Bridge Training For Internationally Trained

Psychologists and Allied Mental Health Professionals

(BTMH)Dr. Mallika IndranProject Manager

WHAT IS BTMH

• A pioneering professional development program for internationally trained mental health professionals

• 3 year pilot project• Partnership with community based mental

health agencies, settlement sector and educational provider

• Funded by the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration Ontario

BACKGROUND TO MNLCT LEADERSHIP

• Development of Community Mental health program

• Mentoring Internationally educated psychologists

• Settlement and Wellness

MNLCT COMMITMENT TO PROGRAM• Lead agency for project administration• Tools for workplace experience through

partnerships • Tools for communication in mental health

sector and workplace culture• Independent program evaluation for

continuous improvement

Academic Training Occupation Specific

Language and Workplace

Communication Training

Choice of Electives Supervised Clinical

Placements

Bridge Training

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

Bridge Training

Mental Health Instruction160 hours

Occupation Specific Communication

Training200 hours

Supervised Clinical Training

450 hours

Certificate Program 66 - 72 hours

Full-time Program:10 months

MENTAL HEALTH INSTRUCTION • Four modules: Mental health practice in Ontario

Theoretical Approaches Cultural Competency, Anti-Racism and

Power relations in Mental Health Mental health and the Migration

Experience• Curriculum prepared specifically for internationally

trained mental health professionals • Inputs from: OACCPP

Community based mental health agencies.

OCCUPATION SPECIFIC COMMUNICATION TRAINING

• Curriculum tailored for communication in the mental health setting

• Workplace language and culture

• Reading comprehension practice on mental health and addiction literature

• Writing practice on case documentation and reports

PLACEMENT TRAINING

• 450 hours training in an agency that provides mental health services.

• Clinical seminars to supplement the placement program

PLACEMENTS

• Clinical Counselling• Case Management• Group Therapy • Psycho-educational group work

RECRUITMENT FOR PLACEMENTS

• Placement posting • Resume and cover letter submission• Interview with agency• Placement offer

AGENCY SUPERVISION• Orient participant to organizational vision, mission, theoretical

framework and approach, policies and procedures

• Develop learning objectives for the placement together with the participant

• Weekly supervisory meetings

• Including participant in staff meetings, professional development activities and agency events

• Monitoring performance and provide structured feedback through mid-term and final evaluation

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

• Skills to work• Children’s mental health• Adult Mental Health• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

NETWORKING EVENTS

• Mental health employer engagement event• Graduation ceremony

OTHER BENEFITS

• Membership with OACCPP• Liability insurance • WSIB

ELIGIBILITY

• Bachelor’s degree in counselling, psychology or social work

• Psychiatrists• A minimum of two years of relevant work

experience in psychotherapy, clinical counselling or community mental health

• Canadian Language Benchmark score 7 • Eligibility to work in Ontario

SELECTION PROCESS

• Admission paper screening• Intake Interview• Pre admission written test• Orientation

AGENCY SUPERVISORS

• Mental health delivery role• Prior experience in supervision• Graduate level training in a mental health

profession

CHALLENGES

• Cultural awareness• Hesitancy to take initiative• Communication skills• Knowledge on legal issues, policies,

procedures and scope of practice

LEARNINGS

• In great demand among internationally trained mental health professionals

• Online modalities for national use• Enhance employer marketing• Employment success rate is high for a pilot• Well grounded for continuation