Therapy for a youngin?

[Brooke Ashley]

Ok, well im not entirely young, but only 18 years of age. My question is, I think I need to see a therapist. I am having a "gender crisis" so to speak and not sure about myself and what I should be. I really think a therapist can help me with this. Ok so sorry long winded here, my question is how can I get around telling my parents to go to a therapist? I don't think I can pay for it myself as I am in college and don't have a part time job. Since I live with them, I still use their insurance. Does anybody have any suggestions besides seeing the therapist on campus?

[Kerigirl2009]

I would try being honest with your parents. Tell them that you feel the need to speak with a professional about your feelings. I know with my children that would be enough. They do not need to know the reason that you want to go just that you need help. After that it is up to you. Good luck.:)

[Sally24]

You are an adult so your medical records are priviledged, even from your parents. You do have your own insurance card right? Just set up appointments and pay the co-pay. If you think you need a therapist, you probably do.

[Brooke Ashley]

You do have your own insurance card right?

I do not actually have my own. So im not sure about how I could go about doing that.

[Sharon]

You don't say what college you attend, but many of them have support groups which would be extremely worthwhile in checking out. If so, you can then learn about resources available for you. If there are no trans- or alternative-gender support groups, check into what the college itself may provide as far as therapy is concerned. If this comes to no fruition, I would then ask a parent about your insurance information. Being open with your parents would be the best option if feasible for you, but at least get your provider's name and your policy number.

[morgan pure]

Angel,
Go to the therapist on campus. It's a free place to start. He or she will find out how to help you.
Morgan

[Stephenie S]

Goodness dear, just tell your parents you are feeling depressed. That's all. Tell the therapist the truth, of course. Don't hold ANYTHING back from your therapist, but you don't have to tell your parents right now. As a matter of fact, it would be premature to tell them. You may discover that you are NOT gender confused after all.

I always recommend a GENDER therapist, but in your case, see any therapist you can, and then insist that the therapist refer you to a good gender therapist. INSIST.

Stephie

[Jenny Chen]

Ok, well im not entirely young, but only 18 years of age. My question is, I think I need to see a therapist. I am having a "gender crisis" so to speak and not sure about myself and what I should be. I really think a therapist can help me with this. Ok so sorry long winded here, my question is how can I get around telling my parents to go to a therapist? I don't think I can pay for it myself as I am in college and don't have a part time job. Since I live with them, I still use their insurance. Does anybody have any suggestions besides seeing the therapist on campus?

Your collage should have guidance counselor you can start there, i know a few friends that pretty much started their therapy with the Guidance counselors. So try there maybe you will be able to find some recourse your collage can provide you. :2c:

[luvSophia]

I am not sure if this is universal or not, but many (some/most/all?) insurance companies send out what is called an "Explanation of Benefits" (EOB) after paying on a claim. I know mine does. They send it to the insurance policy holder to show how much the provider charged, how much the insurance company allows for the procedure and what the patient responsibility is.

Many larger colleges have counseling centers these days and some of those include gender counseling.

[WalT]

Angel,
Go to the therapist on campus. It's a free place to start. He or she will find out how to help you.
MorganThis. Many major universities even have people who have tremendous experience working with TG/TS clients and can work as a gender therapist. I'm currently going to a therapist for the reasons of transitioning and hope to be transferred to the one experienced with TG/TS clients here.

Or maybe I've been really lucky and see how privileged some universities are, what, with having their own TG/TS clinic some can go to to get their hormones.

*is jealous*

[flowers]

This is a bit late addition to the thread [sorry, I recently joined and haven't yet decided to what degree i want to participate in this online forum].. but, DEFINITELY look into what options are available to you at your university. You quote Borges, so I imagine you're doing fine for yourself academically.
At one point in college, I found myself in a pretty bad situation and was fortunate enough to find the strength to get an "emergency counseling" session. I ended up developing a pretty good relationship with the counselor. He happened to be gay [which is pretty remarkable that the ONE gay counselor happened to be on duty that night].. and over the next year or so, he helped me come out to my parents, negotiate my own personal problems, and connect me to both the school's and my college town's LGBT communities. Through him, I was referred to a community clinic that would see me for medical concerns at 20 dollars per visit.
I absolutely can not emphasize how great it can be to advantage of the services offered to you during school.
I tried to work a Borges/Aleph pun into this, but it didn't work out :strugglin