Finally met with a gender therapist

[Billiejosehine]

In the past couple of months I have been running into difficulty finding a gender therapist within my immediate area where I live. Often when I did find a therapist they did not accept my insurance. I did eventually find a therapist, but I have to travel about 50 miles to see them. Which is going to have to do for now. Thursday was my first meeting and it went very well and I look forward to my next meeting. The therapist has worked with several other individuals that have transitioned or are in the process. She gave lots of resources to look at, told me about a gender clinic in Sacramento who can help with doctors and prescriptions, and said that I am more then welcome to come fully dresses if I want to (which I almost did).

[I Am Paula]

Congratulations. Another step closer. By all means go to therapist meetings dressed, it is who you are.

[Alexis.j]

Congrats.
I also have to travel quite far to my therapist, and my insurance does not cover it at all, so it is all out of my pocket.
I occasionly do go to him dressed up. You should seriously try it sometime.

[PretzelGirl]

If only insurance didn't constrain us any.....

I also would recommend going dressed. I analyzed myself to death on whether to dress or not (If I am not dressed, will he take me seriously. If I am, will he think I am leading the conversation). The point is, are you comfortable? I also now go to a group with the same therapist, but in drab as it is right after work and there is no hope of going home first. I prefer being dressed as I am just more comfortable.

[LeaP]

I have mostly gone to my therapist in drab, as I was coming home from work. But I have gone dressed a few times. The first was one of the best (and earliest validations) I've ever had. Try it – see what happens.

[Jorja]

Congratulations Billiejosephine, you have taken a major step in learning more about who you are and what you are all about. Get ready for the real work to start.

[Michelle789]

Congrats Billie!!! You've taken a very important step towards being your authentic self. It's okay if you have to travel to see your therapist, it's more important that she is a good, supportive, open-minded therapist who really understands this stuff and can help you in a humanistic way - that is she doesn't tell you what to do but is more into helping you understand your options.

[Leah Lynn]

She sounds like someone you can work with. My first wasn't aware of WPATH, second, wasn't transfriendly. Looking for number three...

Leah

[Ariamythe]

I would honestly be dead right now if it weren't for my therapist. Just having someone completely non-judgmental and knowledgeable to talk to helped me out of a very dark depression early in my transition. She was the one who gave me the confidence to go out dressed, and she is the one who challenged me to set a goal for going full time (still pending, but in the works). There's a view of therapists as gatekeepers, but the modern professional view towards trans is so much more about help and support, not judging and delaying.

[Madie]

Grats! That sounds great. It's wonderful to have someone that can help you decide on your path, whatever you decide to do. And sounds like she has some useful resources. If you want to dress for it she definitely sounds accepting of it. Being able to confide in one (and knowing they are sworn to confidentially, and, pardon sounding harsh, disposable if things go bad) is great load-off and practice opening up if you are a bit shy. Good luck in the days ahead.