or occupational difficulties. Our administrative team works closely with clients to help connect them with appropriate services and available clinicians without any delay. We do not have a waitlist and will ensure that we can see you immediately.
Compassionate & Individualized Care
At the Canadian Centre for CBT, we recognize that every individual’s experiences with trauma, operational stress, and mental health are different. We aim to provide a supportive, collaborative, and respectful treatment environment where clients feel understood, empowered, and actively involved in their care.
Operational Stress Injury Services in Ottawa
Our Ottawa psychology clinic provides specialized Operational Stress Injury assessment and treatment services for veterans, RCMP members, CAF personnel, and first responders throughout Ottawa and Eastern Ontario.
Conveniently located in Centretown Ottawa, our clinic offers in-person and virtual psychological services.
Operational Stress Injury Services in Toronto
Our Toronto psychology clinic provides specialized Operational Stress Injury assessment and treatment services for veterans, RCMP members, CAF personnel, and first responders throughout the Greater Toronto Area.
Conveniently located in downtown Toronto, our clinic offers in-person and virtual psychological services.
Virtual OSI Therapy Across Ontario
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The Canadian Centre for CBT offers virtual OSI therapy and online psychological services across Ontario for veterans, Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members, RCMP members, first responders, healthcare workers, and individuals experiencing operational stress injuries, PTSD, trauma-related concerns, anxiety, depression, and occupational stress.
Our secure virtual therapy services allow clients to access specialized care from the comfort and privacy of their home, regardless of where they are located in Ontario.
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Our Virtual Services Provide:
Evidence-based treatment with experienced virtual psychologists and trauma experts
Online therapy for veterans
Virtual PTSD therapy
Telehealth trauma therapy
Virtual Services Can be Helpful for Individuals with:
Demanding schedules
Mobility limitations
Shift work responsibilities
Preference for flexibility and accessibility
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is an operational stress injury?
An operational stress injury (OSI) refers to persistent psychological difficulties that develop as a result of operational duties, trauma exposure, or chronic occupational stress. OSIs can affect veterans, military personnel, RCMP members, first responders, healthcare workers, and other frontline professionals.
How do I start therapy?
You can contact our administrative team by phone, email, or through our online contact form to begin the intake process. We will help match you with an appropriate clinician based on your needs, preferences, and service goals.
Do you provide PTSD assessments?
Yes, our clinicians provide psychological assessments for PTSD and trauma-related concerns. Assessments may include diagnostic clarification, treatment recommendations, and documentation to support treatment planning or referral processes.
What therapies are used for PTSD?
Our clinicians use evidence-based therapies for PTSD and trauma-related concerns, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Treatment plans are individualized based on each client’s experiences, symptoms, and goals.
Does VAC cover psychological treatment?
Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) may provide coverage for psychological assessment and treatment services for eligible veterans and former RCMP members. Coverage and authorization depend on individual circumstances, approved conditions, and VAC eligibility requirements.
Do you work with RCMP Members?
Yes, we provide specialized psychological assessment and therapy services for current and former RCMP members. Our clinicians understand the unique occupational stressors associated with policing, public safety work, and operational trauma exposure.
Do you provide services for first responders?
Yes, we work with police officers, firefighters, paramedics, correctional officers, dispatchers, healthcare workers, and other frontline professionals. Treatment is tailored to the unique operational demands and psychological stressors associated with first responder work.
Do I need a physician referral?
A physician referral is not required for most therapy services. However, some insurance providers, workplace programs, or funding systems may request a referral for reimbursement or authorization purposes.
Can I access therapy virtually in Ontario?
Yes, the Canadian Centre for CBT offers virtual therapy services across Ontario through secure online platforms. Virtual therapy allows clients to access evidence-based mental health care from home while maintaining privacy, flexibility, and accessibility.
How long does treatment usually last?
The length of therapy varies depending on each individual’s goals, symptoms, and treatment needs. Some clients benefit from short-term treatment, while others may require longer-term support for more complex or longstanding concerns. You should experience significant improvement in your symptoms within 3 months. If you have been in therapy in the past and not received benefit then it could be worth trying our evidence-based care.
To learn more about Operational Stress Injury Services (OSIS) therapy services, assessments, or to schedule your appointment — please contact us today:
Phone
Toronto: (647) 366-8315
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Ottawa: (613) 567-3228