websites about therapists/ psychiatrists

[tanyalynn51]

Ive seen a few websites about therapists and psychiatrists that are positive to the lgbt community, but none so far that warn about ones who are definitely negative. Do any exist? I would think they would, although I could see how they could be used by people with an axe to grind. If they are out there, I guess I havent entered the right search.

[melissaK]

Sweetie, aside from the stray comment on a TG site or blog warning of one person or another, I've never seen a dedicated list let alone dedicated site.

If you get into the sites and blogs dealing with lobbying for changes in the DSM and its committee politics, you will find anti TG advocates. Our sworn enemies to be sure. And some of them claim to be therapists and counselors, or knowledgeable MDs. I don't have a stomach for those politics though I try to follow the bouncing ball sometimes as it does affect my life. If you want to jump in try the WPATH site (www.wpath.org) and pay for a membership.

Hugs,
'lissa

[Stephanie-L]

The one bit of advise I give when looking for a therapist is to avoid those who are "Christian" or faith based, as they are most likely to have problems with us, at least in my opinion. You could look for a list of those who do so called "Repairative therapy" (aka conversion therapy) and avoid them at all costs. Even the APA and ACA state they are unethical.............Stephanie

[Bree-asaurus]

There are too many to list...

[Nicole Erin]

Why bother with a "gender" therapist?
All you really need is some therapist who you talk to a few times and get your HRT letter. I actually went that route once. It was someone who was by title "Licensed clinical social worker".

I don't remember what she said, but I spoke through tears of 15 years how my dog and me traveled about. The dog up and died, he up and died, and after 20 years I still grief. Oh wait, wrong story...

So anyways one time I had to take my son there with me, he was probably 3 at the time and I didn't have anyone to watch him cause his mom was working. This chick was kind of talking to him and at some point asked what made him cry. Like she was prying to see if he was abused or something. His response was when he got his butt spanked for being bad...

ANYways I never saw that therapist after that but at least I got my HRT letter.

Point is - all you need is someone to write an HRT letter, it is not like you are gonna find a therapist with more insight to being TS than what you already have. Do you expect them to say something miraculous to make problems go away?

[Bree-asaurus]

Why bother with a "gender" therapist?
All you really need is some therapist who you talk to a few times and get your HRT letter. I actually went that route once. It was someone who was by title "Licensed clinical social worker".

I don't remember what she said, but I spoke through tears of 15 years how my dog and me traveled about. The dog up and died, he up and died, and after 20 years I still grief. Oh wait, wrong story...

So anyways one time I had to take my son there with me, he was probably 3 at the time and I didn't have anyone to watch him cause his mom was working. This chick was kind of talking to him and at some point asked what made him cry. Like she was prying to see if he was abused or something. His response was when he got his butt spanked for being bad...

ANYways I never saw that therapist after that but at least I got my HRT letter.

Point is - all you need is someone to write an HRT letter, it is not like you are gonna find a therapist with more insight to being TS than what you already have. Do you expect them to say something miraculous to make problems go away?

Anyone who thinks therapy will magically make their problems go away is severely misinformed.

Likewise, anyone who thinks that a lot of people couldn't benefit from a therapist helping them help themselves through their problems is severely misinformed.

A therapist is a tool you can use, not a be-all end-all solution to all of life's problems. But just like all tools, some are made better than others.

[whowhatwhen]

Point is - all you need is someone to write an HRT letter, it is not like you are gonna find a therapist with more insight to being TS than what you already have. Do you expect them to say something miraculous to make problems go away?

That's a bit of a broad statement, isn't it?
Therapy obviously isn't a cure-all, but I don't think anyone with gender issues is going there to be fixed anyway.

Personally, I can't imagine how much worse off I would be if I didn't have my therapist to talk to.
Being able to open up and release all which has been buried, and allowing myself to explore my own identity has really helped with my stress level.

That being said, you only get something out if it if you put the work in yourself.
I remember her being quite clear that she couldn't tell me what I was, but that it was up to me to discover and come to terms with.

Rats.
Well worth it IMHO, and I wish it was covered here and for you guys down there.