At MDA, we are committed to providing our patients with various treatment options to choose from because each individual will encounter different obstacles and challenges in their mental health journey and recovery. Because your well-being is our priority, we are happy to be able to offer some of the most up-to-date, innovative and effective treatment options available anywhere in Canada.
Click on the link below for further information on additional medical treatments available at MDABC:
Food as Medicine: A Group Medical Program for Mental and Physical Disorders
Changing dietary habits and lifestyle aimed at reducing inflammation can be effective treatment for various mental and physical conditions, ranging from depression to chronic pain and more. Food as Medicine is an 8 week physician-led group medical program that will empower you to make changes to reduce chronic inflammation and improve your mental and physical health.
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)
rTMS is an alternative safe, effective, non-invasive, non-convulsive treatment for patients not responding to medication or cannot tolerate their side effects.
Narrative Therapy
MDABC will now be offering a group program in Narrative Therapy, led by Dr. Claire Fantus. This program is designed for people who are dealing with depression and/or anxiety.
Jump Step: Exercise for the treatment of depression
Jump Step is a 6-week physical activity program using exercise as medicine. This program is a fun, inclusive and natural approach to improving your mood. It offers a welcoming and supportive environment and a great opportunity to be part of a group of like-minded people.
JOY-TH: Journey Of Yoga Therapy for Healing
The program is an eight-week group-based (currently virtual) course offered for referred patients with anxiety or depression. The course combines two evidence-based treatments for depression: cognitive-based mindfulness training and yoga. JOY-TH is led by Dr. Carmen Chornell, MD, FRCP(C) who has over twenty years of training and credentialing in each of these areas.
Cozy up to Winter: Beat the Winter Blues
Millions of Canadians feel their energy droop as the days grow short. When the gold of autumn shifts to the greys of winter, many feel down in the dumps. But must winter be an annual curse? In fact, No. Evidence-based medicine now can transform the blues of winter into more joyful hues. Does the change in seasons bring you down? Then join the Virtual Winter Blues Group, led by Dr. Daniel McBain. Each group medical visit lasts 90 minutes. The format is population-based psychoeducation and peer support.
Moves for Mind and Mood
Moves for Mind and Mood is a unique program led by Dr. Daniel McBain for people aged 60 and up. It combines martial arts-based movements with mindfulness and cognitive psychology to help people achieve lasting recovery from depression.
Psychodynamic Group Therapy
This program is transdiagnostic and can be helpful for patients coping with depression, anxiety, trauma, personality disorders, and other mental health difficulties and is led by Dr. David Heilbrunn. Members contribute and relate spontaneously, sharing things of emotional significance and reacting to other members in an open and supportive environment.
Treatments Available from Other Agencies
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Skills Groups
CBT Skills Groups are open to all BC residents with a valid Canadian health card number. The course is designed for adult patients (17.5 years and up) who want to learn practical tools to improve their mental health.
This eight-week educational program is a course that helps people with a variety of mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression and stress-related disorders. It uses evidence-based therapies to teach people to recognize, understand and manage patterns of feeling, thinking and behaving.
You need a referral from your doctor in order to take the course. See the CBT Skills Groups web site for more information.