CAMH Social Anxiety & Disorder’s Clinic Information.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Clinic
The Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Clinic provides short-term treatment of depression. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, a type of psychotherapy, can help many people struggling with depression to deal more effectively with this problem. People learn to recognize that their thinking styles can contribute to the sad moods and despair that characterize depression. With time, they come to see alternatives to what their minds habitually tell them. The CBT Clinic also conducts ongoing research to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment and to refine understanding of what is most helpful to clients.
Referral Required: Yes, from Family Doctor or Psychiatrist
Contact: (416) 535-8501, ext. 4877
Contact: Fax: (416) 260-4208
Location: 11th Floor, 250 College St. Toronto, Ontario
I Want To Connect With The Gay Black Male Community In Toronto.
Since I have social anxiety disorder, sometimes I become very withdrawn, self conscious, and isolated. In the last few months, I have made several serious attempts to address my social anxiety.
For instance, last year I was involved in group therapy at the Centre For Addiction & Mental Health in Toronto at the College street site. I thought I was “crazy” because the CAMH building is a mental health hospital for people with “mental health issues.”
The psychologist at CAMH, she said social anxiety disorder is actually very common. The cognitive behavioural therapy lasted three months from September to December 2009. The Cognitive behaviorial therapy is also “free”. I believe anyone in the Greater Toronto Area please contact the Centre For Addiction & Mental Health if you believe you require support.
The cognitive behaviorial therapy was hard work but I believe it has helped me to realize a few things. The first obvious issue I realize is a I have a choice. I have a choice to either remain isolated, depressed, and unhappy or change my life.
Of course, it can be tough meeting “new people” because I worry about a lot of things. For instance, I wonder “do I sound strange”, or “will I fit in”, or “am I talking enough”, things like that.
For a long time, I did not trust people and I definitely did not trust men. Last year, at an informal social anxiety support group which is run by the amazing Earla Dunbar at the College Street site I met two nice heterosexual women. I have known the two heterosexual women for exactly one year now. I have visited their homes, gone to the movies with them, hanged out at bars and pubs, coffee shops. I really feel good about my development.
I now have two new female friends this is a new experience for me. I used to live in this “gay bubble” this gay universe where the only people I socialized with were other homosexuals. I learned from my two female heterosexual friends that straight people are not bad people they are just people.
Although I have formed two new friendships with the straight women, I still feel there is a void in my life. I no longer have the “gay connection” that I once had. I realize that my “gay life” is an important part of my life. Last year, I was involved in another community that wasn’t my own.
I received an e-mail earlier this week about a new black gay men’s group in Toronto. I decided after my lecture on Friday to attend the black gay men’s group. I am glad I attended. It was nice being in the company of other gay black men. I thought the turn out for yesterday’s meeting was kind of low but I am happy that I went to the group.
Last fall, I attended another gay men’s group but all the other members were white gay men. Now, I will say, the white gay men at the group and the facilitators are nice people.
However, I felt uncomfortable at the group. I was thinking why do I feel this way? After all, the white gay men at the group were also gay and friendly, but I just felt I did not belong there.
I am cognizant, it is important for me to reconnect with my “blackness” and be more involved with the “black gay community” in Toronto. It does require some research and homework but I feel this is important to me.
Another blogger Aulelia, she said it is very important for a black person to have black friends to know people that are the same race. Although Toronto is a multicultural city, I think Aulelia made a cogent argument.
I had relationships and friendships with gay men in the past that were not black. Some of the non black people I knew were indeed nice people, but I am not sure they “truly” understood my perspective.
However, I now realize that reconnecting with the black gay community is important to me.
The reason why is, I don’t have to “explain” “certain issues” to another black person about what it means to be “black” they just “get it”.
I haven’t connected with a group of black gay men yet but I believe I will. I will if I continue to get out there and make the effort to meet more black people.
Gayblackcanada 