Questions about gender therapy

[FemPossible]

Before I begin I have to be honest and say that the idea of considering transitioning is fairly new to me. And yes I have read many threads on this forum and on other forums about people asking what the transitioning process is like. The main answer that comes up is to seek a gender therapist. However I still have some questions before I consider doing that. I apologize in advance if any of the questions are silly.

1. Is seeing your therapist a lifelong thing? No one ever mentions not seeing their therapist anymore. The closest thing I've seen to that is switching from one to another.

2. Is it better to have already tried living as the other gender before seeking therapy?

3. Something confuses me. People say that there isn't any definite criteria for determining who is transgender. But isn't that what the therapist is doing? You need their letter of recommendation to start HRT, right? Well, aren't they basically the "judge" of whether or not you get it?

4. What are sessions typically like? I've been to a psychiatrist before and it was pretty much like what you see on TV (in my opinion). I only mentioned that just in case there is a comparison.

[PretzelGirl]

You are probably asking questions that differ from person to person.

1. I think this may be true for some. But I am sure there are many that after transitioning and settling in, they no longer feel the need to talk about it with a professional.

2. I don't believe this is a common approach. But it depends how far you mean when you say living as the other gender. 100% would be unusual. But I was mostly full time other than work when I finally decided it was time to start talking.

3. I don't believe a therapist decides if you are transgender. You decide if you are transgender. They decide if you are equipped and ready to move on. So they may decide you get HRT, but it is more about your state of mind and your ability to handle all that comes with it physically, mentally, and socially.

4. Mine are like what I have seen on TV and movies. Sometimes we pick a specific subject because it is foremost in my mind and work through what I am thinking. Sometimes, I don't think of any particular topic and start talking about my highs and lows and the topic finds itself. Most of the time, I know what I want to accomplish.

[VanTG]

In my opinion, and this is just me.

1. Many do discontinue therapy after there surgery, although there is a some recent research that suggests people should continue seeing a therapist after surgery. Seeing a therapist does not have to be a lifelong thing, although each person is different. You may not see a therapist for 2 years but then you realize you need that check up again.

2. Something to talk to a therapist about

3. They are not the judge and there are many different therapists, they are basically making sure you are of sound mind and know what your doing. Is this what you want! Are you going to be able to handle it, if not, what skills can they instil within you to help achieve your goals.

4. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who went to med school and chose to work with brain issues (psychiatrist). So they are trained in the medical aspects of people, the biological basis of things, this also allows them to prescribe medicine. A therapist or a counsellor is trained more on theory and approaches to disorders and such.
"Psychologists work to help people understand the nature of difficulties they may be dealing with, develop insight and skills to minimize and manage the impact of problems, and may coordinate with other health service providers, including physicians."

Hope this helps

[Angela Campbell]

I saw a therapist for a while. He helped me understand what this is, and fully understand HRT and what can be involved in transition. Once I began hormones he told me I needed no therapy and to call if I needed to talk about anything, or when I need my letters for srs.
do not go now.

The letter for hrt is so they can make sure you understand the risks and implications of making a somewhat permanent and public change.

[LeaP]

1) Up to you - keep your therapist relationship as long as it is useful

2) Not in my opinion. A more pertinent question is whether you are questioning. If so, a therapist can certainly help ... a good one, anyway.

3) There are quite defined criteria for diagnosing gender dysphoria under the DSM. Only a medical or psychological practitioner can diagnose in the strictest sense. That's not quite the same as telling you who (or what) you are. You are only dealing with recommendation letters and such if you go to someone following the generally accepted standards of care. Most doctors won't prescribe without such a letter, but some will. Whether or not they are judging you in the way you mean depends on how they interpret their role. Ideally they SHOULD - as they are on the hook for extending appropriate care.

4) like TV? Close enough ... but no lying down on couches for me. Talk, exploration, challenge, experimentation.

[Kathryn Martin]

Uhmm,

1. I saw my therapist exactly 8 times, 3 for hormones and 5 for surgery; I needed to be assessed for those and there were no issues to explore;

2. that is really up to you, there is no better or worse, except in 1970s Britain;

3. They are, if they are good, the judge of whether you have co-morbidity issues that is any underlying mental problems that could affect your judgement. They diagnose you but the assessment results in a recommendation on whether you are a good candidate for hormones/surgery.

4. living room type room, two couches and armchair, two dogs and a notepad (for her), calm, quiet.

[JuliaC]

I was wondering what happens during your first appt? I am considering starting the process very soon.

[Terraforming]

Personally, I don't have a therapist. I found some balance in my life, came out to my family and friends, started presenting as female on a pretty regular basis, and then I went to an informed consent clinic and got my prescription. I still had to do a brief mental and physical evaluation with the doctor to make sure I wasn't making this decision on a whim, but I've known that I wanted this for a long time, so that's the route I chose. Whether that option is available to you depends on where you live. Regardless, a therapist is meant to help you find your path and make sure there's certainty in your decisions.

As for whether you should try to live as a female first, that depends on what your living situation is. If you're in a position where you can lose your entire support structure if you come out, then talking to a therapist first might be the best option. They have experience with patients dealing with these problems, and can help you map out your progress.

[samantha rogers]

Whether this is pertinent or not I will throw in that I went to my doctor before beginning therapy sessions. He was told by me that I had already been altering my hormonal balance for three years by other means (those means here unmentionable, unfortunately) and after confirming my progress through blood tests simply began me on a course of E. The therapist later, after several sessions, confirmed the appropriateness of that action, but the doctor was satisfied enough by the first simple consultation and bloodwork to begin pharma HRT with only the discussion of a confirmation letter from the therapist to follow (now done). FWIT, that was two months ago. Could not be happier, BTW. :battingeyelashes: