Ottawa Institute of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Mental health clinic

๐Ÿ˜  I beg you to read the reviews and look somewhere else for therapy! Do not waste your time here. My husband has paid hundreds of dollars, only to have an initial "assessment" and then have another "assessment". Now nothing is happening since his counselor canceled his appointment over two weeks ago... People often mention intake, appointment, time, assessment, questions, therapist, treatment, told, services, process,


Address

411 Roosevelt Ave #200, Ottawa, ON K2A 3X9, Canada

Website

www.ottawacbt.ca

Contact

+1 613-820-9931

Rating on Google Maps

2.10 (43 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Wednesday: 9โ€ฏam to 5โ€ฏpm
  • Thursday: 9โ€ฏam to 5โ€ฏpm
  • Friday: 9โ€ฏam to 5โ€ฏpm
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: Closed
  • Monday: 9โ€ฏam to 5โ€ฏpm
  • Tuesday: 9โ€ฏam to 5โ€ฏpm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: intake (16) appointment (13) time (12) assessment (11) questions (11) therapist (10) treatment (10) told (9) services (9) process (9)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 1/5 Amanda 1 year ago on Google
    I beg you to read the reviews and look somewhere else for therapy! Do not waste your time here. My husband has paid hundreds of dollars, only to have an initial "assessment" and then have another "assessment". Now nothing is happening since his counselor canceled his appointment over two weeks ago and isn't calling back to make another supposedly weekly appointment. Edit: my husband had done therapy here for a few months and didn't take anything away from it. At all. Absolutely no help for his ADHD. For 185$+ per 45 minutes (which btw, the prices are now even HIGHER), it was nothing but a complete waste of money/time. My husband had changed therapists and canceled his last appointment here but didn't tell them he wouldn't be coming back (he felt awkward). Two months after that, his old therapist called not to check up on his appointments and "treatment plan", but simply to tell them that their fees went up. Clients are nothing but cash for them and they take advantage.
    24 people found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 1/5 Josie H. 2 years ago on Google
    They charge 250$ for the intake assessment. Then they tell you that you have to fill out a very detailed online survey answering very personal and in depth questions about your mental health. There where questions that were very triggering. There was no way to stop and return to the questions and they told me to finish it that day. There was also no way of telling how many questions were left. It took me what felt like hours. It kept asking me the same questions over and over again this was after a very detailed interview answering the same questions. About a week or two after the appointment they told me that my LOTUS score was too high and they could not provide me with any services. They recommended an in-patient program that is way above what I can afford. When I asked to have my LOTUS assesment sent to my doctor, they told me it would be an additional fee. So for the 250$ spent, I got absolutely nothing helpful from it. They take your money, force you to do a triggering survey, and offer nothing in consolation.
    19 people found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 1/5 jay 4 years ago on Google
    terrible do not ever see Dianne blackburn. I told her I was suffering from being in the army suffering with nightmares and unilaterally decided I was an unfit parent and called CAS who agreed she is an idiot
    18 people found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 2/5 Brenda L. 2 years ago on Google
    Well Iโ€™m done with that organization, since when do therapist have a cash grab of $250 on top of the fee you must pay of $180 for 50 minutes? Thatโ€™s robbery they didnโ€™t charge that before Covid hit, try another company. Itโ€™s shameful to charge an assessment fee when people are needing a service and they are making it harder to afford it. Iโ€™m going to try. Advanced Health out if Toronto they can fit me in 10 day wait and rates are reasonable no assessment fee๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป
    15 people found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 1/5 Bill W. 5 years ago on Google
    Waited 2 weeks to have my intake interview with Roy and Raymond called 14 minutes after the appointed time. I couldn't pick up his call because I was calling their office but I couldn't get a hold of him because he is not listed in their directory. There is no admin so all you can do is leave a message. Nobody cares.
    11 people found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 2/5 Ryan V. 5 years ago on Google
    I can't comment on the quality of care that they provide, but I write this negative review in light of their intake process. I had a referral from a social worker in a treatment program, which certainly may have expedited my admission process, however they have been slow to respond to calls. I'll await further response, but for now I'm disappointed.
    11 people found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 1/5 Taylor P. 2 years ago on Google
    I accessed diagnostic services through OICBT and I found the process easy to navigate and very thorough. My only complaint would be the price of services, which is less of an issue with OICBT but a systemic issue. To receive diagnostic services in Ottawa you either have to wait months to have it covered through OHIP, go to the hospital while in crisis, or pay expensive prices. I also found it took a long time to get a receipt so that I could try to recuperate some of the cost through my insurance. Overall a very helpful experience and I would recommend their diagnostic services to anyone who is seeking clarity and can afford it or get a portion covered. EDIT: I am still waiting to receive my final receipt so that I can claim the services I received and paid for through my insurance. After many attempts to get my receipt, they have decided to send me a request to pay for MORE services from them (services I did not express any interest in). Avoid them. The actual practitioners are great but it's not worth the headache.
    11 people found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 1/5 Esraa Z. 1 year ago on Google
