 The Mood Disorders Research and Treatment Service offers evidence-based treatment for adults with major depression, bipolar disorders, dysthymia, cyclothymia, anxiety, and other persistent mood disorders. Based at Providence Care Mental Health Services in Kingston, the service extends to people living throughout Southeastern Ontario.The service includes therapeutic groups, outpatient clinics, outreach, ECT (Electro Convulsive Therapy), and TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation). Continuity of care is insured by an interdisciplinary team providing quality clinical services to inpatients,
outpatients and their families.
Outpatient Clinic
An individualized care plan defines the service provided to each person through this clinic, located at Providence Care Mental Health Services. The waiting list for psychiatric assessment is approximately six to eight weeks.
Group Treatments
Formerly known as the Mood Disorders Day Program, this service was reconfigured in 2003 into a variety of psychotherapy and psychoeducational groups, including:
- cognitive behavioural therapy groups for depression, and for anxiety and panic
- Changeways - an introduction to cognitive therapy
- interpersonal psychotherapy
- expressive psychiatric therapy groups
- relaxation and calming techniques.
Outreach Team
The Mood Disorders Outreach Team is evolving to serve two roles:
- direct care for adults whose symptoms cannot be managed by the existing array of front line and intensive services, and
- teaching, education, collaboration and other specialized resources for service providers, clients and families to enhance the capacity of the system.
ECT and TMS Treatment
Providence Care Mental Health Services is the primary provider of ECT in Kingston and Frontenac County, and the only provider of TMS in Southeastern Ontario. TMS is a relatively new treatment for major depression. It uses magnetic energy to alter electrical activity in the specific part of the brain controlling mood.
Inpatient Unit
This 20-bed unit cares for individuals who have not responded to treatment in other settings. A typical stay involves assessment, medication management, stabilization, and preparation for discharge. The average length of stay is two months. The interdisciplinary team provides therapy in a structured group format as well as on an individual basis.
Consultation
Clinicians with the Mood Disorders Research and Treatment Service offer telephone consultations to health care professionals in hospitals and communities in Southeastern Ontario. Liaison with the referral source and agencies involved in the clients' care may be extensive. One-time clinical consultation is also available and involves assessment by a clinician and a report back to the referral source. In some communities we offer Telepsychiatry sessions.
Research and Education
Providence Care's Mood Disorders Research and Treatment Service is a leading research centre in the field of mood and anxiety disorders. Areas of expertise include mood disorders in general, psychopharmacology, TMS, ECT, sleep studies, seasonal affective disorders, and program evaluation. Staff have presented and published their work at a number of national and international meetings.
Placements are provided for students in nursing, medicine, psychology, occupational therapy, theology, social work, recreation, and nutrition. Education to professionals and community agencies is also offered to improve understanding and treatment of mood disorders.
Referrals
All referrals and requests for service or consultation are to be directed to the Intake Coordinator, Terry Mauer, at (613) 546-1101 ext. 5409; Fax (613) 540-6114.
Referrals are accepted from family physicians, psychiatrists, and community mental health agencies. When a community mental health worker refers, the referral must be endorsed by the family physician.
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