Group: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Seniors With Depression

The Seniors Mental Health Program offers Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in group format to older adult men and women living in the geographic areas we serve who are a minimum age of 65 years, with a primary diagnosis of depression and who are well matched to this therapy service.  Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focuses on our thoughts and perceptions and how it causes us to feel and behave as we do.  By evaluating and changing our thoughts first, we can positively influence our emotions and reactions regardless of what is going on around us. 

Client information brochure:

CBT Client Information Pamphlet

For more information please contact:

Hamilton and Brant Seniors Mental Health Service

St. Joseph’s West 5th Campus
100 West 5th St.
Hamilton, ON 
Telephone: 905-522-1155 ext. 36396 
CBT Group Contact: 
Judy Harris 905-522-1155 ext. 36687 or jharris@stjoes.ca

Halton Seniors Mental Health Outreach Program

5230 South Service Road
Burlington, ON 
Telephone: 905-681-8233
CBT Group Contact: 
Linda Kallio, 905-681-8233 ext. 234 or lkallio@stjoes.ca

Niagara Seniors Mental Health Outreach Program 

26 Hiscott Road
St. Catharine’s, ON
Telephone: 905-704-4068
CBT Group Contact: 
Jo-Anne Edmondstone 905-704-4068 ext. 226 or jedmonds@stjoes.ca

Please contact the local area CBT Group contact person identified above to find out the tentative start date and location for an upcoming CBT Group for older adults with depression. 

Group: Memory and Aging Group

Do you forget names? Misplace your keys? Forget why you entered a room?

You are not alone. These are common memory slips that happen as we grow older.

The Memory and Aging group program is aimed at people 65 years of age or older who are interested in learning about memory changes that normally occur with age and practical strategies to improve their everyday memory performance.  In a comfortable group setting, participants also receive education on keeping your brain fit and healthy as you grow older. This five week program is currently facilitated by Dr. Christina Gojmerac, a neuropsychologist with SJHH and a clinician from the SJHH Seniors Mental Health Service.

For information about future sessions please contact Dr. Christina Gojmerac at 905-522-1155 ext 39656 or email memory@stjoes.ca . This is a new service offered by the SJHH Seniors Mental Health Service promoting health and wellness to seniors living in our communities.  There is a per person cost which includes 10 hours of instruction, a participant guide book and light refreshment.

Group: Learning the Ropes for Living with Mild Cognitive Impairment^TM

Learning the Ropes is a six-week, evidence-based, outpatient group program which includes psychoeducation on lifestyle factors that have an impact on memory, practical strategies for improving everyday memory situations, between-session assignments to foster strategy utilization, and support for family members.   

Learning the Ropes is aimed at older adults (65+) who have been formally diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and their close family or friend.  Please note that the intervention is not suitable for moderate to severe dementia clients.  Each two-hour weekly session has two separate components.  The first hour includes all participants (individuals with MCI and their close family or friend) and involves psycho-eduation on the impact of lifestyle factors on the brain and memory.  The second hour involves memory strategy training for participants with MCI and a separate support group session for close family or friends. 

At this time, we are accepting referrals from physicians and clinicians at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton in the departments of geriatric psychiatry, geriatric medicine, and the clinical neuropsychology service. 

For all other referral inquires please contact Dr. Christina Gojmerac, Clinical Neuropsychologist, SJHH Seniors Mental Health Program, via phone: 905-522-1155 extension 39656 or email: cgojmera@stjoes.ca