    The worst scam ever! They charge you for a useless initial assessment and they ask you to fill in a load of questionnaires online after that the social worker told me that they can offer me16 sessions for 80 dollar each and for the insonmia there is a clinic for 230 an hour and the waitlist is 3 months. She also told me that she will no longer work with them and that I have to call th to ask for another worker. I expected them to follow up with me which did not happen. The initial outcome of the asseent is nothing and no wriiten report. It is a robbery! Do never deal with them. They charge and they do nothing. I regret wasting my time and my money .
    10 people found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 1/5 M F. 11 months ago on Google
    The intake process was lengthy and costly. During my initial assessment, I divulged some very sensitive details to someone on the phone. At the end, they suggested that I pursue both group and one-on-one counselling. When I mentioned that I'd only be comfortable with private counselling, they made it clear that there could be no private counselling if I didn't also take the group option b/c treatment would be 'less effective' otherwise. I wasn't given an 'in-between' choice, and was advised to look somewhere else for treatment if I didn't want to do group counselling as well. All this after a very lengthy questionnaire and intake process. It seemed like the person on the other end of the line was more concerned with maximizing their revenue rather than actually helping me, otherwise there should have been no issue with simply doing one-on-one counselling. I'm embarrassed to have disclosed as much as I did. If you're interested in CBT, visit the Ottawa Centre for Cognitive Therapy instead.
    8 people found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 1/5 Rage Q. 1 year ago on Google
    inaccessible to persons with disabilities. They basically just want to help people who are not complex. The most basic of basic cases. I wouldn't be surprised if they just lie and say people need more than they do given the fact they are not patient centered or trauma informed in the least. They are not good for anyone with trauma or any intersecting marginalized identities. this is a clinic for privileged people who internalized ableism. If you have no internalized ableism or if ableism triggers you, this clinic will trigger you. They need serious training on systemic prejudices and especially on ableism because they are extremely prejudice.
    8 people found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 1/5 J. W. 3 years ago on Google
    I opted to ignore the negative reviews and see for myself. My intake process was a disaster and communication from the office was confusing at best. A woman (who I believe was a receptionist, though she was very hard to understand) even discussed a suggested diagnosis from my file when referring to the "next" assessment I would have. It was a huge waste of money for me and very disappointing. Buyer beware.
    8 people found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 1/5 Mike H. 3 years ago on Google
    Had a general intake booked today from 4-5:30 with Courtney K. Have taken time out of my work day and from my family to try and address some issues in my life. Spent the last two days nervous about it. No one ever emailed or called me today. They also have my credit card information. Can only speak for myself but when trying to seek treatment for OCD the therapist not showing up (now 37 minutes late), having no means of contact for the office outside leaving a voicemail on a "system" and me panicking that i'm being charged $250 to sit at my laptop away from my family frantically panicking that ive missed an email in my spam folder is NOT what I call professional. Can't believe my doctor recommended this place to me. I'll be checking my card statements to make sure they don't try to charge me for this waste of time. Awful start to the long weekend. I'm hurt and upset and this is a horrible look for an "institute"
    8 people found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 1/5 keri s. 1 year ago on Google
    I had 2 appointments, First was charged $260-Feb 13 Then $480 to speak to a student to review my 200 answers to my questions. -Mar 14 Apr 06, Since then I will need to do further testing in person for 3 hours, I was told about the cost, however since then I have been harassed about paying upfront first, my next appointment 3 hours wasn't until Apr 17, so that was over a month I had plenty of time to fill out payment information and EXTRA MORE paperwork, they cancelled my Apr 17 appointment because "I did not complete the payment form"... MY APPOINTMENT wasn't for another 15 days.. a little pushy and money hungry. The "admin" that called me said she was just handed my file when she originally called me kept saying "hmmm" "hmmmmm" making me feel stupid. I explained I was told about the fee but I didn't think I had to pay it right away maybe when I got there on the date of my appointment. I am been extremely occupied with children this past week. With my own child who has special needs one being ADHD. I would have still liked the appointment although with the treatment Iโ€™ve received I am reluctant to continue. Been harassed and hounded is not good business my appointment wasnโ€™t until April 17, I think I have plenty of time to fill out forms on time. This behavior is unacceptable seeing as how the clinic is there to help people you have done nothing but harass me for payment on an appointment that hasn't even happened yetโ€ฆ a little bill hungry!
    7 people found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 1/5 Vanessa B. 3 years ago on Google
    Spent five months navigating their ridiculous intake system. The counsellor had all kinds of preconceived ideas and put words in my mouth. She was wedded to a list of "symptoms" and kept trying to box me into them instead of listening. Total waste of time and money.
    6 people found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 1/5 JC L. 11 months ago on Google
    Terrible service. Denie Thornley never showed up for our booked appointment. All they talk about is MONEY MONEY MONEY. Very unprofessional with no ability to talk to a live person and they don't return calls.
    5 people found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 1/5 J D. 2 years ago on Google
