Gender therapy

[VioletJourney]

Does anyone know how qualified gender therapists are? I mean, not how much formal training they have but how much is actually known about gender psychology? Every time I read something about seeing a gender therapist I'm worried that those people are just making stuff up because I personally haven't seen much actual psychological research done regarding gender. Does anyone know if gender therapy is a science or if it's made-up Freudian-style hooey? And where could I go to research the science of gender psychology? I'm interested in learning more.

[Sara82]

hey Violet, my guess is that maybe they just have experience through treating x number of clients, and begin to understand the issues better?

i'm wondering the same thing as I'm currently researching a therapist to start seeing.

good luck to you though!

[Barbra P]

Hi Violet

Probably the best you can hope for is finding a Therapist that specializes in treating patients with gender issues. There just isn’t a whole lot known about the whys as far as gender issues are concerned. I tend to agree with Sara in that Therapist that treat gender issues tend to learn over a period of time what works and what doesn’t.

Both the Counselor I first saw and the Therapist I’m now seeing told me up front that they can’t treat my desire to cross dress – there is no known cure for cross dressing. But what they can treat is issues that you may be having with feelings about cross dressing, such as acceptance, depression and guilt. My own Therapist’s goal is to get me to understand that I shouldn’t be depressed because I cross dress, that I need to accept it as something that is a part of me, part of my overall personality and while I may not want the worl to know that I cross dress I shouldn’t feel guilty when I do.

Very little about psychology is based on pure science because psychologists and scientists don’t fully understand why we do the things we do or think the way we think.

Find a Therapist that specializes in gender issues, that has a history of working with the transgendered and I think you’ll enjoy the experience.

[eluuzion]

Colleges and Universities with gender related Undergraduate Programs
http://www.trans-academics.org/trans_studies_-_undergrad

Colleges and Universities with trans-related Graduate Programs
http://www.trans-academics.org/trans_studies_graduate

Trans Studies Syllabi (list of trans-related academic courses)
http://www.trans-academics.org/trans_studies_syllabi

:love:

[VioletJourney]

Very little about psychology is based on pure science because psychologists and scientists don’t fully understand why we do the things we do or think the way we think.

That's the thing though, there's plenty of pure science in the field of psychology, but lots of therapists disregard that for pseudosciences like psychodynamics or humanistic psychology.

[sterling12]

A HISTORY of working with T-Folk. Positive Referrals from those Clients. RESULTS....did The Outcomes help, or hinder The Patients. Seems like a good "starting point," to actually narrow down your choices, then you can waste a few bucks with an actual appointment to find out whom might be a "good fit" for Y.O.U..

All of this stuff is Findable on The Internet, and I am pretty sure you can talk to Folk in Your Local Community for verification.

Peace and Love, Joanie

[tommi]

My therapist was much the same as Barbara's
Teaching me to accept myself for who I am and not
Being ashamed .
Other issues come later how do you deal with it and where
are you going.
Find one that works with gender issues and be open when
You go it's a safe place be open
My therapist is wonderful and she has really helped me .

[VioletJourney]

Just to clarify, I'm not looking to see a therapist personally. I'm just wondering if these people are respectable professionals or if they're snake oil salesmen.

[Kaz]

I used to be a management consultant for some years.. the basic heuristic was to be one book ahead of the client...?

[Vickie_CDTV]

Just to clarify, I'm not looking to see a therapist personally. I'm just wondering if these people are respectable professionals or if they're snake oil salesmen.

It depends on the therapist. Some are knowledgeable sincere and professional, some are not, sadly some may be glorified gatekeepers who will string a TS along for every buck possible.

A gender therapist cost can vary but in the region I live can go anywhere from $100-150 an hour (and they don't even have to wash their hands first!)

[Sally24]

From my experience they are there to help YOU find out about yourself. All the information is going to come from inside you. Their experience gives them insight into the various types of gender issues people have and at what stage you are. They are not there like a researcher, trying to figure out where your gender disphoria came from, etc... Their job is to help you find the best ways to deal with this.

Mine concluded that I was comfortable in both genders and would miss my male life if I went full time. She.suggested that minimum body modification like electrolysis would be appropriate. If I had needed to continue further she would have guided me and help me deal with issues as they came up. Several of my tg friends have.gone to her and have transitioned as their needs were different than mine.

Counseling is more about helping a person find ways to feel comfortable with their selves than it is about knowledge about the causes of gender disphoria.

[TorieGG]

I work in the medical profession and I'm sorry to say there are likely "snake oil salesmen" out there just as there are wonderful therapists. I don't know that calling yourself a "gender therapy specialist" actually requires specific training/testing like it does to say you are board certified. I would agree that if they studied at one of the programs that is specialized that would be an advantage.

That said I agree with Sally when she says "Counseling is more about helping a person find ways to feel comfortable with their selves than it is about knowledge about the causes of gender disphoria" This can be accomplished by any "good" therapist whether they have specialized training in gender identity disorders or not.

[tommi]

I have seen two different therapist the first one I wouldn't
Recommend to a stump treated me like I had an addiction
Researched for the second one this time I went with a GG
told her what I was before our first meeting. That said she has
been wonderful but being open and honest is the most
important thing.

[drag n fly]

From my experience they are there to help YOU find out about yourself. All the information is going to come from inside you. Their experience gives them insight into the various types of gender issues people have and at what stage you are. They are not there like a researcher, trying to figure out where your gender disphoria came from, etc... Their job is to help you find the best ways to deal with this.

Mine concluded that I was comfortable in both genders and would miss my male life if I went full time. She.suggested that minimum body modification like electrolysis would be appropriate. If I had needed to continue further she would have guided me and help me deal with issues as they came up. Several of my tg friends have.gone to her and have transitioned as their needs were different than mine.

Counseling is more about helping a person find ways to feel comfortable with their selves than it is about knowledge about the causes of gender disphoria.
I quite agree with you Sally...I've contemplated therapy...I find this forum to have some assuaging affect toward this.
By the way..I think you are stunning..gorgeous....and insightful.....smooches Jackie

[eluuzion]

The great thing about the Internet is that you can find somebody or a group to support just about anything you want to believe is true.:heehee:



Sites like this one are always useful, lol

http://www.quackwatch.org/index.html

:love: