Help finding a therapist?

[Anna M]

If this has been addressed elsewhere, please point me to it, but a quick search hasn't given me an answer...

My depression has been getting pretty bad, and it's high time I found a therapist to help me deal with both that and my gender identity issues. Can anybody here recommend any good therapists in Minnesota, who have experience with trans stuff? I'd also appreciate thoughts on how to find a good therapist, as I'm having trouble picking one from the list my insurance provides.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions/thoughts you can provide!

-- Anna May

[Jorja]

I do not know how current this list is but here you go. http://www.drbecky.com/therapists.html Once you get there select page 2 and then scroll down to Minnesota.

This PDF might help you in finding a therapist http://www.findapsychologist.org/finding_a_therapist.pdf

[Hope]

Jorja's resources are good.

You may also try contacting your local LGBT community center, they will know which therapists in the area have experience with gender issues...

Finally, the BEST way to find a good therapist, short of sitting down with a bunch of them and finding the one who seems to have the best rapport with you, is to simply ask your friends or people you trust for a referral... who have they seen? Who have they heard good things about? In this case you will probably want to confine your requests for a referral to therapists themselves (they know their colleagues) and to other trans girls. The girls who have been in the community for a while know who the good therapists are, and we know who to stay away from as well. If you don't yet have a group of trans friends you can call on - go to a trans support group. And if you need help finding a trans support group - call your local LGBT community center...

[Julia_in_Pa]

Hope's suggestion is excellent along with the link that Jorja provided you.

You should have little issue finding a therapist.

Concerning finding a therapist that is in your provider network is another story.

Most Trans specific therapists work on a sliding scale fee structure so using what is most likely insurance that is discriminatory towards trans people will not be needed hopefully.


Julia

[Longing2be-Trisha]

Hi Anna!

Go to Minnesota Transgender Health Coalition www.mntranshealth.org it will help you find doctors that are Transgender friendly. Try http://www.ucomparehealthcare.com/ or google MN doctors in your area. Hope this helps, remember to get one that can address more than just your depression.

Hugs

[Stephanie-L]

I have had good luck by going to the Psychology Today website, they have a therapist finder, you can input several parameters, area, gender (theirs), insurance, areas of specialization (including TG, gay, lesbian, etc), their education, licensing (MD,PHD, LMSW, etc). The url is http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/ I have found 2 good therapists this way, and it seems like most of the therapists are listed in it. Good luck..........Stephanie