Should I tell my therapist - Part 4

[dianwb262]

I thought I would share something with you. About a month and half ago I came across this forum. I had just started seeing a therapist for a different reason than crossdressing. i posted the question here on whether I should tell her about crossdressing or not. i wasn't sure how she or I would react. Well I told her and she actually seem relieved, but one thing she said at the time was to stay away from the internet. With the holidays I didn't see her much but the first couple of sessions it was mentioned but not talked about in much detail. I think she knew I was uncomfortable to discuss it and she wasn't going to push it. Besides I had enough other things to keep her busy for the hour. Well this past week she wanted to discuss it in more detail. She asked if the urge to crossdress has decreased any (there was reasons for the question). I said no and i said there was something she was't going to like. I told her that I found this website recently and found myself going to it frequently. I said that there were people here I can identifiy with. Especially those who either had wives that did not know or those that wives did not accept(My wife does not know). I even told her that I had posted the question on weather I should tell her or not. I was surprised with her answer. She strongly encourage it. She said that support groups are opening up everywhere. She did say at times some support groups can be harmful, but she did not have a problem with this. She was curious with what the responses were to the question on weather I should tell her. Sorry if this was long but I thought you might be interested.

[Ruth]

Thanks yes that is interesting. I have been in therapy for over a year, principally about my CDing, so there was no question over telling my therapist.
But in your case her response about the internet was interesting: also her change of tack later on.
I think there is some really sleazy stuff on the internet concerning CDing, which may have been her original concern, but that is just a subdivision of the whole internet porno juggernaut, and there is, as we both know, a lot of good community based information and support also.
I think that going through our CD stuff with a therapist is good both for us and for the therapist - the more they know and experience about CDing, the better.

[dianwb262]

Thanks, I think her initial response was due for 2 reasons. One I work with computers, I am in software. And second i kept telling her there was another issue I wanted to tell her but couldn't. This went on for a couple of sessions. So she was afraid I had done something illegal and when i told her she was actually relieved.

[Julogden]

Good to hear her response regarding this site. I suspect that her initial warning to stay away from the Internet was made with the sleazier side of things in mind.

I hope that she works out well for you, although from what I've heard from others, when we go to therapists who don't specialize in gender issues, we frequently end up having to educate the therapist at our own expense, as they're usually as ignorant and ill-informed about us as the general public is.

Carol

[Sinthia]

Perhaps you could bring up, on the computer, your first post about telling your therapist and let her read the responses from the forum. That way she will be able to see the support you have been given from your fellow-crossdressers.

[Stargirl]

The people in our group are natural educators, due to the open forum. I feel relaxed here, and I have learned something new every day. We are part of an evolution. Dispelling misconceptions seems to be a main outcome ! Many phobes are expecting something sordid, and murky. LOL.

[dianwb262]

Perhaps you could bring up, on the computer, your first post about telling your therapist and let her read the responses from the forum. That way she will be able to see the support you have been given from your fellow-crossdressers.

I thought about that, but then wonder if I should since I obviosly don't use my real name. It is still hard to discuss this openly with her. But we had a long discussion about it the other day.

[KeriB]

I agree with Carol... I was seeing a therapist for other issues and during the initial phases of our meetings I did mention that I crossdressed. We then spent about two years working on my lingering childhood issues but never really got to the CD issue. I was more relieved, as it is something that doesn't get discussed easily with others. But, to make a long story short, while my therapist was outstanding in my opinion, I don't necessarily think she had the expertise to deal with my gender issues, which in the end is probably a good thing it wasn't discussed.

So, to state the obvious, while I think discussing CD issues may be good, more importantly is whom you discuss it with.

[trannie T]

There is much sleazy crap on the net which is probably the concern of your therapist. Aside from my pathetic posts most of the information posted on this site is pretty good and well intended.

[Joanna-Louise]

I think the other line of thought a therapist may be worried about is confusing and conflicting information. I know when i was seeing my thereapist years ago she was worried about groupd like this incase of "brain washing" or incase i looekd away from the "real issue" behind my problems.

Gotta admit tho, if id found this site years ago, maybe id be a different woman lol

Good luck with the therapy hun, and hopefully shell get to look at this site and see that there is a haven of great and useful info here :D