Block Building Therapies offers assessment and intervention for clients who have been diagnosed with a mental health condition. This includes, but is not limited to; Depression, Anxiety, PTSD and OCD.

Our Occupational Therapists are trained to assess and treat clients using a variety of subjective and objective tools. A client-centered approach is used in order to engage clients into the rehabilitation program. Goals are based on increasing daily functions such as ADL’s, Home & Community management and Vocational status. Therapists work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to ensure a successful rehabilitation plan is achieved.

Mental Health programs include:

Exposure Therapy Program

Block Building Therapies offers an Exposure Therapy Program that is carried out by an Occupational Therapist and Rehabilitation Support Worker. All the direct work is collaborated with the treating Psychologist (if applicable). Our program focuses on providing education, relaxation strategies and real world exposure.

Research demonstrates that assisting clients confront “fears” reverses the cycle of avoidance to daily activities and overall function. Our staff physically work with clients in their home, community and work environments on a daily or weekly basis which teaches them the tools or strategies they need to gradually approach trauma-related memories, feelings or situations.

The program includes:

  • Individual assessment with an Occupational Therapist in the clinic or community and includes a variety of subjective and objective clinical tools.
  • Goal-oriented and client-centered assessment in order to help client develop daily functional goals as well as return to work plans.
  • Collaboration with third party funder (Disability Case Manager) as well as treating Psychologist. It may include phone consultation, as well as 1-1 multidisciplinary team meetings to set a rehabilitation plan.
  • Direct 1-1 with Rehabilitation Support Worker from 1 to up to 3 days a week to work on exposure to “triggers” that affect client’s ability to function in or out of the home, in the community or in relation to a return to work setting.
  • Gradual exposure to various situations and environments that occurs within the client’s comfort level with progress over time to more complex areas causing anxiety, fear or other-related emotions.
  • Initial report. Weekly or monthly reports are available based on request of funding source/or medical team.

Our Exposure Therapy program is best suited for clients who are experiencing or diagnosed with a mental health condition such as

  • anxiety,
  • depression,
  • PTSD, and
  • OCD.

Please see brochure below for more information about our Exposure Therapy Program

Exposure Therapy Program (PDF)

Behavioural Activation

Block Building Therapies offers a Behavioural Activation Program that is carried out by an Occupational Therapist and a Rehabilitation Support Worker as appropriate. Our program focuses on empowering clients with education, an enjoyable and productive routine, motivating goals, accountability, and mindfulness strategies to improve their mood, engagement in activities, and self-efficacy. 

Behavioural activation is a treatment for depression, and recently anxiety, that has been found to be very effective, even for clients who have not had success with other approaches. Researchers have found that behavioural activation is as effective as medication and somewhat more effective than cognitive therapy for treating depression. Our staff work with clients in their home and community to gradually replace negative behaviours with positive ones, to improve function in valued and necessary daily activities.  

The ideal candidates for this program are individuals who are experiencing depression, anxiety, or low mood who:  

  • Struggle with motivation and find it hard to engage in daily activities, social interactions, or active rehabilitation 
  • Experience avoidance behaviours and are having difficulty functioning in their home and community 
  • Are reluctant to move forward with recommendations from professionals 
  • May have experienced unsuccessful attempt(s) to return to work 
  • Have been supported by healthcare professionals to remain off work until symptom-free  
  • Are open and willing to participate in a structured program and engage in scheduled activities 

This Program offers: 

  • Objective assessment of emotional, cognitive, and physical functioning by an Occupational Therapist in the clinic or community 
  • Use of motivational interviewing techniques based on the ‘stages of change’ model to establish meaningful therapy goals 
  • Collaboration with the healthcare team and may include phone consultation and multidisciplinary team meetings to coordinate the rehabilitation plan 
  • 12 sessions with a therapist to implement the program which include: 
    • Education about behavioural activation principles and techniques to increase activity  
    • Daily activity schedule with tracking and accountability  
    • Gradual exposure to activities in the home and community that are being avoided  
    • If applicable, review and implementation of fatigue and pain management strategies  
    • If applicable, 1:1 work with a Rehabilitation Support Worker to implement therapy goals 
    • Formal report with recommendations for Behavioural Activation 

Please see brochure below for more information about our Behavioural Activation program:  

Behavioural Activation (PDF)

For more information or to make a referral to either of these programs, call us at 204-231-0785. Send completed referral form to info@blockbuilding.ca

Block Building Therapies is a fee for service clinic. We are accepting new referrals from 3rd party funders as well as individual private payers. Please complete a referral form (link) or contact your medical professional or insurance provider to see if you have coverage for Occupational Therapy services. We current work with a variety of funders: