Progress

[skylance]

So, I have been seeing a new therapist now for a couple of months, and I think there is some progress being made. With this latest session, she suggested that I should start wearing lightly padded bras every day, and to gradually start increasing the amount of padding. She also wants to work with me a bit longer before she starts considering giving me the note.

While I am going along with the bra assignment, and am kind of glad to go along with it, I am also wondering if anyone else has had similar "homework" from their therapist? I am also somewhat concerned that, while she does cover LGBT+ issues, she is not a specialist in trans issues, and the nearest specialist is over 100 miles from where I live.

With this concern, I'm trying to figure out if I should continue to see this therapist, or should I try to start seeing the specialist.

Thanks
Sky

[Eemz]

Do you know what the intention of the expanding bra exercise is? Is it for you, to help with dysphoria? Or is it for others, to start slowly introducing the idea that something is happening with you in this arena? Get them used to the idea gradually, rather than turning up some day in a wig and makeup and demanding everyone's support? (which is a bad idea imho).

[Ashley in Virginia]

This just sounds like bull shit gatekeeping to me. I don't see what wearing a bra around is going to help you figure out about yourself, aside from screw wearing a bra all day.

[Lana Mae]

Sky, I am not sure of your situation! Does your therapist have any LGBTQ+ experience at all? Mine does not necessarily specialize in but has had many she has worked with! I go dressed and have had no "bra exercise" to carry out! Of course, I have forms and bras! If this therapist has little experience with our community then you might want to consider that specialist 100 miles away! I lucked out as mine is experienced with LGBTQ+ and is only 5 or so blocks away! Best wishes going forward! Hugs Lana Mae

[pamela7]

skylance, big big warning signs for me here ... sounds like they're milking you.

[Jeri Ann]

I'm trying to figure out if I should continue to see this therapist, or should I try to start seeing the specialist. Sky

Hey Sky,

I seems to me that your therapists has given you this "homework" because she doesn't know what else to do. A qualified gender therapist should know that gender identification has little to do with getting used to wearing a bra.

You might try seeing the specialist to see what that may offer you. Also ask your current therapist how close you might be to getting the letter.

I am assuming the letter is for HRT? You once said that you would never transition, has that changed? If not, why the letter/HRT?

Several years ago I was going to a therapist 100 miles away. It is not that bad.

[Lana Mae]

My first endo was about 100 miles away! Nice drive dressed pretty! Hugs Lana Mae

[Bria]

Run, do not walk, to see the specialist!

[Katya@]

I never had a gender therapist. I figured out on my own and started wearing bra only because my breast started to grow on hormones. First just for runs (I had to), and now every day (again, I had to as it was rather noticeable). Btw, I still remove padding from my bra when I go to work as my presentation is neutral. I don't see how wearing a bra can help you figure out if you are in need of cross sex hormone therapy. I would ask the therapist what is the purpose of the exercise and if she basis it on any research.

[Sara Olivia]

I so agree with Jeri Ann's comment. "A qualified gender therapist should know that gender identification has little to do with getting used to wearing a bra." And I very strongly agree with the consensus of the others commenting here that you should find a new therapist sooner rather than later. Wearing a lightly padded bra and then gradually increasing the amount of padding just sounds ridiculous to me. I cannot imagine a competent therapist therapist ever assigning such homework.