Women's Health Concerns Clinic (WHCC)
What this program does...
The Women’s Health Concerns Clinic (WHCC) provides assessment, consultation and treatment for women 18 years of age or older who are experiencing emotional symptoms related to the reproductive milestones (i.e. menstrual cycle, pregnancy/postpartum, and menopause).
We offer multi-professional evaluation and treatment for:
- Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
- Changes in mood and anxiety related to pregnancy and the postpartum period
- Mood and anxiety symptoms related to the menopausal transition.
What to expect at the first assessment
Please allow up to 3 hours for this first appointment. Your partner or primary support person is welcome to attend.
- You will be asked to complete questionnaires in the waiting room prior to the start of your assessment. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment.
- You will first meet with a clinician (nurse, social worker), OR a medical resident, OR a clinical fellow to review your history prior to meeting with the staff psychiatrist.
- An individualized treatment plan will be discussed with you. You may be offered follow-up for ongoing assessment and treatment at the clinic or you may follow-up with your family physician based on our treatment recommendations. Please note that this initial assessment does not guarantee follow up at the WHCC.
- A consultation report will be sent back to the referral source as well as the family physician with the plan agreed upon at this initial appointment.
FAQs
Can I bring my baby?
Yes. The WHCC provides accommodations such as a breastfeeding space and changing tables. Some patient’s find that bringing the baby can be distractive and prefer to leave him or her with a support person.
Non-pharmacological treatments offered:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy group for Perinatal Depression
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy group for Perinatal Anxiety
- Emotion Regulation Skills group for Perinatal Women
- Psychoeducation group for Bipolar Disorder for Perinatal Women
- Psychoeducation group for Perinatal Women
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy group for Perimenopause
Group therapy? No way!
Many of our patients initially report that are very hesitant about doing group therapy for various reasons. But in the end, most of them are very grateful for the group format, as it allows them to relate to other women going through similar issues.
Unfortunately, we cannot routinely offer individual counselling due to the high number of patients. If you definitely feel like do not want to give the group therapy a try, working with your family doctor to try to find counselling in the community may be the best option.
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.
Contact Us
Women’s Health Concerns Clinic (WHCC)
100 West 5th Street
Level One
Hamilton, ON L8N 3K7
Telephone:
905-522-1155 ext. 33605
WHCC General Fax Line:
905-381-5629
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