For Health Professionals

How to Make a Referral

Admission inquiries and referrals are directed to the Admission Coordinator. All admission referrals must include a recent psychiatric assessment. Applications are reviewed by an Admission Committee at the Claresholm Centre for Mental Health & Addictions, and a decision about admission is made as soon as possible.

Concurrent Disorders Program

Operating as a Concurrent Disorders Capable Program the Centre admits patients with co-occurring disorders whose conditions are sufficiently stable, so that neither symptoms nor disability significantly interferes with standard treatment.

Target Population
The Concurrent Disorders program provides treatment for individuals experiencing problems with:

  • Chronic pain with opiate dependence.
  • Anxiety disorders with benzodiazepine abuse.
  • Substance abuse with stable mental health disorders including mood disorder and/or anxiety disorder and/or a stable Axis II disorders which will not prevent effective treatment.

The following disorders do not fall within the program mandate of the Concurrent Disorders Program: Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Psychotic Disorder, Substance Induced Psychotic Disorder, Psychotic Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, Amnestic and other Cognitive Disorders.

Admission Criteria

Adults (18+ years of age).

  1. Detox need. We do not provide acute detox. However, we can provide slow taper for opiods and benzodiazepines. We cannot manage acute withdrawal from other substances.
  2. Medical status. Patients need to be medically stable. Their medical conditions need to be well controlled prior to admission and they need to have had a recent medical examination to ensure stability. They must have sufficient mobility and the physical capacity to be able to sit for 4 to 6 hours a day in group sessions.
  3. Psychiatric status. Patients must be psychiatrically stable with no acute suicidal risk or active psychosis. If they have personality disorders, their behavior must be stable enough to not be disruptive and must be willing and able to tolerate the structure of daily group therapy for 4 to 6 hours a day.
  4. Stage of Change and Willingness. Patients are preferred to be in the preparation or action stage of change but if they are only in contemplation or precontemplation, they must be willing to stop use of all illicit drugs and alcohol and agree to the appropriate use of all prescription and non-prescription drugs including tapering if they are misusing or overusing them. They have to be willing to attend all the required group therapy and other treatment sessions. Patients must be agreeable to harm reduction/abstinence and motivated for action stage.
  5. Relapse Potential. Patients are appropriate if they have a high relapse risk in the community and need a safe residential environment thus making them unsuitable for intensive outpatient treatment.
  6. Recovery Environment. Patients whose home environment is not conducive for recovery may be declined for admission until a structured, supportive environment for discharge is determined.

Referral Application Form for Concurrent Disorders Program

In order to process a referral for the Concurrent Disorders Program, please fax the Referral Application attention: Admission Coordinator at 403.625.3051 or contact the Admission Coordinator at 403.682.3527.

Active Rehabilitation Program

The Active Treatment program provides short term assessment and treatment intervention for adults experiencing serious psychiatric illness, accompanied by demonstrable dysfunction in the community. This 40 bed rehabilitation program focuses on restoration of adaptive functioning. Patients present with persistent symptoms of mental, emotional, or behavioural dysfunction. The service delivery model provides for varying levels of care and gradual transition to independent living.

Admission Criteria

Adults (18+ years of age).

  1. Diagnosis. Primary Axis 1 psychiatric diagnosis must be evidenced. Recent psychiatric assessment must be completed and accompanied by a referral letter from the attending psychiatrist.
  2. Medical Status. Patients need to be medically stable. Their medical conditions need to be well controlled prior to admission. A recent medical examination is required to ensure stability. They must have sufficient mobility to attend programming which occurs throughout a large facility as well as offsite.
  3. Psychiatric Status. Patients must be psychiatrically stable with no acute suicidal/homicidal risk. If a patient has a personality disorder(s), their behavior must be stable enough not to be disruptive and they must be willing and able to tolerate the structure of programming.
  4. Skill Development. Patients must have the potential for skill development which will lead to increased independence. Patients must be willing to attend all the required group therapy and other treatment sessions.
  5. Therapeutic Environment. Patients are appropriate if they have an ability to function in an open community-integrated setting. Patients are generally not admitted if they require levels of care that present a risk due to open therapeutic environment of the Centre. Patients at high risk for elopement are not admitted.
  6. Pre-Admission Discharge Planning. Patients requiring identification documents, housing, guardianship, trusteeship, financial assistance should have these applications already made prior to referral so that treatment is focused on patient wellness and reintegration.

Referral Application Form for Active Rehabilitation Program

In order to process a referral for the Active Rehabilitative Program, please fax the Referral Application attention: Admission Coordinator at 403.625.3051 or contact the Admission Coordinator at 403.682.3527.

Extended Rehabilitation Program

The Extended Treatment program provides treatment and intervention for adults experiencing treatment resistant psychiatric illness. This 40 bed rehabilitation program provides a service spectrum that focuses on supportive psychiatric care. Individuals are eventually transitioned to supportive housing or a long term care centre as appropriate.

Admission Criteria

Adults (18+ years of age).

  1. Diagnosis. Primary Axis 1 psychiatric diagnosis must be evidenced. Recent psychiatric assessment must be completed and accompanied by a referral letter from the attending psychiatrist.
  2. Medical Status. Patients need to be medically stable. Their medical conditions need to be well controlled prior to admission. A recent medical examination is required to ensure stability. They must have sufficient mobility to attend programming which occurs throughout a large facility and offsite, as well.
  3. Psychiatric Status. Patients must be psychiatrically stable with no acute suicidal/homicidal risk.
  4. Therapeutic Environment. Patients are appropriate if they have an ability to function in an open and community-integrated setting. Patients are generally not admitted if they require levels of care that present a risk due to the open therapeutic environment of the Centre. Patients at high risk for elopement or wandering are not admitted.
  5. Pre-Admission Discharge Planning. Patients requiring identification documents, housing, guardianship, trusteeship, financial assistance should have these applications already made prior to referral so that treatment is focused on patient wellness.

Referral Application Form for Extended Rehabilitation Program

In order to process a referral for the Extended Rehabilitation Program, please fax the Referral Application attention: Admission Coordinator at 403.625.3051 or contact the Admission Coordinator at 403.682.3527.