This has probably been asked and answered here already, but has anyone dealt with CAMH in Toronto recently? I have an appointment at their gender clinic coming up and I'm wondering what to expect as I've heard quite a bit about their bad reputation in the past. The person who called to set up the appointment assured me that they've gotten better and not to believe what I've heard, but obviously she's not really impartial.

So yeah, I'd like to hear anyone's experiences with them in the last few years to get an idea about what to expect.

Quote from: RB. on February 26, 2015, 09:14:58 PM
This has probably been asked and answered here already, but has anyone dealt with CAMH in Toronto recently? I have an appointment at their gender clinic coming up and I'm wondering what to expect as I've heard quite a bit about their bad reputation in the past. The person who called to set up the appointment assured me that they've gotten better and not to believe what I've heard, but obviously she's not really impartial.

So yeah, I'd like to hear anyone's experiences with them in the last few years to get an idea about what to expect.

I had heard the same thing, but was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't near as bad. McIntosh is a bit of a toughie, asked a few questions that never came up in therapy about my childhood, and lots of questions about suicide. I came out of my two sessions really not knowing yea or nay, but received my confirmation letter a few months later.

@Muffinheart Thanks for your reply! I'm glad to hear that they're not as bad as what I've heard as I've been on edge about this appointment. They've been kind of vague about the appointment and what's expected of me, but it sounds like I'll get a fair assessment at least.

Quote from: RB. on February 27, 2015, 01:40:59 AM
@Muffinheart Thanks for your reply! I'm glad to hear that they're not as bad as what I've heard as I've been on edge about this appointment. They've been kind of vague about the appointment and what's expected of me, but it sounds like I'll get a fair assessment at least.

That's why, one thing I've learned throughout my transition, to take others and their comments with a grain of salt. Most people love to spread here say, and it sort of pisses me off.
I think making a huge step by visiting the good folks at CAMH is important for two reasons:
1. It solidifies you are gender dysphoric, that for you surgery is necessary to your well being
2. Because the Ontario taxpayer is paying for my surgery, last year they funded about 100 surgeries. I'm pretty sure OHIP needs to ensure there is a process and the right people are getting the help they need.

You'll be fine, just be yourself, be prepared to be asked questions about your childhood, your struggles, and how much this means to you.

CAMH has a bad reputation but it's changed a lot in the last 5 years and they are now much better

When I first went in 2012, I was 16. I had an "interview" with two interns who asked me wildly uncomfortable questions (i.e. "have you done anal", "have you ever touched another boy's penis", "what do you fantasize about when you masturbate", etc.) that didn't even really seem pertinent to anything, but I dealt with it. I had to fill out 5 different "surveys" of different lengths that just goes through mind-numbingly stereotypical questions regarding my past and gender role. The next appointment after that was scheduled to be about 6 months after that, but I was so discouraged that I left.   

I recently went back last year and had a much more positive experience. That being said, I was 18 at the time and was considered an adult (I'm not sure if that had anything to do with it). Dr. Zucker told me that I have to transfer to the adult clinic, but I'm not sure when that will be.

In any case, CAMH holds all the funding for SRS through OHIP. So there's no avoiding it really unless you can do without SRS (or pay the exorbitant fee personally). 

CAMH sucks. Even though I met all their requirements to get approved and showed them documentation for proof, they are still making me wait longer and longer. Its nearing 4 years now since I had my first referral there and I am still waiting because apparently they think I don't have a large enough support group of friends and family or something even though my family supports me 100%  or that I wasn't living full time for the year, even though I showed them pay stubs from work spanning a year with my changed name and everything. Hell I've even had top surgery already and a hysterectomy. (These are the 'excuses' they give but I am sure they are making me wait longer cause they think I'm too young (20) since the lady told me I would be one of, if not the youngest patient approved there last year.) This waiting and uncertainty is ruining my planned path through university because of appointments and having to fly back  to Ontario. (studying in BC right now).

Other than that though they're OK I guess. Every time I see or hear CAMH though, I get kind of worked up, not gonna lie. Even my GP thinks this forced waiting is kind of exaggerated.

Quote from: randomdude5 on March 05, 2015, 12:49:19 PM
CAMH sucks. Even though I met all their requirements to get approved and showed them documentation for proof, they are still making me wait longer and longer. Its nearing 4 years now since I had my first referral there and I am still waiting because apparently they think I don't have a large enough support group of friends and family or something even though my family supports me 100%  or that I wasn't living full time for the year, even though I showed them pay stubs from work spanning a year with my changed name and everything. Hell I've even had top surgery already and a hysterectomy. (These are the 'excuses' they give but I am sure they are making me wait longer cause they think I'm too young (20) since the lady told me I would be one of, if not the youngest patient approved there last year.) This waiting and uncertainty is ruining my planned path through university because of appointments and having to fly back  to Ontario. (studying in BC right now).

