COVID-19 has resulted in several changes at MDABC. As this is a rapidly changing and evolving situation – we will attempt to update you as fast as we are able.
If the update below is out of date by a few days – please call our office 604-873-0103 – to see if there are any additional changes.
MDABC Office Reception will be open from Monday to Friday 9-5 to answer calls, emails and to book appointments.
Other services will continue via an on-line or telehealth format.
There will be NO IN-PERSON Consultation until further notice.
MDABC continues to adhere to safe physical distancing measures in place by the Government and we are continuing with our services as listed below. Thank you for your continued patience as we all work through these uncertain times together. May you be safe and well!
Our office will be open with reduced services. What does this mean?
MDA Office Reception
We will be open from Monday to Friday 9:00 – 5:00pm to answer calls, emails and to book appointments.
To ensure safe physical distancing unfortunately WALK IN and IN PERSON Appointments are not being accepted at this time. Instead, please call or email and we would be happy to answer your questions.
Psychiatric Consultations
Only virtual or telehealth appointments are being booked during this time. Please contact our office for more information on how to book an appointment. We continue to accept referrals from the Clinics listed on our website here: Psychiatric Referral Clinics
Counselling Appointments
Only virtual or telehealth appointments are being booked during this time. Please contact our office for more information on how to book an appointment.
For new clients, please fill out our intake form here: Book an Appointment
rTMS Appointments
As this service requires a technician and machine, these appointments will be booked on an individual basis. Any clients coming to the office, who are experiencing symptoms will be required to report immediately and will be asked to cancel their appointment. In order to ensure the continuation of your treatment, we ask that you physically distance from others during travel to and from MDABC, limit your exposure outside, wash your hands before coming into the clinic, and communicate with us if you are not feeling very well. Our rTMS Technician is required to wear full protective gear during the appointment and all equipment is sterilized before and after use.
April 28, 2020 update:
April 7, 2020 update:
During Covid-19, MDABC continues to monitor and take measures to ensure the safety of everyone, while providing services to our clientele.
Our MDABC office will re-open April 7, 2020 with reduced service.
MDABC clinic will operate from Monday to Friday 9-5 only.
Other services will continue via an on-line or telehealth format.
There will be NO IN-PERSON Consultation until further notice.
– Psychiatric and Counselling Services will continue via virtual format/telehealth.
– rTMS clients will resume treatment on an individual basis. The rTMS technicians will be using PPE during treatment times. Technicians will also screen clients regularly for any symptoms.We ask that you cancel your appointment or re-book if you have any symptoms even the mildest form. In order to ensure the continuation of your treatment, we ask that you physically distance from others during travel to and from MDABC, limit your exposure outside, wash your hands before coming into the clinic, and communicate with us if you are not feeling very well.
To book an on-line or phone appointment with a Psychiatrist or Counsellor – please contact info@mdabc.net or call our office at 604.873.0103
You will be provided with further information regarding your session.
Thank you all for your patience as we experience this pandemic together. MDABC is committed to ensuring that the health, safety and mental wellbeing of all is our top priority. Please stay safe and be well!
Check here for future updates.
March 25, 2020 update:
For patients requesting follow up visits:
– Dr Remick – book into a “group medical visit” online with Dr Remick at your preferred Wednesday time. Dr Remick will then contact you and offer you a virtual individual visit at or around the same time you requested (…or feel free to email him at rremick@shaw.ca)
– Dr Brost – For all Dr. Brost’s patients who have upcoming individual appointments scheduled, please expect a phone call from Dr. Brost at the time of the appointment, as he will be conducting a virtual appointment with you at the scheduled time. He will be continuing virtual appointments even during dates that take place during the MDABC office closure. For all of Dr. Brost’s patients currently scheduled for an upcoming group appointment, this will be rescheduled to be a virtual appointment. Expect a call from MDABC a few days prior to that date to make arrangements for a virtual appointment on that date in lieu of the scheduled group. Should you have any concerns in between appointments such as rescheduling or questions for Dr. Brost on other matters, please write to irvine.harvey@lookoutsociety.ca and your message will be immediately forwarded to Dr. Brost’s attention. You can expect a response via phone call no later than the next business day after he has received it.
