Forensic Psychiatric Regional Clinics & Programs

We provide mental health and substance use treatment and assessments for people who are in conflict with the law. We provide the assessments at the request of the courts.

We evaluate a person's fitness to stand trial and criminal responsibility for a crime. We also conduct expert pre-sentence psychiatric and psychological assessments.

We also provide monitoring for people who have a conditional discharge from the BC Review Board. The BC Review Board provides legal oversight to people in BC who have been found not criminally responsible for a crime or unfit to stand trial due to a mental disorder. This monitoring includes making sure that people are following their treatment as well as the BC Review Board’s conditions.

We also provide treatment services to clients who are referred by Community Corrections on a legal order such as probation or a release order once they are living in the community.

Our clinics are for people with a mental health and/or substance use disorder who have come into contact with the law. The courts may refer them to one of our regional clinics for assessment and treatment.

People will also attend the regional clinics if they have received a conditional discharge from the BC Review Board. A conditional discharge means they are well enough to leave the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital, but must take part in monitoring and ongoing treatment. They must also live where the BC Review Board decides.

Referrals

We only accept referrals from BC provincial courts or community corrections staff. This applies to both the forensic psychiatric regional clinics and programs and the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital. We do not accept referrals from other health care providers.

If you are a health care provider and you have questions about a patient or client’s eligibility, call the regional clinic in your area. Clinic contact details are below. 

We believe that people, when properly supported, have the ability to manage most aspects of their lives. We focus on people's strengths and resources instead of on symptoms and problems. They are a key member of their treatment team and an active participant in their own care.

Clients receive the following mental health and addiction treatment services:

• Expert clinical forensic psychiatry and psychology assessments 
• Treatment and counselling for mental illness, substance use, and concurrent disorders (a combination of a severe mental illness and addiction)
• Opioid agonist treatment
• Nursing and social work support
• Outreach support

Care team members include:

• Psychiatrists
• Physicians
• Psychologists 
• Nurses
• Counsellors
• Social workers
• Outreach workers

Our care is based on research and is trauma-informed. "Trauma-informed" means care teams make sure you feel safe, secure and supported. Trauma-informed care is especially important for forensic clients as most have encountered stigma, trauma or adverse childhood experiences.  

If you are Indigenous, a dedicated Indigenous care coordinator (ICC) can support you and your family while you are receiving care at one of the forensic psychiatric regional clinics. The coordinator ensures you have access to high quality care that is free of discrimination. They also help empower you to determine your own health care needs.

The coordinator can support you by incorporating Indigenous wellness practices as part of your treatment plan. They can also facilitate access to Indigenous-specific programming that is culturally safe and relevant.

You can request support from the coordinator at any point during your time with the clinic. You can ask any member of your health care team to submit a referral.

The Indigenous care coordinator provides:

• Holistic care planning and Indigenous wellness programming
• Individual cultural and spiritual supports, including coordination and access to Sacred Spaces
• Client and family advocacy
• Help in addressing and/or reporting care that is harmful or discriminatory
• Health system navigation, including support with communicating to your health care team

The coordinator can also assist with:

• Discharge planning and resource coordination
• Connecting with First Nations Health Benefits or Non-Insured Health Benefits program for First Nations or Inuit
• Connecting with other sources of support available to all Indigenous patients
• Group facilitation
• Cultural programming