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SexySteph
09-18-2008, 11:18 PM
I have been seeing a psychologist and have talked to her about my crossdressing. Of course she is supportive and has helped me deal with various issues and has helped me realize its OK to have the feelings I do and not to be ashamed of who I am.

Today I admitted to her that I would like to come dressed to my next session but did not know if it would be appropriate. She said if that will help me become more comfortable and accepting of myself then it is not a problem. This will be the first time I have ever been out of the house dressed other then panties under my drab clothes.

Although I will probably conceal my outfit till I get to her office I owe it to this site and all the posts that give me the strength and courage to push myself a little further each time. Best of all the advice is free.

Sharon
09-18-2008, 11:33 PM
You don't owe anything to this site -- you have nothing to prove to us. That said, it reads to me that it would probably be a good idea for you to do it since it matters to you.

Jenn2716
09-18-2008, 11:39 PM
Congrats on gaining the strenght, courage and confidence to decide to go to your therapy session dressed. I also count myself as one of the lucky ones to have found this board and become encouraged by all of the wonderful people here.
I would be a totally different transgendered person without the advice and kind words of the guys and girls on this site.

Good luck with your outing!!!

Sarasometimes
09-19-2008, 07:35 AM
Good luck and I have walked in your heels. I finally found a therapist who is truly knowledgable in gender issues (I hope your is, be careful of the many who sound like they know but are actually being educated by you happed 4 times previously, just be on the lookout I wasted much time and money learning this lesson). Mine actually said that it would help her greatly understand how I feel when dressed if I came to her dressed. I have regular appointments where we discuss how to get through life with balance and other unrelated issues I have. I have a salon appointment before my next session so I will be there dressed and it really does help you connect to what CDing is all about for you. My place will even let me come there endrab and change. Good luck again and hopefully you can learn much from this experiment, I have!

Jenna Lynne
09-19-2008, 11:12 AM
Yay! Good for you. Been there, done that. Whether or not your therapist has any special knowledge, the fact that he or she is accepting of your needs is real important.

This worries me a little, though, I confess: "She said if that will help me become more comfortable and accepting of myself then it is not a problem." I would expect a therapist who was truly accepting to say something like, "I would be honored that you trust me enough to want to share this important part of yourself with me."

It's easy to read too much into a forum post that may not have been meticulously worded, so I may be totally off-base here. I'm just saying, the way you worded that made it sound ... a bit cautious.

Please let us know how it goes.

***Jenna Lynne***

Sarasometimes
09-19-2008, 11:31 AM
Yay! Good for you. Been there, done that. Whether or not your therapist has any special knowledge, the fact that he or she is accepting of your needs is real important.

This worries me a little, though, I confess: "She said if that will help me become more comfortable and accepting of myself then it is not a problem." I would expect a therapist who was truly accepting to say something like, "I would be honored that you trust me enough to want to share this important part of yourself with me."

It's easy to read too much into a forum post that may not have been meticulously worded, so I may be totally off-base here. I'm just saying, the way you worded that made it sound ... a bit cautious.

Please let us know how it goes.



***Jenna Lynne***
Jenna Lynn, I was thinking the same thing when I read her post but didn't want to jump to conclusions or disappoint her. The reply from her therapist is what inspired me to tell of my tale of training several therapist while paying for the time. My therapist was excited and encouraging when i first mentioned going there dressed. They even stored my stuff for me when i couldn't leave with it. I hope we are both way wrong and hear about a great session for her!!!

KandisTX
09-19-2008, 12:04 PM
"I would be honored that you trust me enough to want to share this important part of yourself with me."

This was exactly what my therapist said to me when I showed up at an appointment as Kandis. She was somewhat taken aback at first because she was expecting to see K**** sitting there, and instead there was this 'woman' sitting in her waiting room. That was one of the best sessions we ever had because I was able to communicate with her more as Kandis than I would have ever thought that K**** ever could. She even addressed me as Kandis throughout the appointment.

Steph,

You my dear will find this to be an exhilerating experience, albeit quite overwhelming especially if you have never left you home dressed before. Take it one step at a time and you will be fine. I would suggest dressing rather "modestly" (I say this not knowing your dressing style), so to not attract any unwanted attention to yourself. Do your best to "blend in" to the surroundings and you should go by unnoticed by the others around.

Kandis:love::rose2:

Tree GG
09-19-2008, 01:15 PM
..., "I would be honored that you trust me enough to want to share this important part of yourself with me."....

Your femme self is you, for you, about you and how you feel. No one else - ever. Certainly feel she is a gift to you, but never assume she is a gift to anyone else nor presume how they should feel upon introduction. Your feelings are yours and their feelings are theirs. The therapist didn't need to meet Steph, Steph wanted to meet the therapist and I believe the wording was excellent. It makes CDing Steph's conscious decision and choice of expression.

Acceptance and agreement rarely are the same thing.

pinkeverything
09-19-2008, 02:16 PM
I'm just wondering, are you going to therapy because you think that there is something wrong with crossdressing? If that's the case, I can save you a pile of money and put a stop to your confusion in one sentence. Ready?

Acceptance is the answer to ALL of our problems.

Roberta Llyan
09-19-2008, 06:33 PM
.

You are more polite than I was. I simply showed up in a shirt, blouse, etc after our very first meeting. And I've been going enfemme ever since....that was over 9 months ago now. She and I get along great and we talk about all the things concerning my CD and TG. I'm the first TG she has ever had so we are both helping each other.

I wish you the very best.

Hugs

Sarasometimes
09-19-2008, 10:14 PM
This was exactly what my therapist said to me when I showed up at an appointment as Kandis. She was somewhat taken aback at first because she was expecting to see K**** sitting there, and instead there was this 'woman' sitting in her waiting room. That was one of the best sessions we ever had because I was able to communicate with her more as Kandis than I would have ever thought that K**** ever could. She even addressed me as Kandis throughout the appointment.

Steph,

You my dear will find this to be an exhilerating experience, albeit quite overwhelming especially if you have never left you home dressed before. Take it one step at a time and you will be fine. I would suggest dressing rather "modestly" (I say this not knowing your dressing style), so to not attract any unwanted attention to yourself. Do your best to "blend in" to the surroundings and you should go by unnoticed by the others around.

Kandis:love::rose2:
I am so glad to have been wrong and very happy your session went well. As my post mentions I learned the hard way and was just hoping to save anyone else from the same fate. For me usually go at least underdressed if not all enfemme. It realy helps me get in touch and know what i feel then. it also is sooo relaxing! Great to hear it went so well, and as for people questioning the need for therapy, that is up to us as individuals. Every one on this forum has a unique situation to manage.

helenr
09-19-2008, 11:04 PM
Hi, this may be one of my off the wall posts, but I wonder how much others benefit from spending $100. or so for 45 minutes with a therapist? I honestly think that no amount of education can ever equal the special sympatico that we share at various sections of Crossdressers.com. Perhaps I should say that I find great compassion, contructive criticism, creativity,etc from other members. Hey, if your cousellor is greatly helping you, good luck and I wish you the best. helenr

Sandra Dunn
09-20-2008, 12:03 AM
You should do what ever your comfort zone allows you to. In one of the earlier post it was stated that Steph wants to meet the therapist and I agree with that. I have never gone to a therapist for any personal reason. I found others like me, visited them in person and went out in public as me. Each day since more people have found out and those who have a problem with it and feel the need to break the friendship is no great lost. I have found more freinds because of my being TG.
HUGS Sandra, P.S. I do go to church as me, still go in drab to work but I'm working on that issue from the other side( company policies).