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WesternCanada1
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Number of ratings92 Number of reviews24 Listens toOver 18 LanguagesEnglish, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish Listener sinceMar 9, 2015 Last activeover 6 months ago GenderMale PathStep 698 People helped176 Chats739 Group support chats18 Listener group chats7 Forum posts62 Forum upvotes54
Bio
Hello ! My name is Albert and I am a Health Psychology researcher . A little bit about my background: I worked with HIV/AIDS MSM primary prevention for many years in Ontario and I have also been an LGBT activist for more than 15 years. To date, I am a Health Psychology Professor as well as a researcher on social determinants of health and the MSM immigration impact in Ontarian (Canada) LGBTQ communities . Feel free to chat ! Just keep in mind that I will not psychoanalyze you or give any diagnosis. Instead, I will indeed listen to you .


DISCLAIMER: Since depression and anxiety disorders may sometimes be serious conditions I prefer not to address these themes specifically and per se here , even though we can talk about them. However, they are NOT my area of expertise.


Thank you ! Have a nice day !


********************


Je suis un rechercheur de la santé publique et psychologie . Un peu sur ma expérience : je travaille avec le VIH / SIDA ( ma thèse était sur ​​les immigrants HSH et leur vulnérabilité au VIH dans une culture différente ) . J'ai aussi été un activiste LGBTQ depuis plus de 15 ans. À ce jour , je suis professeur de psychologie et chercheur sur l'impact de l'immigration dans la société canadienne et américaine. N'hésitez pas à parler avec moi ! Encore une fois , je ne vais pas vous psychanalyser et je ne vais pas Vous donner diagnostic ici . Mais je vais en effet vous écouter .


ATTENTION : Parce que dépression et les troubles anxieux peuvent être parfois se présenter comme conditions graves je préfère ne pas aborder ces thèmes spécifiquement ici. Nous pouvons parler d'eux , mais ils ne sont pas de mon domaine d' expertise .


Merci et bonne journée!
Recent forum posts
HIV Vulnerability amongst MSM newcomers from a visible minorities in USA and Canada
Relationship Stress / by WesternCanada1
Last post
 April 12th, 2016
...See more Much have been written and said about HIV/AIDS  and vulnerability. Much have been also written about risk groups and how harmful this idea has been to stop the AIDS  pandemia. Little has been said and written, however, about the HIV vulnerability amongst MSM ( men who have sex with men) who are part of a so-called visible minority in Canada and in the USA and arrived in these countries less than 5 years ago. This population is particularly vulnerable because they face the stigma of being a foreigner and have the feeling of " not belonging" , mainly when they do not master English or French ( in Québec ). Also, they more often than not suffer from being lonely, having left their families and/or partners behind, not to mention immigration issues that many have also to face. Most of them come from Latin America ( USA) and from Southern Asia and French speaking countries from Africa and Magreb ( Canada ). In Canada , Latin American newcomers are also a reality. One of the tool a lot of them use to cope with these problems is to abuse of alcohol and/or other drugs. Of course that this does not mean that all of them do it ( that would be a terrible generalization and prejudice) but this is not uncommon.Also, culture shock makes their rut even harder and unprotected sex is more often than we think. As some of them are undocumented they end up not taking care of their health in a preventive way, making them more vulnerable. Therefore, it could be a good idea if we talk about this population and give them voice. 
BRASIL
Around the World / by WesternCanada1
Last post
 March 17th
...See more Hi ! This thread is for those who have any coonections with Brazil or like Brazil.. and for anybody else ! Sinta-se a vontade de escrever em portugues !
ALBERTA
Around the World / by WesternCanada1
Last post
 February 14th, 2017
...See more I live in Calgary, Alberta. This beautiful and peaceful province is so good because, among other things, you have a close contact with nature.. It is so unique to observe spring setting in, with Canadian gesse arriving and strolling in pairs at your doorstep. 
Search more from @WesternCanada1
Feedback & Reviews
Thanks for the nice chat, helped calm my anxiety.
Thank you so much, You've made me feel better about myself already. I've a positive outlook about how to go about dealing with my fears. Thanks a million.
WesternCanada1 is a very kind and understanding listener. I was struggling; I didn't even know what to say or how I was feeling, but I knew I needed to talk to someone. After about half an hour of talking (pretty much just rambling on and on) to him I finally understood what was bothering me and why. At the end he gave me a very simple piece of advice that has stuck with me since. I will definitely seek him out again when I need to talk.
Great as usual
Great doctor..great human..
As a listener very professional, as person very kind and gentil. thanks a lot.
WesternCanada1 is an incredibly amazing gentleman to speak to. I really went on and on with him, and he remained patient and attentive, offering very meaningful insights and asking relevant questions to make me think about my situation. I am truly grateful that he choose to share his valuable time speaking with me, and look forward to speaking with him again.
Really helpful! He was really thorough about everything and really helped me out with the situation I was going through. I definitely recommend talking to him, for sure!
This dr. Is a miracle !
He is the best listener I've had like in my life. He pinpointed my issues without having to tell him much. Very concise and to the point. With just a few sentences he assured me that I was making healthy decisions by breaking off my long term abusive relationship and if I have doubts I can talk to him. I stopped my crying fit washed my face and felt so much better. Such a Pro!
Very good listener
awesome! very helpful and nice.
He help me realize that it isn't my fault and I am not going crazy over my situation!
Totally committed to my well being!
WesternCanada1 is a terrific listener.
He is a really open listener. He does not impose his views or opinions upon you, and is great for holding a conversation with. I highly recommend reaching out to him! :)
a great listener :)
I came feeling hopeless and after talking with you (WesternCanada1) I feel like things will be ok.
Terrific!
very insightful
Helped me a lot while i was in a really bad situation...if you fell like talking to someone, this is the guy!
Just had a really nice talk, eased my mind . Thanks
nice advices thanks
You're a Real sweetheart, and very easy to speak too. :)
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Managing Emotions
Bullying
LGBTQ+ Issues
Sleeping Well
Family Stress
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