    My intake and assessment experience with this location has left me quite dubious of their business practices. Although I handed over $250.00 for the intake assessment, I could not get a clear written assessment of what they based it on to justify the specific treatment plan suggested. The cost was crazy high, running around 9k. They told me they did not offer pay as you go, a payment plan or an option to scale back some of the multiple treatments offered within this personalized plan. E.g. Reducing or removing some parts to allow make it affordable for me. I foolishly thought they would want to allow some form of help rather than an all-or-nothing approach. To each of my questions regarding easing costs, I was given a quick and hard no. Clearly sending the message, this is a business that is first and foremost bottom-line focused and not client-focused. It left me with quite a negative impression. When a business has no desire to meet you halfway to help you, it sends a red flag that I have learnt from experience it is in my best interests to heed. I should have known this would be the case when one of the first questions asked at the beginning of the intake is if I would be able to afford treatment. I replied that I hoped I would be able to. Not dreaming the cost would be so high or that full payment would have to be made upfront before receiving any service. I am quite disappointed with this company. I had high hopes that maybe I was finally going to find the help I desired. I notified my referring doctor about my experience. The doctor sincerely apologized for referring me and said they would no longer be recommending Ottawa Institute of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to their patients.
    5 people found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 5/5 Sam 2 years ago on Google
    My intake with Kate Lines was informative and painless. She was very kind and explained things thoroughly. Dr. Jacky has helped me a lot with anxiety and depression through CBT. He taught me some very helpful skills. Would recommend.
    4 people found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 1/5 Tea H. 1 year ago on Google
    I had a good therapist here but the overall service was horrendous. The wait list was incredibly long. There is no way to get in touch with your therapist and there is no front desk. When Covid started, I was just dropped. My therapist tried to reach me but I had no way of getting back to him. Frankly it's upsetting and strange how poorly run the place is.
    4 people found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 5/5 Dylan L. 2 years ago on Google
    I cannot highly recommend OICBT enough. After I hit the limits with regular talk therapy and medication, I was looking for additional support. I was at my lowest point, very scared, and not sure of where to turn to. I came across the OICBT online, and was hesitant based on other reviews, but the other reviews do not match my experience in any way. I was able to book an initial appointment very quickly (within a week), which went over how the institute is structured, and then a day later I completed a comprehensive intake that went over my symptoms, challenges, and problems. There was a one month waiting period to begin treatment, but I was slowly integrated into an intensive 12-week treatment program, that offered individual therapy, group therapy, and regular sessions with an occupational therapist and occupational therapist assist. All of whom were very professional, compassionate, and supportive to me on my journey. At first, it seemed like a lot to take in, and it was a lot of appointments, but the entire team met regularly to discuss my case and progress, and contributed to my overall success. Thank you to everyone at the OICBT: you have helped me find myself, find a better purpose for my life, be a better husband and father, and be able to properly (and in a more healthy manner) cope and overcome my personal challenges. Thank you to everyone at the OICBT.
    3 people found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 4/5 Jessica D. 1 year ago on Google
    I agree the intake process is a bit frustrating, but once I found the right therapist and program I found it very effective. After several years I still have sessions with the same therapist and heโ€™s assisted me in applying what Iโ€™ve learned to real life situations. It takes time and lots of practice but in my experience with OICBT, it has been very helpful.
    1 person found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 1/5 Amanda T. 6 months ago on Google
    The intake process is overpriced and triggering-260.00 and at least three hours of work, mostly your own work and a lot of repeat questions from the self intake form. The process provides you with no practical skills to manage your symptoms, no referrals outside of their paid services, and then they ask you to spend another few thousand on further assessments. They were hesitant on providing my physician with information and when I informed them of my legal rights, they were not kind. You cannot reach anyone by phone, EVER. I had my car break down and I have had to cancel an appointment but no one is returning my calls to confirm the cancelation.
    1 person found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 1/5 Yixin C. 6 months ago on Google
    The first consultation call stopped me from further working with them. The lady who called me just didn't care and wouldn't let me ask questions or think about things. She just wanted me to book and pay the money. And now I'm here looking at the all the reviews thinking yeah they are all true.
    1 person found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 1/5 J 6 months ago on Google
    Please listen to the reviews. This is a profit over care institution. I know there are not many options in Ottawa but if you are looking for an organization that is committed to your overall well being, this is not the place. You will lose money faster then you will gain valuable tools.
    1 person found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 1/5 Eva L. 1 year ago on Google
    Emailing them for inquiries, an auto reply asks you to check their website or call them with extension 0. I called them earlier, basically like, if you donโ€™t know the extension then have a good day, bye.

  • 5/5 SMcT 1 year ago on Google
    Went in 2018 and it was VERY helpful. I still use the skills I learned to this very day. I recommend if you are open to pushing your boundaries and getting out of your comfort zone to heal.


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