The CBT Skills Groups are administered by the CBT Skills Groups Society, a non-profit society that was formed by a small and passionate team of family physicians and psychiatrists.

Virtual CBT Skills Group Medical Visits are now available for patients across the province. Physicians can now refer to the CBT Skills Group program directly and patients enroll and participate online, with little to no waitlist.
 

The Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Skills Group program is a physician-led program for adult patients (17.5 – 75 years old) who want to learn practical tools to improve their mental health. The CBT Skills Group program is a self-management course targeted at anxiety, depression and stress that integrates basic neuroscience concepts with introductory mindfulness and cognitive behavioural therapy teaching. It is delivered as an eight-week series of 90-minute group medical visits, with 15 patients per group. Patients learn practical tools to recognize, understand and manage patterns of feeling, thinking and behaving. They learn to be conscious of their choices as they respond to life stressors, and explore options for living a fuller, richer life, more aligned with what they value most.

STEPS TO REFER TO THE PROGRAM:

STEP 1: Determine if your patient is a good fit for the program by using our inclusion and exclusion criteria.

WE ENCOURAGE REFERRING PATIENTS WITH A PHQ9 SCORE OF 18 OR LESS WHO STRUGGLE WITH:

  • Anxiety or depression
  • Chronic medical conditions with associated mental distress
  • Insomnia
  • Chronic pain
  • Addictions
  • Eating disorders
  • Hormonal disorders
  • Adjustment disorders (stress causing symptoms, and/or affecting ability to function in relationships, parenting, or at work/school)
  • Problems with spending, overeating, or other out-of-control behaviors
  • Attention regulation problems

STEP 2:  Ask your patient about their comfort with participating in an online classroom-like group and inform them there is a $65 initial deposit, which is returned if they attend at least 7 of the 8 groups. A hard copy of the workbook is recommended, which is an additional $35, or patients can access an online version. If a hard copy is preferred, but there is financial hardship, the fee can be reduced. Please email admin to inquire. If your patient is interested, have them fill out the PHQ9 form.

STEP 3: If your patient scores 18 or lower on the PHQ9 (i.e. mild-moderate depression) and is not suicidal, then fill out the referral form. When submitting the referral form please ensure you have filled out all portions of the form or it cannot be accepted and will be returned to you.

STEP 4:  Fax the referral form to 778.265.0298. This number is also on the top right-hand corner of the referral form.

The referral form has been embedded in MOIS, Oscar, Med Access, and Wolf EMRs, and is expected to be embedded in Intrahealth soon.  It is also easily found on Pathwaysbc (log in required) or can be downloaded HERE.
 

Limitations:

There is a $65 initial deposit, which is returned if the patient attends at least 7 of the 8 groups. A hard copy of the workbook is recommended, which is an additional $35, or the patient can access an online version. If a hard copy is preferred, but there is financial hardship, the fee can be reduced. Please email admin to inquire. 
 
Patients cannot be referred without an identified MRP. A primary care provider must be available to provide therapeutic support if necessary. This program cannot provide emergency/additional sessions/supports.
 
For more information please see the following page for physicians> https://cbtskills.ca/physicians/ or email info@cbtskills.ca