Therapist in toronto?

[KateC]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a gender therapist in Toronto/GTA area? Otherwise I'm going to just find one on those listings.

I'm hoping to find one at around $100 per session so i can go to about 5 of them with my benefits plan.

[whowhatwhen]

Take a lookie here (http://therapytoronto.ca/index.phtml) that's where I found mine.
:)

Good luck!

[JenniferR771]

Shop around carefully. I found lots of therapists are willing to see you about sexual problems, but few actually have any training in gender issues. Go to their websites and read carefully. Look for maximum experience, credentials and professional interests in gender.
You don't want to be cured--you want a favorable adjustment.

[KateC]

Thanks.. yes well,... I sort of want to be cured because life would be so much easier without this split in gender thing... But I doubt any therapist can cure any of this/us. I just want a new pair of eyes on my situation..

[jillleanne]

Thanks.. yes well,... I sort of want to be cured because life would be so much easier without this split in gender thing... But I doubt any therapist can cure any of this/us. I just want a new pair of eyes on my situation..


Cured? Oh well, you should have said something sooner. I can do that for oh, say, about $ 100.00 an hour. You'll probably need about of, say, five sessions. Bring cash, ok? Oh, and yes, bring all your clothes, makeup, jewellry, and footwear, fine hosery, and anything else you may have laying around or hidden like purses, wigs, nail polishes, etc. and I'll be sure to rid you of them forever. I'm sure I can have you back to spitting, cussing, and crotch picking; lying, cheating, and bull sheeting, in no time flat. Call me at "1-999-I AM BACK", that's " 1-999-I AM BACK". Don't delay, call NOW!!!!!! And as a special bonus, if you call within the next 4 hours( you know we can't do this all day!), we'll also take away from you your No-No, your epilator, and all your safety razors so you can grow that manly beard and those hairy armpits and chest you have always wanted to wear to work in that muscle shirt. Just pay separate shipping and handling for each product disposed of to us. We GUARANTEE we will never return anything shipped to us EVER!!! Call NOW!!!!!!

[kellyanne]

I would see a practicing MD who is so recognized by the Ontario College of Physicians & Surgeons as such and ask for a reference to gender counseling.

I would expect the counselor to have an advanced Graduate degree from a gender specific program [ i.e. McGill's gender program] and he or she is so recognized by the Ontario College / Heath Care system as a specialist in gender dysphoria or the specific reason you seek advice.

As other girls note - "a counselor does not an educated professional make"

A cautionary note:
Many people are shocked when a counselor disagrees with them and will terminate the sessions deeming the therapist to be unqualified.

They don't want to learn ; they want to be told they are right.

[sandra-leigh]

For Ontario, you can see http://www.psychotherapyontario.org/ which allows you to narrow by location and by specialty (including gender work)

With regards to expecting the counselor to have an advanced graduate degree in a gender specific program: sometimes you take what you get. Here in Manitoba, if you want choice and want to be covered under the health system, your only alternative is to go to the Clarke Gynecophilia Clinic in Toronto for all of your therapy and medical appointments and formal assessment. (Clarification: the lack of choice in Manitoba is not a policy decision, it is a shortage of people willing to work in this field.)

[whowhatwhen]

Thanks.. yes well,... I sort of want to be cured because life would be so much easier without this split in gender thing... But I doubt any therapist can cure any of this/us. I just want a new pair of eyes on my situation..

Cure? Probably not.
You'll talk a lot that's for sure, but it feels good to tell someone how you feel.

I assume this goes for non-gender issues as well, but that's not why I'm going.
:)

[KateC]

I'm looking at those sites, especially the Ontario one... I'm not sure which to pick? They all seem similar... can you suggest one if you were looking for it and tell me the reason why?

[sandra-leigh]

I'm looking at those sites, especially the Ontario one... I'm not sure which to pick?

I was just looking through the list for one section of Toronto and found a therapist with the same name as a famous musician -- and there is evidence that it might be the same person! I'd probably be too much in awe to get much therapy done, but it might be great for people who experience the world through music.

But anyhow, the Ontario site allows you to click through each name to get a blurb from each person. You can google the person and see if you can find reviews or further information. For example when I was looking around the Toronto info for "whowhatwhen", I found a therapist who in an article for a periodical emphasized gender work, more so than on their own web site.

[whowhatwhen]

I'm looking at those sites, especially the Ontario one... I'm not sure which to pick? They all seem similar... can you suggest one if you were looking for it and tell me the reason why?

