Almost time

[Sarah Ellis]

Hiya, it's me again. Remember me anyone?

Those of you who do know me will have probably followed me elsewhere. But those who may not know me so well will maybe only have seen a few posts deep in the archives here.

But just to say to those who dwell in these parts that after years of denial and months of waiting I finally have my appointment to see the therapist (pysch if you like) at the gender clinic in Sunderland (NE England) on Feb 8th.

This is my first appointment and I'm absolutely 'chuffed to bits' yet still very nervous about it.

[Melody Moore]

Well done Sarah, I bet you are looking forward to it.

Are you already living as a female or going out regularly as a female?

If you are it will be better for you if you do go to your appointment as your true self because this can speed up the process
with being prescribe hormones if your pyschologist sees that you are comfortable in the female gender role. I know of an 18
year old MtF who was prescribed hormones on her first visit to see her doctor (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUwjuZalYkc). Anyway I am mentioning this to you because
I understand the process for getting assistance under the public health system in the UK can be very difficult & slow, but from
what I have been learning lately is those living as their true selves already get through onto the public health system quicker.

So well done for taking this next step.

Hugs :hugs: Melody Xx

[morgan51]

Congratulations Sarah I'm sure you will be happier talking with a therapist it has helped me enjoy my life and accept where I am today happily. Just go as you are comfortable.

[StaceyJane]

that's great news!

[Sarah Ellis]

Well, the day is upon me now. I see my therapist in just a few hours now, so have a pretty busy morning ahead. The nerves have settled but will no doubt be jumping again in a couple of hours.

Can't stop, I'm in a hurry....

[carolinoakland]

Well done you! No one can give you permission to be happy but you. Carol

[Sarah Ellis]

Ok. Here it goes. I must have been in there 90 minutes or so. These sessions are usually a lot shorter. I didn't present myself in an overly feminine mode, just as I am most days.

After discussing quite a lot of my past with my therapist, from how I felt since a child and all the way through my teen and adult life, she has seen a pattern of pain and confusion within me, right from my early life and fascination with girly things through my battles at school and relationships with others.

I told her about my home life, private life and just about everything, more or less the sort of things I been putting here. Of course, this place got a mention and the fact that it is here I can be free to be Sarah and express my feelings more. The outcome of this lengthy session has left my therapist in no doubt that I am TS, by the way I've described everything in my life. So, she is gonna write a letter of conformation to that degree.

Secondly, to help with the development of Sarah, I am to be referred for other therapies to make it easier for me to finally step out into the world and begin my transition.

I haven't really got any more to say on that yet.


Oh yea, as a rule, they won't start any program of HRT until I can actually begin living out in the world a Sarah.

[Rianna Humble]

It's great news that the therapist recognised who you are and has started to put in place the support you need. did the clinic give you any idea of timescales for seeing the other therapists?

This gives me hope for my first appointment if June ever comes around.

[Sarah Ellis]

Well knowing the NHS here, it could take a long time to see someone. But I guess the timescale may be in my hands too as to how long it takes to start living and enjoying life. I can't see it being ages and ages though.