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WE GET IT CAUSE WE GOT IT

A NON-PROFIT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO HELPING PEOPLE WITH OCD, THEIR FAMILIES & FRIENDS.

a man is reading burning newspaper

Introduction to OCD Canada

We understand what you are going through - we get it cause we got it.

Everyone at OCD Canada has firsthand experience managing OCD and appreciates and understands how difficult it is to battle this disorder alone.

So many people with OCD feel like they don't have a life. OCD Canada helps people with OCD get and live a fulfilling life. Sharing your story with others, and reading or hearing their stories, provides hope and strength. You can join one of our OCD Downtown Self-Help Support Groups and schedule one-on-one meetings with a therapist who has OCD.

Whether you have OCD or are a family member, friend or health professional, OCD Canada can educate you on the signs and symptoms, how we can help you and your support system(s) to work with various treatments and therapies which are often vital to manage OCD.

Managing OCD isn’t the easiest thing to do – but it is most certainly possible.

OCD Canada is entirely self-funded. We have received our charitable status as a nonprofit organization. OCD Canada will launch more services and programs over time, and form more partnerships to help people with OCD, their families and friends.

Don't forget - We understand what you are going through. We get it cause we got it.

Our Team

image of Rick Silver

RICK SILVER

Rick is passionate about OCD, and over the past 20+ years has worked with hundreds of people with various forms of OCD in group format and one-on-one sessions. He is not a doctor and relies on his strong relationships with doctors, various hospitals, and the Center for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto as confidential resources from time to time.

Rick has battled OCD since early childhood. He was finally diagnosed with OCD in the seventies and has managed through a lot of hard work, most of which was self-taught, over many years to keep his OCD managable. His life is much better since over 95% of his OCD issues are in check.

Having OCD, and going through a very difficult childhood when OCD still had not been identified or given a name, has given him more insight than most doctors and therapists because he ‘gets it’.

Rick graduated from the University of Toronto with honours, and after a successful career running his own business, he now dedicates all of his time to helping others with OCD. What makes him happiest is when he sees someone feel better about themselves when they realize they have a disorder that can be managed and that they can feel great about themselves and become an active member of society.

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MIKE CRUM

I presented with OCD in 1979, but nobody "got me". The fine folks at a children’s mental hospital provided me with a day of tests and decided not to keep me. Not sure if that was a win or loss, but it did mean ten years of alligator hands, moving my bed across the room each night to prevent a fire, a two to three hour nightly ritual removing ‘glass shards’ from the carpet in my bedroom, and countless other contamination and counting rituals.

In 1989, among other things, I wasn’t eating when it rained or at night, and barely wobbled through final exams at Virginia Tech when I was finally diagnosed with OCD. I went on medication and it changed my world. Since then, it's taken much more than medicine to tame and manage my OCD. I’ve relied on CBT, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, a loving and understanding partner, doctors, social workers, Rick, nonprofit volunteer service, exercise, foster dogs, compassionate family and friends, and other resources to patch together what works for me.

It's still a slog - but trust me, you can manage your OCD.

Advisory Board

image of Doctor Lynn Wilson

DR. LYNN WILSON

Dr. Lynn Wilson, MD, CCFP, FCFP, Vice-Dean, Partnerships, Faculty of Medicine Associate Vice Provost, Relations with Health Care Institutions University of Toronto Dr. Wilson completed her undergraduate degree at McMaster University, and her medical degree and postgraduate training at the University of Toronto. Prior to being named Vice Dean, Partnerships, Prof. Wilson served as Chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine (University of Toronto). Prof. Wilson has also led some of the collaborations with the Faculty’s key partners. As a member of the Physician Services Committee for the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care, she helped to lead primary care renewal in Ontario (2002-2007). Dr. Wilson is also the co-director of BRIDGES, a Ministry of Health funded project to support the design and implementation of innovative models of care that promote integration in the healthcare system (2011-present). Practicing as a comprehensive family physician since 1986, Prof. Wilson currently practices family medicine at the Women’s College Hospital Family Health Team in Toronto. Her clinical interests include palliative care, addiction medicine, obstetrics and global health.

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DR. GORDON ARBESS

Dr. Gordon Arbiss is a Staff Physician in the Department of Family & Community Medicine at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. He is on Faculty at the University of Toronto.

A native of Montreal, he is a graduate from McGill University (BSc. Honours) and did his Medical Degree at Queen's University, then completing his Residency in Family Medicine at the University of Toronto.

He is actively involved in teaching at the University of Toronto and is active in organizing an Inner City Health Elective for medical students and residents from across the world in a specialized medical area.

He is also involved in research projects in Zimbabwe looking at preventing the transmission of a specific virus from mother to child. He has lectured extensively across Canada, France, China and Zimbabwe and has appeared in the media including the CTV National News, City TV, Global, CBC, CFRB and the Toronto Star.

Dr. Arbiss is a Director on the Board of the Family Health Team at St. Michael's Hospital and is on staff at Casey House hospice.

Dr. Arbess understands many aspects of OCD and works with many patients afflicted with the disorder.

image of SANJIV PURBA

SANJIV PURBA

Sanjiv is an award winning Executive with 25+ years of progressive IT & Business Experience. He is delivery oriented, builds high-performance teams, & has successfully delivered large complex projects while achieving operational excellence. Sanjiv can communicate to all organizational levels (e.g. Board of Directors & ‘C’ Suite).

Sanjiv has sat on several volunteer boards, and is a strong supporter of OCD Canada

Sanjiv has written 18+ books and hundreds of articles for such publications as the Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star.

David White

Dr. David White, MD, CCFP, FCFP

Dr. David White is an ex-president of the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC). The CFPC is the professional organization responsible for establishing standards for the training and certification of family physicians.

Dr. White has gone from representing the 300 family physicians at North York General Hospital as the Chief of the Department of Family Medicine, to representing 1,500 University of Toronto family physicians, and representing the 4,765 family physicians in the Greater Toronto Area, 13,003 family physicians in Ontario, and 34,366 family physicians across Canada when he was in his role at CFPC.

image of EDUARDO J. GUTIERREZ

EDUARDO J. GUTIERREZ, RMT

Working on a new type of massage for those with OCD in conjunction with doctors at Sunnybrook.

After many years in the corporate world, Eduardo had the opportunity to explore a new career path. In the process, he discovered a passion for massage therapy and decided that this was the perfect vehicle by which he could promote emotional and physical health and wellness.

Eduardo is a graduate of the 2200-hour Massage Therapy program offered by the Sutherland-Chan School & Teaching Clinic. He has worked with a wide variety of clients, including patients with spinal cord injuries, patients who are pre- and post-surgery, athletes, seniors, and women who are pregnant.

Eduardo's focus is always client-first, and he tailors each treatment to a client’s specific concerns. this may involve incorporating Swedish massage techniques, deep tissue and myofascial release techniques, trigger point therapy, hydrotherapy, passive stretching, and/or joint mobilizations to achieve optimal results.

Eduardo strongly believes that whether your need is to relax, reduce muscle tension, or attain relief from chronic pain; a therapeutic massage can enhance your overall sense of emotional and physical well-being.

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TIGER

Tiger is our resident Relaxation Specialist.

He’s a Havanese male. After his initial visit to our support group, and by popular demand he attends most meetings and helps each attendee relax and become present.

His owner has OCD.