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Online Therapy Unit

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Key Details

Organisation Name

Online Therapy Unit

Location

University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK S4S 0A2
Canada

Website

Social

eMHIC Member Status

Community Member

At a Glance

Description

The Online Therapy Unit provides free, evidence-based internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) for adults experiencing mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, alcohol misuse, and sleep difficulties, with therapist guidance available to Saskatchewan residents.

Implementation Status

Routine service delivery

ICBT programs are routinely delivered online with weekly therapist messaging support (for Saskatchewan programs) and standardized symptom monitoring.

Target Population

Adults Experiencing Depression and/or Anxiety

Adults experiencing depression and/or anxiety, including new or expecting parents and individuals with chronic health conditions.

Adults Experiencing Alcohol Misuse

Adults with alcohol misuse seeking to reduce, quit, or maintain progress in recovery.

Adults Experiencing Sleep Difficulties

Adults experiencing difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or obtaining adequate sleep.

Families and Support Persons

Family members, friends, and support persons of individuals experiencing depression and/or anxiety.

Impact & Outcomes

November 2013-April 2026
17931
Assessments provided
14565
Clients started ICBT
51%
Average reduction in depression symptoms
56%
Average reduction in anxiety symptoms
56-68%
Average reduction in heavy drinking days
96%
Clients would recommend to friends
96%
Clients found treatment worthwhile
17931
Assessments provided
14565
Clients started ICBT
51%
Average reduction in depression symptoms
56%
Average reduction in anxiety symptoms
56-68%
Average reduction in heavy drinking days
96%
Clients would recommend to friends
96%
Clients found treatment worthwhile

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Initiative Overview

The Current Gap

Individuals experiencing mental health challenges in Canada face barriers accessing care due to cost, stigma, limited availability of trained providers, time-constraints and geographic barriers.

Existing services may also experience low treatment completion rates.

The solution improves access through free, flexible, private, evidenced-based therapist-guided ICBT.

In addition to service delivery, we provide workshops and presentations to healthcare providers and the general public on evidence-based mental health care and ICBT.

We also mentor trainees in clinical research and ICBT delivery.

Research conducted within the unit contributes to the reach, adoption, effectiveness, and ongoing advancement of ICBT internationally.

Moreover, our programs are continually refined using clients feedback to improve service quality and responsiveness.

Our Solution

The Online Therapy Unit provides free, evidence-based ICBT for individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, chronic health conditions, sleep difficulties, alcohol misuse, and related mental health challenges.

Interested clients complete online and telephone screening to determine eligibility and are paired with therapists trained in ICBT who provide weekly support through secure messaging.

Clients complete structured online lessons while therapists monitor progress using standardized clinical measures.

The OTU also offers tailored programs for specific populations, including students and new and expecting parents.

The service complements existing care by improving timely access to flexible, scalable, and confidential mental health treatment.

Key Features

1

Evidenced-Based ICBT

Programs are developed and adapted using established cognitive behavioural therapy research and clinical evidence.

2

Therapist-Assisted Support

Trained ICBT therapists provide weekly support and monitor clients' progress using standardized clinical measures.

3

Secure Online Service Delivery

Clients access confidential treatment remotely, reducing geographical and stigma-related barriers to care.

4

Flexible, Self-Paced Treatment

Clients complete treatment modules at convenient times, reducing scheduling and time-related barriers.

5

No-Cost Treatment

All programs are offered free of charge, reducing financial barriers to accessing mental health services.

6

Community-Informed Program Development

Program development incorporate input from healthcare providers, advisory groups, and individuals with lived experience.

Collaboration in Action

Main Collaborators

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  • Collaborator Logos (31)
  • 1
University of Zurich
York University
Linköping University
Karolinska Institute
University of Basel
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

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Key Learnings

Key challenges included improving accessibility for underserved populations, including youth, non-English speakers, and individuals with lower literacy levels, as current Online Therapy Unit’s services are primarily designed for English-speaking adults.

Additional challenges involved increasing public and provider awareness of ICBT and its evidence-based foundation, maintaining service quality as demand grows, and integrating technological enhancements while balancing development costs, research activities, and client-centered care.
Start with a clear understanding of the problem you are trying to solve and ensure the intervention fits the needs and context of the population and broader system it will serve.

While ICBT is standardized, clients benefit from opportunities to personalize care through optional resources, diverse stories, and therapist support when challenges arise.

Successful implementation also depends on strong operational processes, partnerships for outreach and content development, and a skilled technology team that can support ongoing platform evolution.

Continuous evaluation and adaptability are critical to long term success.
International collaboration has been essential to the Online Therapy Unit’s development and ongoing improvement.

Partnerships with international researchers, clinical programs, and organizations have supported knowledge sharing, collaborative research, program refinement, and evaluation of ICBT delivery.

These collaborations have strengthened the evidence base for services, informed implementation strategies, and supported the development of innovative and accessible mental health programs responsive to the needs of diverse clients.

Core programs offered by the Online Therapy Unit were adapted through collaboration with international partners, including teams in Australia, Sweden and Switzerland.

Looking Ahead

The future of the Online Therapy Unit involves expanding access to evidence-based internet-delivered mental health services while maintaining strong clinical outcomes and client satisfaction.

Priorities include refining and evaluating programs to address specific concerns such as loneliness and interpersonal effectiveness, examining briefer interventions, and improving uptake through outreach and partnerships.

Continued investment in technology and operational infrastructure will support platform evolution, usability, and sustainability.

We also aim to strengthen training and mentorship opportunities, contribute to implementation science and policy, and support other organizations interested in delivering scalable, accessible, and effective digital mental health services.
The Online Therapy Unit is open to collaborations that align with our clinical services, research priorities, and operational capacity.

Areas of interest may include the evaluation and refinement of internet delivered mental health services within the Saskatchewan context.

Collaborative analyses or data sharing may also be considered where appropriate ethical approvals, resources, and capacity are in place.
The future vision for the Online Therapy Unit is to sustainably expand access to evidence based digital mental health services while continuing to refine, evaluate, and improve care within routine practice.

Priorities include strengthening platform usability and operational infrastructure, developing targeted enhancements and briefer interventions, and improving engagement and uptake.

We also aim to continue supporting training and mentorship opportunities and publishing research that informs practice, policy, and implementation, with the goal of maximizing the impact and accessibility of digital mental health care.
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Key Contact

Dr. Heather Hadjistavropoulos
Executive Director
Online Therapy Unit

Email

[email protected]

Website

Media

The Online Therapy Unit: Overview

Resources

Program Poster
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ICBT Graphic
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PROMOTION

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