Bridge Training For Internationally Trained Psychologists and Allied Mental Health Professionals (BTMH)

1. Bridge Training For Internationally Trained Psychologists and Allied Mental Health Professionals(BTMH) Dr. Mallika Indran Project Manager

2. 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

3. BACKGROUND TO MNLCT LEADERSHIP • Development of Community Mental health program • Mentoring Internationally educated psychologists • Settlement and Wellness

4. 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

5. PROGRAM COMPONENTS

7. 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.

8. 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

9. PLACEMENT TRAINING • 450 hours training in an agency that provides mental health services. • Clinical seminars to supplement the placement program

10. PLACEMENTS • Clinical Counselling • Case Management • Group Therapy • Psycho-educational group work

11. RECRUITMENT FOR PLACEMENTS • Placement posting • Resume and cover letter submission • Interview with agency • Placement offer

12. 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

13. CERTIFICATE PROGRAM • Skills to work • Children’s mental health • Adult Mental Health • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

14. NETWORKING EVENTS • Mental health employer engagement event • Graduation ceremony

15. OTHER BENEFITS • Membership with OACCPP • Liability insurance • WSIB

16. 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

17. SELECTION PROCESS • Admission paper screening • Intake Interview • Pre admission written test • Orientation

18. AGENCY SUPERVISORS • Mental health delivery role • Prior experience in supervision • Graduate level training in a mental health profession

19. CHALLENGES • Cultural awareness • Hesitancy to take initiative • Communication skills • Knowledge on legal issues, policies, procedures and scope of practice

20. 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