Just wondering about him?

[Billijo49504]

I'm just starting counciling and I'm wondering if this guy is allowed to write the letter for hormones, if he decides I should have them. He works for a Christian Mental Health Services. And behind his name, there is L.M.S.W. Clinical Social Worker. You ladies were the ones that talked me out of self medicating, so this is where my insurance sent me. So does his Qualifacations allow him to write that important letter, and is it official. Thanks in advance...Billijo

[Stephanie-L]

Well, the two questions you have to ask are:
1. Will he ever write the letter? I automatically get suspicious of faith based counselling places when it comes to TG issues. They are more often going to try to "cure" you than assist in your transition.
2. Will the endocrinologist accept his letter? I do not know what state you live in, but in most states a LMSW can write a letter recomending whatever pharmacological treatment, but a physician (MD or DO) must write the actual prescription. The physician may be an endocrinologist, your primary care doc, an OB, or even a psychiatrist.
So, it seems that you need to make sure that these two people are on board with what you want to do. Ask questions, if you don't like the answers, change things, go to a different therapist, get a different doc, etc.
Good luck and let us know how things work out.....Stephanie

[Billijo49504]

He was recomended because he list his specialties as gender identity, and several other things...BJ

[Faith_G]

Yep, my therapist is also a Licensed Social Worker with a Master's degree. My endo accepted her letter without question. :happy:

[Karen564]

Yes,
As stated by the other girls, a LMSW can write the letter.....
Then you will present that letter to an Endocrinologist..and he/she will be the one that writes the prescription as needed after their assessment of your health & blood work..

[Hope]

You should have no problems with a letter written by an MSW... but you may have other problems with an MSW, and a "Christian" one at that. Like Stephanie, I would be worried about his preconceived notions about gender issues - he may be just fine, he may be a royal dick. The fact that he has experience with gender issues may mean nothing more than he has abused 25 other TS girls before you, or perhaps took a class from a Nazarene university about how being trans is against the scripture.

The fact that he is a Christian does not mean that he is immediately a bad guy, but the fact that he practices under the banner of "christian counseling" DOES cast him in a bad light in my opinion - and remember, I am a member of the clergy. There are competent Christian councilors - LSS for the most part is ... competent. But this should be a red flag.

You might ask him what his background in gender issues is. Ask him if he has ever written a hormone letter for some one in the past (if he hasn't - he is not about to start now - run to another therapist). Ask him about his treatment of transsexuality. Ask him about his understanding of the appropriate treatment options for transexuals. You have a right to that sort of information, and if he starts to sound skeevy RUN.

[Billijo49504]

Thanks to all of you for the information. I didn't think of asking him if he ever wrote any letters for hormones. And if so how many and what is the criteria. I go and see him again Thursday. I told him I hate being a guy with breasts and the boys. If I had to get rid of one, the boys would go, they don't do anything for me. Due to the financial reasons, I don't know if I could find the money for SRS. I've heard that if you start the job, the local hospital will finish it. Thanks again...BJ:hugs:

[Stephanie-L]

If you mean by "start the job" trying a bit of do it yourself surgery, STOP. If you mean that you get one procedure and then they continue with the rest, thats probably not going to happen. Going the do it yourself route will at best get you locked up in the nut house, and will probably hurt your eventual chances for SRS. At worst you could easily wind up dead. Keep investigating your options. Save your money, there are places that make loans for "cosmetic" procedures. SRS is usually a cash up front deal, and of course is not something to be rushed into, so take your time, save the money, you have to start with things like hair removal first anyway. Keep checking things out, and if this guy tells you he can fix or cure you of your trans issues, get up, walk out, and find another therapist. Good luck....Stephanie

[Billijo49504]

No, I don't think I could self mutilate myself. But wondering about this guy, if I'm wasting my time with him. If it hadn't been for you girls, I probably wouldn't have known what to ask. And also I have another problem. They say I have the arteries in my neck are clogged, more than 70 %. So I have a lot on my plate. :hugs:..BJ

[Hope]

Um. No.

If you "start the job" the untrained in SRS ER doctor will not finish the job, not in any satisfactory way. What he will do is try to repair whatever damage you have done. This is a catastrophically bad idea that has serious consequences, like death, or institutionalization, or living life with non-functional junk of any form.

Seriously, when you are ready, an orchy is cheap - and there are lots of girls who never go beyond that.

[Billijo49504]

I just remembered, 2 yrs ago I helped my father in law casterate pigs. With the rubber band method. Noooo, they squealed too much afterwards. Just a little humor....BJ

[giuseppina]

Hello Billijo

I think the real question is can he keep his own personal biases and judgements out of his social work practice. One of my cousins said that once a health professional judges someone, they are unable to help.

If you sense he's judging you, perhaps there is someone else who won't.

There are too many people around that subscribe to reparative aka repressive therapy.

Good luck. :hugs:

[Billijo49504]

Thank you ladies, because of you, I knew what questions to ask. He said he had never written one of those letters. He didn't think he could legally. I told him that you ladies told me he could write it. He asked if I went to the Pride celabration? I told him I had a real good time there. He asked if I would be willing to come next time dressed as BilliJo. The only thing I didn't have was my wig and makeup, otherwise everything was fem wear. So yes, that's not a problem. He said that if I convinced him that the hormones were what I wanted, HE WOULD WRITE THE LETTER.
What I'm wondering, if this guy is on the straight and level, or is he stringing me along, to keep the business. The good part is it isn't costing me anything. No copay. But we did agree to stop the counciling for now. As I have another problem, that needs taking care of now. My caratid artery on the left side is 90+% blocked. And that has me worried. So we take care of that first. Then start up the counciling again. Maybe with him or someone else. Your thoughts please.:hugs:..BJ

[Faith_G]

I'd go somewhere else.

[giuseppina]

With the greatest respect to your therapist: If he's never written a letter starting the process for gender transition, he may well not have the expertise to determine if this is the right answer for you. I'm inclined to think he isn't the right person to make this decision.

It's not always about what the patient wants. The therapist has an obligation to do the right thing for the patient, even if the patient disagrees.

Good luck. :hugs: