The START Clinic for Mood & Anxiety Disorders offers specialized outpatient assessment and treatment services for people with mood & anxiety disorders.

Subsequent to a referral into our clinic, we begin with a thorough individual assessment. This entails a consultation as an evaluation to assist in determining what may be contributing to the individual’s problematic condition. A treatment plan is then outlined to meet the unique individual's needs.

The most common treatment methods we offer involve group and individual cognitive-behavioural therapy, and psychopharmacology or medication treatments.

Cognitive-behavioural therapy helps people learn to think, feel, and behave in a way that will reduce the symptoms contributing to their overwhelming anxiety. Cognitive-behavioural therapy facilitates one to identify, challenge and modify inaccurate beliefs (cognitive distortions) and this helps the patient to separate realistic from unrealistic fears or thought patterns. A variety of treatment techniques are used. The main treatment tools are "thought records and exposures" which helps people become more comfortable with the feared, anxiety-producing object or situation.

Self-monitoring assessment tools are used to monitor daily activities. Self-monitoring is a tool which can help you track your progress and see how well you are doing, helping you maintain results, or figure out what you can change to get back on track.

Group therapy cognitive behavioural therapy meetings are structured to be 16 week programs which involve problem solving, group interaction, and weekly homework.
Medications are frequently used and are helpful in reducing the symptoms of anxiety. We provide medication evaluation and ongoing follow up.

As well, the START Clinic for Mood & Anxiety Disorders participates in many ongoing research projects. This research helps us to continually improve our understanding and knowledge of the various mood and anxiety disorders and improve treatments for those suffering from mental health concerns.

Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic Medicine is a unique form of primary health care that focuses on combining modern scientific knowledge with traditional natural forms of medicine. It focuses on creating circumstances to allow the body to heal itself as well as treating the underlying cause and preventing it from re-occurring. Naturopathic Doctors, Such as Dr. Baljit Khamba draw attention to a whole body approach to healing whereby she addresses the underlying cause of illness rather than merely treating the symptoms. Further, she explores the importance of preventing illness and disease by assessing risk factors, heredity, and individual susceptibility to disease. In addressing a person’s health concerns, Naturopathic Doctors look at the ‘whole picture’ – the physical, mental, environmental, and social aspects. This results in a treatment that is carefully tailored to meet each individual’s needs. The means by which Naturopathic Doctors treat are through:

• Nutritional Counseling and Clinical Nutrition
• Botanical/Herbal Medicine
• Asian Medicine and Acupuncture
• Homeopathy
• Physical Therapy
• Lifestyle Counseling

The treatment provided by Dr. Khamba is integrated with the work of the other clinicians in order to provide maximal likelihoods of more positive outcomes.