Why dress for therapy?

[Bea_]

the question was asked in another thread and I didn't want to derail that thread so I figured I'd pose the same question and give my take...

from: Selecting a Therapist


I'm curious why u and others felt the need to dress for your appointment(s), Lucy?:battingeyelashes:

THat never even occurred to me in mine!:eek:

Dressing was a side issue for me when I started therapy. After several sessions addressing the original issues, I finally mentioned that "Half of my wardrobe is from the women's section". It totally surprised my therapist and I was obviously the first crossdresser she'd counselled. I dressed for the next session mostly because it felt more informative all around if I just showed instead of just talking about it. After that I dressed for every appointment and went from changing at the facility to showing up dressed. It ended up being a safe place to explore some self-assigned exposure therapy.

Unlike some here, I am very much an introvert. Also, unlike many/most here I don't present as a woman, ever. My taste includes many feminine cues but only as a bearded old man. I think that fact is more vulnerable to misinterpretation and would not go over well in my world.

So, I dress at home every day, I go to therapy dressed. It makes me feel more free to discuss exactly who I am and to explore motivations. It also helps me to deal with a sense of rejection that comes with being different.

That's given me some courage to present a bit more freestyle in the real world. I'd like to just own it outright and not care what people thought, but it would cost me in my social life and family life.

[kimdl93]

It seems appropriate for someone who is contemplating or actually living a part of dressed as a woman to present themselves at therapy in that manner. Sometimes people need a little extra assurance that it’s ok.

[docrobbysherry]

I wasn't referring to trans that live/present as women, Kim. Just those that aren't out. Such as myself and Bea.

Thanks for your explanation, Bea. As an introvert myself I strongly support any process or action that frees u to be/present as yourself!:thumbsup:

[Traci H]

Bea, yes I think being able to dress makes it real in some way. If one is in therapy, being dressed puts it front and center. The elephant in the room. I would suggest that anyone thats crossdresses should at some point consider dressing.

Myself, I want to dress to some degree. My wife would not like it, so maybe swapping out some things after leaving the house would be appropriate. Shoes, purse, blouse or jacket could be swapped in route. Maybe some lipstick or light makeup. Now that I write that it seems like that is what you do.

You mentioned the sense of rejection with being different. I view it differently. I take great pleasure in being different. Any of us can wear boring old male clothes without issue. I think bring a CD makes us stand out, willing to be different. I think some of the appeal of cding is that desire to standout.