Had my first therapy session yesterday

[Brittany North]

It was very good. I was super tense beforehand, but managed to calm down during the session. Afterwards though, my hands were shaking so badly I could barely fill out the cheque :o

A question for anyone, how frequently did you do therapy in the beginning? My Dr. is leaving it up to me to determine how often I come in which is nice (no pressure), but I'm just curious as to how things worked for you.

I see light at the end of the tunnel for once, and I don't think it's a train :)

[Kaitlyn Michele]

Your therapist gave you good advice..

this is about you! go when you feel you need to go subject to your expenses

one trap I found myself in for awhile was that I lived for the meeting with my therapist which i did every couple of weeks.

it feels great to finally get things off your chest :hugs:

[Sharon]

I had weekly therapy sessions for a few months and then reduced the visits to bi-weekly for about a year.

And then I was cured! :p

All the best to you, Brittany, and I hope the sessions fulfill your every need. :hugs:

[Katesback]

I never did go to a therapist. I will say the people I work with tend to go at least once a month.

[Teri Jean]

I go to therapy (one on one) once a month and goup once a month but in the beginning it was once every two weeks for a couple months. The other side is I travel 170 miles round trip for each session. it is really up to you as to how often you go and what is your need. Don't worry about the therapist as if you are not there they will fill in with someone else.

[thechic]

Hi there

I did have weekly therapy sessions for a few months, then started going to a gender therapist,this i do once a month.
this has improved things, i no longer consider myself a freak, and she advised me of a group that is local,and some contacts.

[StaceyJane]

I see my therapist weekly.
I really enjoy my sessions and I find plenty to ramble on about.

[Bree-asaurus]

I went weekly for a couple months and now I've gone to once a month.

Go however often you feel you need to.

[Midnight Skye]

I'm wondering what the bare minimum is to convince a doc to put you on hormones lol. I'm not anticipating needing to go in till I go on hormones... and after that... only enough times to convince my insurance company I'm actually transgender... though I'm tempted to walk into their office and just do a show and tell ;)

[Virgin_CD]

Hey, I only charge $50/ hr for "How does that make you feel?" I've used therapists for bad marriages, child rearing (the teenage years are the pits) and persoal growth and in hindsight, I'd say 80% of them are incompetant drawing a check. The good ones try and "get it done" and make significant progress at EVERY session... limiting total sessions to like 3-12 total before you are happy and DONE. Be picky and demanding with your therapist. ou know... this forum will help you better than any therapist. Heck I wouldn't be surprised if we have some therapists in attendance (and they are allot cheaper/ free!). Just hang around and many who have already been thru the therapist cycle and/or have lots of life and experience behind them, will shed light on your questons. This is not an "I'm OK you're OK" ... but this (CD) is really an inncent passion, and further, you may never understand it...it could cost you allot trying though. Assume or have "Faith" that it is a multitude of things, hormone mix, up bringing, circumstances... etc... and don't let a therapist bleed you unnecessarily. Or at least wait till you gleen all the wisdom you can from this forum before you start seeing "Non-beleivers" for money. Seriously, send me a private note and I'll share my phone ando a data dump on you... or jus talk and share experience. I bet half the sisters on this board will offer the same thing. Just start thinking "WE". You are not alone (anymore)...

[My Lady Marsea]

I've gone like a couple of times once a month to a gender specialist therapist but have to pay for it, sorta more than I can budget each month lol. Just yesterday I started with one who the VA supplies for free. She is not "gender" savoy as my other therapist, but she was willing to work with me and I will like do the same or wutever with her. She was really nice & I think we are both going to benefit here. I explained to her my ultimate goal is to like get all the documentation needed to fully transition in the future. She is going to find out & work on that for me so we will both be learning here lol. My next appointment is like next month. I might pop back to my first therapist or wutever when I have a few bucks extra. It is interesting to say the least. I was fortunate in that since I have like been living as a girl full time for almost 3 years, I got my hormones before the therapy part. That was 5 months ago.

[Brittany North]

I want to thank everyone for the insight, I am going to do every 2 weeks for a bit and see how that goes for a while.


... The good ones try and "get it done" and make significant progress at EVERY session... limiting total sessions to like 3-12 total before you are happy and DONE. Be picky and demanding with your therapist....

Virgin_CD - Thanks, I think that's good advice. My Dr is a clinical psychologist, gender specialist. I need the professional help :bonk: at least to start with, just to set the frame of reference of how to start coming up with my own answers.

In BC the SOC means you need assessment in various ways for any medical coverage, although you still have to pay for hormone treament out of pocket from what I understand.

[StaceyJane]

My insurance covers me so I only pay 20 dollars per session.

[docrobbysherry]

Of course, that was LONG ago and BS! ( Before Sherry!):heehee:

I actually went to see her for nearly a year. But, NOT for gender issues! My CDing was dismissed in ONE VISIT! :)
Mostly, it was crap that developed from the breakup of my marriage!:doh: