question about therapy.

[snyderarts]

Before i start, i just want to say that i'm sure about my choice... its not something i came to lightly and i've been working this out with myself for years.

I've decided that im ready to start taking Hormones. So my question is the therapist. do i have to go to a specialized one? or any old therapist will do?

[Amy Hepker]

You live in the midwest, I do not know if their is a good sexoligist in your area or not. You can go through your regular doctor for the hormones and he/she may suggest a therapist for you. The next best thing to do is call until you find one that will take you and help you through your transformation. Just be careful when taking hormones, they will have mental effects on you and that is why you should be under a doctors care when taking them.

[Empress Lainie]

Snyderarts be sure to find a therapist with ts/tg experience, the others may steer you wrong due to their ignorance of our condition and experience.

[melissaK]

Lainie is right - find one with experience. I have used three over the years and two with no TG experience were far less helpful as they just didn't get the seriousness of what I felt from the outset. Many sessions were pointless as they didn't understand the immovableness of some issues. The "you're just a sensitive guy" attitude was not helpful. So, shop around! Call and ask.

hugs,
'lissa

[stacie]

In Indianapolis there is a therapist named Michele Omara. She has help over a 100 transgender people and follows the Harry Benjamin Standars of care. You really want to find someone who is qualified and can see if you have gender dyshoria. She has a support group were you can talk to other people who are in the process of transitioning and those who have transition. Plus you will get the facts.

[snyderarts]

In Indianapolis there is a therapist named Michele Omara. She has help over a 100 transgender people and follows the Harry Benjamin Standars of care. You really want to find someone who is qualified and can see if you have gender dyshoria. She has a support group were you can talk to other people who are in the process of transitioning and those who have transition. Plus you will get the facts.

I dont live anywhere close there unfortunately. I live up in the suburbs of the twin city's in Minnesota

[rebekahm]

Hi there,

Below are some potential resources that might help you find a therapist and endo in the Minneapolis area.

I HIGHLY recommend finding someone who adheres to the WPATH standards or at least someone with previous TS experience. This is such a life-changing and life-saving process that you really want people who know, understand and are experienced in assisting you to reach your goals.

I hope that helps!


http://www.drbecky.com/therapists02.html

http://www.gender.org/resources/state/minnesota.html

http://www.med.umn.edu/fm/phs/clinic/transgender.html

[stacie]

Rebekahm posted some very helpfull web sites to look at. I hope you will find the time to look at them, You will be able to find some very good therapists in your area to help you. Take care and good luck.

[rebekahm]

Hi Snyderarts,

One other thing I hope helps. After seeing your HRT thread I can tell you from seeing various therapists in different parts of the country I can say most will work with you regarding cost of service - especially for younger girls.

As most of us are aware, transitioning is $$$$$$$$$$...$$$$$ (threw in a few extra $$ just in case) and every dollar counts. But transitioning is also very dangerous if not done properly. If you think HRT is the path to go, it is imperative to find a good therapist who can work within your cost range and point you to a good endo to provide hormones. I know of endos who provide hormones to their clients at cost - they truly care and are not necessarily out to squeeze every last dollar out of our "situation".

At the absolute minimum, you should contact some of the resources in the links provided earlier and explain your situation and see what they say - it never hurts to ask.

I really hope that helps at least a little bit.

Keep asking questions if you have them!

[melissaK]

In an unrelated email from WPATH I noted this referral information in your MN area:

"Try Pride Institute treatment center here in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area; they have been around about 20 years based on working with the GLBT community. I believe they still have branches in Florida,maybe in Arizona or California. 'The ownership has changed several times over the years and reports of their clinical skill with transgender concerns come and go , but they intend to do it right and have a good reputation as far as chemical dependency and 12-Step programming goes--they have a mental health clinic and aftercare programs too. You can see www.pride-institute.com or call 1-800-54-PRIDE. I think there is also a cneter in St. Paul called Alternatives on University Ave. but I don't have their number at the moment. Hazelden--several programs around here--is of course internationally famed and respected but doesn't have a particular LGBT focus, though I do know of trans folk who have gone through their
CD recovery programs. If anyone else knows of better ones , I'd like to learn of them. Good luck!
Respectfully, Scott Bartell LICSW/DCSW"

[paula jessica rains]

thanks for your words it helped alot because i am planig to become jessica rains for real and for ever and letting paul go because i am a woman traped in a mans body..........................jessica r.

[KeriB]

Lainie is right - find one with experience. I have used three over the years and two with no TG experience were far less helpful as they just didn't get the seriousness of what I felt from the outset. Many sessions were pointless as they didn't understand the immovableness of some issues. The "you're just a sensitive guy" attitude was not helpful. So, shop around! Call and ask.

hugs,
'lissa

I guess that I have a different perspective on this, which is why not every therapist, TG experienced or no, works for everyone.

My therapist, whom I've seen for other issues before starting on my TG issues, has plenty of GLB experience, but really no TG experience. And though I feel comfortable with her, the primary reason I am happy with her is that she comes to my sessions with no preconceptions about where I'm going or where I should go... she has no agendas (not saying others do..), and she is therefore, in my opinion, that much more objective in helping me figure out what it is that I want.

Bottom line: find a therapist that you are comfortable working with and talking to.. doesn't matter if they're Harry Benjamin himself if you can't interact openly and honestly with him. Just my 0.02...

[geri]

synderarts,

there is a great therapist that specializes in gender issues who lives in the elgin area. if you want her e-mail address, just ask me. she is terrific and has helped me so far and will continue until my journey is finished.

hugs,
geri

[Empress Lainie]

thanks for your words it helped alot because i am planig to become jessica rains for real and for ever and letting paul go because i am a woman traped in a mans body..........................jessica r.

same here jessica but took me 72 years to realize what my real problem with liking myself was.

I have succeeded beyond my wildest dreams. People I don't know say I am beautiful and they all think I am a GG.

Then nearly a 100 people I knew 7 years before treat me like an empress and a gg, and they all know I am trans.