Ottawa Institute of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

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.

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 I’ve received I am reluctant to continue. Been harassed and hounded is not good business my appointment wasn’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 yet… a little bill hungry!

Engaging this shop is like entering the public service of Canada: process centred, division of labour, robots, acronyms, delays.

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 he’s assisted me in applying what I’ve learned to real life situations. It takes time and lots of practice but in my experience with OICBT, it has been very helpful.

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.

Well I’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? That’s robbery they didn’t charge that before Covid hit, try another company. It’s shameful to charge an assessment fee when people are needing a service and they are making it harder to afford it. I’m going to try. Advanced Health out if Toronto they can fit me in 10 day wait and rates are reasonable no assessment fee

I was hopeful about this place but the intake process has left me very disappointed. I regret investing the time and money.

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.

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.

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"

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.

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.