Bridge Training For
Internationally Trained
Psychologists and Allied Mental
Health Professionals
(BTMH)
Dr. Mallika Indran
Project 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
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
Academic Training
Occupation Specific
Language and
Workplace
Communication
Training
Bridge
Training
Choice of Electives
Supervised Clinical
Placements
Mental Health
Instruction
160 hours
Full-time
Program:
10 months
Certificate
Program
66 - 72 hours
Bridge
Training
Occupation
Specific
Communication
Training
200 hours
Supervised
Clinical
Training
450 hours
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