Electroconvulsive Therapy Program

Locations

2B-183, Burrard Building, St. Paul’s Hospital 

St. Paul's Hospital Patient & Visitor Guide

1 South Unit, Mount Saint Joseph Hospital

Mount Saint Joseph Hospital Patient & Visitor Guide

If you need help locating us, please ask one of our hospital volunteers to direct you.

About this clinic

The outpatient Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) Program serves patients with psychiatric disorders. Some conditions that see the most benefit from ECT include:

  • Major depression
  • Depression due to medical/neurological conditions
  • Bipolar disorder

We offer this therapy when first diagnosed, or as a treatment for an ongoing condition. This treatment can help maintain wellness, or achieve remission in specific conditions.

ECT is available at both St. Paul’s Hospital (SPH) and Mount Saint Joseph Hospital (MSJ).

Please note: that the MSJ program is for patients aged 65 and older.

Clinic hours

  • Sunday: Closed
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
  • Thursday: Closed
  • Friday: Closed
  • Saturday: Closed

How can we help?

Clinical trials & research

Advances in treatments are all thanks to medical research. While participating in research is a decision you should make for yourself in consultation with your care team, there is much activity in this area so please ask us about our research programs if you’re interested.

By taking part in research, you can help us all learn more about advancing health outcomes and find better ways to help people live and thrive. While you cannot assume benefit to yourself, your participation can make a difference in improving care for future patients.

The following clinical trials are currently enrolling volunteers. Please ask your care team for more information or contact the research team listed on each study or trial. For other information about research at Providence Health Care, please visit Providence Research.

Medical & professional referrals

Patients must be referred by a community psychiatrist. The ECT nurse reviews the referral. Then, if appropriate, we book a consultation with the ECT psychiatrist. To start ECT, we refer the patient to the Pre-Admission Clinic. The patient meets with the anesthesia team who helps determine their fitness for ECT and answer their questions. An ECT nurse or psychiatrist gives the patient information on how to prepare for the procedure. The ECT clinic then schedules ECT.

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