PSPNET is a free online mental health program for PSP provided by the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT) at the University of Regina. The team delivers free internet-delivered therapy programs, and conducts research on various aspects of ICBT for PSP in Canada.

We offer four programs:

• The PSP Wellbeing Course is appropriate for clients who experience diverse mental health concerns (includes preventative or more severe symptoms).
• The PSP PTSD Course is more specific to clients who are primarily concerned with symptoms of post-traumatic stress (no diagnosis required).
• The Sleep Course is our shortest course and provides evidence-based solutions to real sleep challenges commonly faced by PSP.
• The Spouse or Significant Other Course helps current or former spouses or significant others of PSP learn simple but effective strategies to improve diverse mental health concerns.

ICBT delivers the same evidence-based treatment content as traditional face-to-face cognitive behavioural therapy through a free online platform. It helps you understand how thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are connected, and provides practical strategies for managing symptoms independently.

The program consists of lessons presented through text, graphics, and videos, typically completed over 6 to 8 weeks. You work through one lesson every 1 to 2 weeks, with each building on previously learned skills. At the end of each lesson, you’ll practice what you’ve learned through assigned tasks that reinforce the strategies.

Research shows that ICBT is highly effective, producing results comparable to in-person therapy.

ICBT can be delivered with therapist support via secure emails or completed independently as a self-guided program.

ICBT offers flexibility and accessibility that traditional therapy can’t always provide:

• Access on your schedule — no appointments to book, complete lessons when it works for you
• Learn from anywhere — access materials anytime, from home or on the go
• Go at your own pace — move through content as quickly or slowly as you need
• Privacy and convenience — no office visits, travel time, or scheduling conflicts
• Keep what you learn — download and print materials to reference anytime
• Therapist support when you need it — secure messaging with your therapist (for guided courses)
• Completely free — no cost for current or former PSP and their families

PSPNET is funded through 2028. We’re working on a long-term sustainability plan to ensure we can continue providing mental health support to PSP long-term.

Our research examines how PSP engage with ICBT, what level of therapist support is most helpful, and how the ICBT impacts symptoms and functioning over time. We’re identifying both strengths and areas for improvement to continually enhance ICBT for PSP.

Currently, we’re studying four courses:

• PSP Wellbeing Course
• PSP PTSD Course
• SSO Course
• Sleep Course

This ongoing research helps us ensure our programs remain effective and responsive to PSP needs.

Step 1 — Read about the Courses

These are the courses currently being offered. Please note that some courses are only available in specific provinces.

Available to residents of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, Quebec, Ontario and Saskatchewan:

• The PSP-Wellbeing Course (English and French)
• PSP PTSD Course (English and French)
• The Sleep Course (English only currently)

If you are interested in ICBT and signing up for one of our Courses, follow the “Account Signup” link provided under the “Courses” or the “My Account” tab. Instructions TBD based on final design

Note: We also have some capacity to support PSP in Alberta, contact us at pspnet@uregina.ca to confirm your interest, and we can advise of availability.

Available Canada-wide in both English and French:

• Self-Guided PSP Wellbeing Course
• Self-Guided Spouse or Significant (SSO) Course

Step 2 — Complete a screening

Before you begin, we want to ensure ICBT is a good fit for your needs. This means understanding what you’re currently experiencing.

Online Screening (For all our courses):

You will be asked for your contact information and to answer questionnaires about your symptoms. This should take approximately 20 minutes.

For clients interested in our therapist-guided Wellbeing or PTSD Course:

1. Complete your online screening and book a 20–30 min call with a therapist.
2. During the call, the therapist will review your responses, confirm your eligibility, and help determine if the course is a good fit for you.
3. If eligible, you’ll choose a start date for the course (as early as the next day).

For clients interested in our Sleep Course, Self-Guided Wellbeing Course or Spouse or Significant Other Course:

1. Complete your online screening.
2. A team member will review your responses, and you will receive an email confirming your eligibility for the course of your choice within 2–3 business days.
3. Start your course.

If you’re interested in signing up today for ICBT, follow the “Account Signup” link provided under the “Courses” or the “My Account” tab. Instructions TBD based on final design

If you have questions, you can also call the PSPNET office at 306-337-7233 (SAFE) or toll free at 1-833-317-7233 (SAFE).

We are committed to providing high-quality support to help you manage mental health symptoms. To get the most from this program, we ask that you:

• Read all emails carefully
• Complete questionnaires within 48 hours of receiving them
• Have access to a reliable computer and internet connection
• Commit to working through the course consistently for 8 weeks and practice the strategies you learn

ICBT requires commitment and active participation to be effective. You’ll invest 1 to 2 hours per week reviewing lessons and completing practice exercises. It’s similar to a workout routine where consistent, small efforts lead to meaningful results.

The program is designed to fit into busy schedules. Some people work through materials quickly, while others pace themselves more gradually. Over 80% of clients complete the program within 8 weeks.

Success with ICBT comes from applying what you learn. The practice exercises (Do-It-Yourself Activities) at the end of each lesson are essential to help you build skills and create lasting change. With consistent effort, ICBT provides a strong foundation for managing symptoms long-term.

