What this program does...

The Bridge to Recovery program provides time limited care for people with serious mental illness over the age of 17. All referrals receive an assessment to determine treatment goals of the client. The Bridge program offers a variety of evidence based group therapy interventions, with the addition of individual sessions based on a client’s specific needs.

The goal of the program is to assist clients to transition back into the community. In some cases clients will be referred to other specialized outpatient treatment and services.

How this program helps...

The program offers clients a number of group therapy options to meet individual needs and recovery goals. Following are the support service group streams offered through the Bridge program:

Managing Emotions Stream

• This is a Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) based group for clients who struggle with emotional dysregulation. Skills taught include mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotion regulation
• The intensive group schedules includes two half days (two hours each) of core programming per week along with an hour weekly session with an assigned clinician. It runs for seven weeks.

Peer Support Group

• A confidential, informal, drop-in support/social group offered weekly by a Peer Support Worker, with lived experience of mental illness and recovery
• Discussion topics may include mental health, recovery, and wellness, relationships, goals, and applying the skills learned in the program, etc.

Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP)

• A five-session group for clients who have completed core programming
• Designed to help you learn strategies for developing structure, accountability, and support networks to maintain wellness and build the life you want

Therapeutic Recreation Groups

• A variety of therapeutic recreation groups are offered weekly to help clients focus on recovery goals such as decreasing isolation, increasing social connections, and improving mood
• Designed to provide a therapeutic environment for "behavioural activation" in order to achieve mastery, experience pleasure, and improve motivation

Contact

St. Joseph's West 5^th Campus
100 West 5th Street
Level 0, Block D
Hamilton ON  L8N 3K7

Hours of Operation
Monday to Friday
8:00 am to 4:00 pm

Referral Process

Referrals to this program are processed by Connect, St. Joe’s centralized intake service for Mental Health and Addiction outpatient programs. Click here to access the Connect referral form.

Preparing for Your Visit

Please bring any medication that you are currently taking. We ask that you do not bring any valuables with you as the hospital cannot be responsible for lost or stolen personal items. 

Maps and Directions

The Bridge to Recovery Program is located on Level 0, Block D.

From the Outpatient Entrance, turn left down the first hallway. The Bridge to Recovery Clinic is located inside the Community Psychiatry Clinic on the left hand side.

From the Main Entrance, take the elevator or stairs to Level 0. Exit the elevator and turn left. Turn left again down the first hallway. The Bridge to Recovery Clinic is located inside the Community Psychiatry Clinic on the left hand side.

Please click here for maps and directions to our West 5th Campus.