Some tips:
Do you think you'd be more comfortable talking to a woman?
Email him or her and ask a few questions, ask if they have experience with gender issues.

You would probably end up going for a consultation first, you'll probably know right off the bat if you feel you can trust him or her.

[Leslie Langford]

Whatever you do, don't - I repeat - DON'T - seek out the help of Dr. Kenneth Zucker, who is affiliated with CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) in Toronto and still believes in reparative treatment for gender identity disorders. That theory has been discredited by most modern-day counsellors and therapists, but he still clings stubbornly to his reactionary views despite all evidence to the contrary.

http://ai.eecs.umich.edu/people/conway/TS/News/Drop%20the%20Barbie.htm

Kind of like the good ol' days, when people still thought it was possible (and justifiable) to try to "beat the gay" out of individuals who showed even the slightest inclination in that direction...

[whowhatwhen]

Am I wrong or did I read something somewhere that you HAVE to go through him if you want to have SRS covered by OHIP?

[Leslie Langford]

I sure hope not - you'd probably get a more sympathetic ear from Toronto Mayor (and LGBT-event avoiding, closet homophobe) Rob Ford than Zucker on that score...:thumbsdn: :eek: :doh: :sad:

[giuseppina]

Whatever you do, don't - I repeat - DON'T - seek out the help of Dr. Kenneth Zucker, who is affiliated with CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) in Toronto and still believes in reparative treatment for gender identity disorders...

Or anyone else claiming that [-]reparative[/-] repressive therapy is safe and effective. There is at least one psychiatrist (can't remember his name ATM) at the same institution who subscribes to this dangerous treatment as well. It's dangerous because it may drive the recipient to suicide.

[KateC]

What is repressive therapy, like to just suppress all the CD tendencies?

If this is bad, then what would be a solution for CD then? Like how would be the end goal result to deal with what we have?

[whowhatwhen]

If this is bad, then what would be a solution for CD then? Like how would be the end goal result to deal with what we have?

Pretty much, no one is going to "cure" your need to dress but they can help you accept it and deal with issues related to it.
It all depends on why you feel you need to go.

[KateC]

I need to deal with it mainly for my wife. I'm okay with it actually, it's harmless to me, but my wife doesn't accept it, so I'm not sure what to do really. Also I don't think entirely 100% it is from myself the need to dress, there maybe some part that originated like this but a lot of it is the media as well. If our society didn't have such drastic differences between how men and women are in terms of appearances/clothes or just how "you're suppose to be", I don't think there would be much of an issue really.

From my case, in my opinion (that's why i want to see a therapist) I'm just wanting something that's not equally "allowed" among males in society. Just think how you feel if a certain culture cannot do certain things or something similar.

[sandra-leigh]

Am I wrong or did I read something somewhere that you HAVE to go through him if you want to have SRS covered by OHIP?

I do not have information about that.

In Manitoba, effectively you have to go through one particular therapist to get the official referral -- not as a policy but just because there isn't anyone else around. Manitoba Health will, though, also accept a referral from CAMH (Zucker's institute in Toronto.)

[jillleanne]

I need to deal with it mainly for my wife. I'm okay with it actually, it's harmless to me, but my wife doesn't accept it, so I'm not sure what to do really. Also I don't think entirely 100% it is from myself the need to dress, there maybe some part that originated like this but a lot of it is the media as well. If our society didn't have such drastic differences between how men and women are in terms of appearances/clothes or just how "you're suppose to be", I don't think there would be much of an issue really.

From my case, in my opinion (that's why i want to see a therapist) I'm just wanting something that's not equally "allowed" among males in society. Just think how you feel if a certain culture cannot do certain things or something similar.

Kate, if I understand you correctly, you are doing this for your wife and not you? If so, it's your wife that seriously needs to attend therapy with you as a couple so she can learn to understand and accept. I was under the impresssion you wanted the help. You can travel the world seeking help but if you do not feel you need the help, why would you bother? Your wife must be willing to attend therapy sessions or it will all be a waste of your time and effort.

[JenniferR771]

I am in your position--non-accepting wife. We had separate counselors for a time and then couples counseling. But...we had trouble agreeing on a counselor--too liberal--or too conservative.
Quit when we realized that most of the time were were not speaking when we left his office. You don't want anyone that thinks cd is a sin. Or anyone that thinks gay is a choice. We are born--we didn't choose.
Read a few paragraphs on Dr Ray Blanchard of Toranto's Camh.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Blanchard