# Transferring to a Psychiatrist in Ontario

**URL:** <https://discourse.settlement.org/t/transferring-to-a-psychiatrist-in-ontario/9356>\
**Category:** Getting Health Care (OHIP)\
**Created:** [May 12, 2018, 9:48am UTC](https://discourse.settlement.org/t/transferring-to-a-psychiatrist-in-ontario/9356 "2018-05-12T09:48:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![laetitialancellotta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f17d59/32.png) [@laetitialancellotta](https://discourse.settlement.org/u/laetitialancellotta)\
**Post date:** [May 12, 2018, 9:48am UTC](https://discourse.settlement.org/t/transferring-to-a-psychiatrist-in-ontario/9356/1 "2018-05-12T09:48:25Z")

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Hi,

I’ve been living in Quebec for the past four years where I’m followed by a psychiatrist for Bipolar Disorder. I take meds everyday and discontinuing the treatment would have serious consequences on my mental health.

I’m about to move to Toronto for work in three short weeks (I just found out yesterday) and now I’m concerned about finding a new psychiatrist. I only have enough meds left for a month and a half before I run out and I heard finding a psychiatrist in Toronto is a long and painful process.

Should I have my psychiatrist in Quebec refer me to another one in Ontario?  
Do I need to see a regular doctor in Ontario to get a new referral to a psychiatrist?  
Since I’ve already seen a psychiatrist, can I just make an appointment directly with a psychiatrist?  
Will mental health clinic be able to renew my prescription?

Any advice on how to make this transition smooth (and as quick as possible!!) will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,  
L.

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**Author:** ![SettlementOrgMod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@SettlementOrgMod](https://discourse.settlement.org/u/SettlementOrgMod)\
**Post date:** [May 25, 2018, 7:31pm UTC](https://discourse.settlement.org/t/transferring-to-a-psychiatrist-in-ontario/9356/2 "2018-05-25T19:31:37Z")

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Hello,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

You may want to contact your current psychiatrist to see if they had a similar situation previously and to see if they can help you with this process.

In the meantime, you may want to try and look [for a family doctor who is accepting patients](https://settlement.org/ontario/health/find-a-doctor-or-medical-professional/find-a-doctor/how-can-i-find-a-family-doctor/) to see if they can try to make a referral.

You may also want to contact the [Mental Health Helpline](http://www.connexontario.ca/)to see if they can provide any information on this process or any referrals.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

=====  
Anna  
[Settlement.Org](http://Settlement.Org) Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS  
[Settlement.Org](http://Settlement.Org)