Our website is user-friendly and easy to navigate, requiring no advanced computer skills. If you experience any technical difficulties, feel free to call or email us for assistance.

ICBT is well-suited for PSP seeking education and early prevention of mental health concerns, as well as those with mild to significant symptoms. It’s effective for individuals experiencing:

• A range of symptoms, from mild to severe
• Issues like anxiety, worry, social phobia, panic, depression, and PTSD
• Life challenges such as work, relationship, financial, or health problems
• Ongoing symptoms or those triggered by recent trauma

Yes, if your current therapist recommends it. Our courses can be used as a supplement to ongoing therapy or while you’re on a waitlist for other services. We encourage you to discuss this with your mental health provider to ensure it complements your treatment plan.

Research shows that ICBT is effective for individuals with mild, moderate, and severe mental health concerns. Before starting, you will complete screenings to ensure the course is a good fit. However, ICBT may not be suitable for individuals with certain conditions, such as daily, intrusive thoughts of harming oneself or others, recent harm, life-threatening situations, delusions or hallucinations, or substance use concerns. In these cases, immediate in-person support is recommended.

Throughout ICBT, your therapist will monitor your progress via questionnaires, secure emails, and or calls. If significant changes in your symptoms are noted, your therapist will recommend and assist you in accessing appropriate services in your area.

ICBT is based on research with thousands of clients in Australia and Canada, and has now been studied with thousands of PSP as well. PSPNET has adapted the treatment materials to better meet the needs of PSP. We gather your feedback throughout the course to continuously improve our services. If unique needs arise, our team is dedicated to addressing your concerns with care and support. PSPNET staff are committed to working with first responders and PSP.

Support depends on the course you choose.

The PSP Wellbeing Course, PSP PTSD Course, and PSP Sleep Course offer therapist support, based on your preferences.

Options for support include optional therapist support (when requested) or weekly check-ins by phone or email

• Therapists are available via secure online messaging for questions and may call if clinically beneficial.
• Support includes encouragement and help applying course techniques, with contact length based on your needs.

The Self-Guided PSP Wellbeing Course and the PSP Spouse or Significant Other Wellbeing Course are self-guided with no therapist support.

Research shows that ICBT with therapist support achieves similar results to face-to-face therapy. PSPNET therapists use various methods, such as regular questionnaires, secure email, and phone check-ins, to assess your progress. Our therapists are trained and supervised in delivering ICBT to PSP, and clients consistently report high satisfaction with the support they receive.

Yes. The PSPNET website is hosted and maintained by the University of Regina. All information you share with therapists is encrypted using secure socket layer (SSL) technology — the same level of security as online banking. Messages are securely sent and stored on encrypted servers.

Your participation is confidential, and only members of the PSPNET research team have access to your information. However, confidentiality must be broken in certain circumstances:

• Potential imminent harm to you or others
• Suspected neglect or harm to a child, including witnessing violence
• Court order to release information
• Where required by law

PSPNET is a research facility. As such, when your information is used for research purposes, it is de-identified to protect your privacy. This means it’s analyzed and presented in a way that prevents anyone from identifying you.

While we maintain strong security on our end, you can take these steps to protect your privacy: 

• Use a personal computer, not a shared or public device
• Never share your login information (PSPNET staff will never ask for your password)
• Choose a strong, unique password
• Always log out after finishing your work and before leaving your computer
• Enable “privacy” mode in your browser to prevent saving your session history.

Additional security measures

• Use a firewall to protect your computer and data, either through built-in software (e.g., Windows firewall) or trusted third-party software like ZoneAlarm
• Install reputable anti-virus software — free options are available, but ensure they are from trusted sources
• Use malware detection software (e.g., Spybot or Microsoft Security Essentials) to scan for potential threats
• If using a shared computer, ensure security software is installed and up to date

For best results, we recommend starting when you can commit to working through the program consistently. The course typically runs 8 to 12 weeks, and regular engagement helps you build skills effectively.

If you have a vacation planned, consider starting after you return. If something unexpected comes up after you’ve already begun, please message your therapist to let them know how long you’ll be away and when you plan to resume.

You can withdraw from the program at any time without consequence. While we hope ICBT will be helpful, we understand it may not be the right fit for everyone. If you do decide to stop, we’d appreciate hearing your feedback to help us improve the program for other PSP.

If you would like posters to distribute to your organization please contact us at pspnet@uregina.ca

You can download brief handouts about our services here. Feel free to email the handouts to anyone you think might be interested in learning more about PSPNET.

PSPNET team members are also often available to present on PSPNET either in person or via webinars.

Please click here for more information on how to download audio from our courses.

The most common issue preventing access is using an email instead of your assigned username. If you do not remember your assigned username, email pspnet@uregina.ca or call us at 306-337-7233 or 1-833-317-7233.

Please click here for instructions on how to reset your password.

The most common issue preventing access to material content is not completing all active surveys. If you have active surveys, you will not be able to access the course content until you complete the surveys.

Click here to see an example.