– Dr Heilbrunn – all clients that are in groups will continue using the zoom conference platform. Dr. Heilbrunn have also made himself available for 1 on 1 over the phone or videophone sessions with clients, and have informed them to make arrangements with him directly via email or sms.
– Dr Wicholas – will continue to see all her clients via Zoom conference meeting.
– Dr Chowdhury – any clients wanting to re-book with Dr. Chowdhury for this period, please contact Irvine.harvey@lookoutsociety.ca
– rTMS treatment patients – the treatment program is currently on hold until April 6, 2020. Please keep referring to the Covid-19 update section of the website for any announcement.
March 24, 2020 update:
We wish to inform you that MDABC offices on Pender Street are temporarily closed from March 25 until April 6. Please refer to our website for future announcements and re-opening information. Information for MDA Clinic patients and their ‘current’ virtual follow up opportunity – information can be found on the Adult Psychiatric Clinic tab of this website —>then click on Covid-19 update.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
If you have any emergency or are in crisis, please connect with the following resources:
> COVID-19 Hotline – 1-888-COVID19 (1-888-268-4319).
> Medical Emergency – 911
> Access & Assessment Centre – (604) 675-3700
> Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention Centre of BC – (604) 872-3311
> Fraser Health Crisis Line – +1 877-820-7444
> Richmond Health Services-Crisis Line – (604) 279-7070
> North Shore Crisis Services Society – (604) 987-0366
For any questions from physicians and patients concerning the MDA Clinic –
please contact Dr Ron Remick – rremick@shaw.ca
For any questions involving the Wellness Centre and our clinic counselling or other MDA matters –
please contact Mr Irvine G. Harvey – irvine.harvey@lookoutsociety.ca
March 20, 2020 update:
1. Support Groups update:
ALL Support Groups are now ON HOLD. All facilitators will be set up with a Zoom Conference to continue on with the meetings.
In the meantime, members are encouraged to connect with the facilitators of their group for updates and when Zoom Meetings starts.
March 17, 2020 update:
1. Psychiatric Clinic changes:
All individual appointments with the psychiatrists and clinical counsellors will continue unless you are notified of a change.
- Dr. Wicholas have cancelled groups this week until further notice and will be providing 1:1 appointments by phone or in person. MDABC will cancel the groups and everyone booked will get a text message in addition to Dr. Wicholas’ email.
- From Dr. Brost – Starting tomorrow (March 18th, 2020) and effective for the next 4 weeks, Dr. Brost will see clients for 30 minute individual follow-ups.
March 16, 2020 update:
1. The following support groups held at the MDA Wellness Centre are canceled until further notice:
- Moving Beyond Youth – Mondays 7 -9pm
- Women’s support – Mondays 5:45-7:45pm
- Self compassion – Tuesdays 5:45 – 7:45pm
- Mindfulness – Wednesdays 6 – 8pm
2. Psychiatric Clinic changes:
All individual appointments with the psychiatrists and clinical counsellors will continue unless you are notified of a change.
- Group Medical Visits (GMV) conducted by Dr Remick will be switched to individual appointment until further notice. Continue to book into GMV and you will be contacted by MDA staff with a 30 min individual appointment near the same time as the canceled GMV.
- Dr Brost will be switching his GMV into individual appointments and/or groups of less than four individuals using the large Boardroom rather than his office. Continue to book into GMV and you will be contacted by MDA staff with a 30 min individual appointment or small GMV near the same time as the canceled GMV.
- Dr Heilbrunn has canceled his group psychotherapy sessions until further notice. You will be contacted with an appointment time to meet with him individually until group sessions resume.
- Dr Wicholas will be offering virtual group attendance via Zoom technology. Please contact the office as to the status of her upcoming groups.
- rTMS treatments and follow up or consultations with Dr Chowdhury will continue unless you are notified further.