WSIB Mental Health Program of Care

Helping You Return to Work, Life, and Wellness

When recovering from a workplace mental health injury, it can be difficult to know where to start. Occupational Therapists (OTs) help bridge the gap between injury, recovery, and return to meaningful daily life, including work.

At Gowan Consulting, our Occupational Therapists specialize in helping individuals referred through the WSIB Mental Health Program of Care. We focus on practical, goal-oriented treatment that empowers clients to rebuild skills, confidence, and daily function at a pace that feels safe and supported.

Gowan Consulting and WSIB

Gowan Consulting is a trusted WSIB service provider specializing in occupational therapy for mental health injuries. Our team provides assessment and treatment services within the WSIB Mental Health Stress Injuries Program, helping individuals with conditions such as:

• Work-related stress or burnout
• Anxiety, depression, and trauma-related injuries
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Adjustment disorders and pain-related challenges

We work closely with WSIB case managers, healthcare teams, and employers to ensure you receive coordinated, evidence-based care that supports recovery and return to work.

First Responder Mental Health

Many individuals in trauma-impacted roles, such as first responders, healthcare providers, and other professionals exposed to critical incidents, face unique challenges during recovery. Repeated exposure to trauma can affect stress responses, sleep, concentration, emotional regulation, and confidence in returning to demanding work environments.

Targeted support can help individuals build resiliency to manage the ongoing impact of trauma and safely reconnect with the responsibilities and environments that are part of their daily roles.

Why Choose an Occupational Therapist?

Occupational Therapists take a whole-person approach to recovery. We understand that a mental health injury impacts how a person thinks, feels, and functions in daily life.

Our OTs help you:

• Rebuild routines and goals so you can participate in self-care, productivity, leisure, and important life roles
• Develop coping strategies for managing anxiety, mood, and stress
• Improve cognitive skills, such as concentration, memory, and organization
• Regain confidence in returning to work or community roles

Because OTs are trained in both mental and physical health, they are uniquely positioned to connect mental health treatment with practical, real-world functioning, which is a key step toward long-term recovery and work readiness.

What to Expect from Occupational Therapy Sessions 

How OT Treatment Works

Our treatment programs are collaborative and client-centered. Depending on your needs and goals, your Occupational Therapist may include:

Psychotherapy:
OTs with advanced mental health training use evidence-based psychotherapy approaches. These methods help clients understand thought patterns, reframe perspectives, build coping strategies, and process emotional responses to workplace challenges.

Exposure Therapy:
For clients experiencing trauma, anxiety, or avoidance, exposure therapy can be part of treatment. OTs guide gradual, supported exposure to feared or distressing situations (always at a pace that maintains safety and trust) helping clients manage workplace triggers and regain control and confidence.

Our Team of Occupational Therapists

Gowan Consulting has over 20 years of experience supporting clients across Canada. Our team includes highly trained OTs with expertise in:

• Mental health and trauma-informed care
• Psychotherapy and exposure-based interventions
• Cognitive and functional rehabilitation
• Workplace accommodation and return-to-work planning
• Pain management and energy conservation