Other than that though they're OK I guess. Every time I see or hear CAMH though, I get kind of worked up, not gonna lie. Even my GP thinks this forced waiting is kind of exaggerated.

i honestly don't think it's an age thing. mainly because of my experience (i was approved for hormones at 21 - 22ish and there is also no more RLE requirements for hormones or surgery) and mainly because i know someone who was 18 and got approved for hormones (MTF though) in a few appointments with them.

BC however does have a good "gender identity clinics" but idk how that works with you being from ontario. if you don't want to go through CAMH, i think sherbourne in toronto does HRT but i know you have to go through CAMH for surgeries to be funded by OHIP (which shouldn't be an issue for you since you had top surgery).

There is still a 1 year RL requirement for surgery and they go by you being full time at your place of work/school etc.

HRT is easy here, you can get that from any doctor that's willing to prescribe it, I get mine from my GP.

Quote from: invisiblemonsters on March 05, 2015, 09:07:05 PM
i honestly don't think it's an age thing. mainly because of my experience (i was approved for hormones at 21 - 22ish and there is also no more RLE requirements for hormones or surgery) and mainly because i know someone who was 18 and got approved for hormones (MTF though) in a few appointments with them.

BC however does have a good "gender identity clinics" but idk how that works with you being from ontario. if you don't want to go through CAMH, i think sherbourne in toronto does HRT but i know you have to go through CAMH for surgeries to be funded by OHIP (which shouldn't be an issue for you since you had top surgery).

Quote from: invisiblemonsters on March 05, 2015, 09:07:05 PM
i honestly don't think it's an age thing. mainly because of my experience (i was approved for hormones at 21 - 22ish and there is also no more RLE requirements for hormones or surgery) and mainly because i know someone who was 18 and got approved for hormones (MTF though) in a few appointments with them.

BC however does have a good "gender identity clinics" but idk how that works with you being from ontario. if you don't want to go through CAMH, i think sherbourne in toronto does HRT but i know you have to go through CAMH for surgeries to be funded by OHIP (which shouldn't be an issue for you since you had top surgery).

Yeah, I'm keeping with CAMH cause I am so close and I've been waiting for years. Don't get me wrong, I know I am very lucky to have been able to get top surgery (paid for, not through CAMH) and I am already on HRT and have been for years since around 17. I just wanna get this last step (bottom surgery) done so I can put this all behind me and move on, but they keep making me wait longer and longer. Like I said, I gave them all the necessary documents, told them exactly who I want to get the surgery done by and everything. I have planned everything already and had already done all my research years ago. The only possible reason is cause they think I'm too young, lol.

It gets to me.

As far as the type of questions they ask and stuff, it hasn't been as bad as some other psychiatrists I had seen before. Some other psychiatrists I saw previously were asking me stuff like how often I masturbate and called me sexually retarded as if that is even a thing. Does it really come as a surprise that someone who hates their body doesn't wanna do anything with those parts? Lmao. So at least CAMH wins in that respect, to me anyways.

Quote from: randomdude5 on March 06, 2015, 06:15:26 AM
Yeah, I'm keeping with CAMH cause I am so close and I've been waiting for years. Don't get me wrong, I know I am very lucky to have been able to get top surgery (paid for, not through CAMH) and I am already on HRT and have been for years since around 17. I just wanna get this last step (bottom surgery) done so I can put this all behind me and move on, but they keep making me wait longer and longer. Like I said, I gave them all the necessary documents, told them exactly who I want to get the surgery done by and everything. I have planned everything already and had already done all my research years ago. The only possible reason is cause they think I'm too young, lol.

It gets to me.

As far as the type of questions they ask and stuff, it hasn't been as bad as some other psychiatrists I had seen before. Some other psychiatrists I saw previously were asking me stuff like how often I masturbate and called me sexually retarded as if that is even a thing. Does it really come as a surprise that someone who hates their body doesn't wanna do anything with those parts? Lmao. So at least CAMH wins in that respect, to me anyways.

i have heard that the surgery wait list for CAMH is lengthy but i didn't have that issue (maybe because i went to them for T and so i get bumped up on the list? idk i didn't have this huge wait though as i heard people who just go to them for surgery have had). as soon as i started T (last may), i contacted them a few months later (juneish) to tell them i wanted surgery. a month later i had an appointment to see them (in august) and 6 weeks later, i was approved for surgery. this was top surgery though. i've had my top surgery planned since december and i'm getting it done in 2 weeks.