Therapists

[tiger]

I've got my first appointment with a therapist on Thursday. I'm very excited and scared at the same time. I've been to psychologist / therapy before, but this is different.

My question is the psychologist I have an appointment with does not specialize in gender issues. I was unable to find someone in my area who specializes in gender issues and my insurance would pay for. My first 8 visits are no charge and after that a $20 co-pay.

Do i need to see someone who specializes in gender issues?

The reason I ask, I would like to take hormones at some point and I'm fairly sure I need something for my depression. I hate taking meds of any type, but my gender issues are driving me up the wall!

[gagirl1]

having a therapist who understands gender variance is very helpful in your progression through therapy. assuming this therapist is accepting of what you're going through and won't try to influence you to stop transitioning, you will still have to explain a lot to this person before any real therapy can begin. it's just a better starting point, if that makes any sense. try it out a few sessions, and if you like it, stay. if things don't quite mesh, there's no harm in going to someone else. make sure things stay on topic (being gender identity). it's a cheap option, so it's worth a shot.

oh, and congrats on starting therapy. it's a big step in the right direction that will continuously pay off. also, working towards the goal of transition might also help alleviate some of that depression. good luck, and let us know how it goes. good therapists are sometimes hard to come by, and i'm sure others would like to know about your experience.

[docrobbysherry]

One add: I believe it requires a certain license for a psychologist to be able to issue prescriptions. The therapist your seeing may not be at that level, even if u hit it off.

[Violet]

I believe psychiatrists (not LICSWs or psychologists) are able to dispense medication.

I think, really, the most important part of therapy is the connection you forge with your therapist. Of course, it would be nice if your therapist were well-versed in gender issues, but I don't think it's totally necessary. My psychiatrist isn't a gender specialist, but he's been the best therapist I've ever had.

And, sometimes I think that non-gender-specialist types can be better in some ways-- less likely to think that everything is related to gender identity issues, perhaps.

[GypsyKaren]

What you need is someone who you're comfortable with and who will be well versed in you, don't worry so much about their experience in gender issues.

A therapist can't write prescriptions, only a licensed doctor or nurse practitioner can, and most would require a therapist's or p-doc's recommendation before giving you hormones.

Karen :star:

[tiger]

Thanks for all the advice. I just wanted to make sure i wasn't heading down the wrong path, or a path that is more difficult than necessary.

My Family doctor will write prescriptions for anti depressants with a letter from a therapist. He did with my wife.

I've been reading a lot about the pro's and con's of hormones. I want to have a full medical checkup before taking for hormones. I think i want to be on a low dose of hormones to help with my feelings / emotions not necessarily for the physical effects.

I don't plan on living full time as a female. This is due to prior obligations (kids, wife, job). I think that there is a happy middle ground and that is where i think in want to be (at least that is the way i feel now). Everything is still very confusing.

[LaurenS.]

Yes Tiger it is very confusing for sure. I hope to be on hormones soon and for the same reason you want to be. Low dose should help with emotions and desires and not allow too much physical change. We all react differently but I believe there is hope with low dose hormones. Maybe you won't need anti-depressants.
Lauren

[tiger]

Went to my first appointment 2 days ago. I've been very busy and hadn't a chance to post.

I got lucky she stated that she has quite a bit of experience with gender issues.

I talked about my depression for about 5 min and then jumped in and told her that I think I have gender problems. I was looking for some sort of expression on her face but none came. When you tell some on you almost expect a shocked expression from them.

She was very supportive and I felt that our personalities matched up. She appears to be someone I can get along with. I've been to other therapists and you can tell that they are not really listening or paying attention. This was not like that.

I talked about the "happy middle" that I envision that incorporates both sides of me. We talked about SRS and hormones as well. I told her that was wasn't interested in SRS, but I was in hormones.

We spent most of the time talking about the last 10 yrs of my life and all the stuff I've been trough. She was shocked about all the things that happened to me. I think she was kinda amazed that I'm not more screwed up.

She was also impressed that I told my wife and how supportive she is. Not to discourage other from telling their SO. She stated that it normally takes years of therapy for others to get up the strength to tell their SO. (Telling my wife was a very good decision)

Over all I think I'm on the right track. I'm not sure what that track is, but it feels right.

[Rayne1]

I am new to this forum, but am confused with this talk of therapy. Why is there a need to go to a therapist? If you wish to be as a woman is there a reason why so many here are seeing a therapist. Is it because of any hormone therapy prescriptions, or is it mandatory for getting some insurance approval for any surgeries you plan to have?

[Emily Anderson]

My experience has been that regardless of the diploma, credentials etc. the most important thing is whether or not you can relate to the therapist, and whether or not the therapist relates to you.

More importantly, do you/will you feel that you are making progress as a person by interacting with your therapist? If this is not the case, then you need to find someone who can actually help you...

Give the therapist a try, and see how you feel after a few sessions.

I honestly hate academics for the sake of academia, and despise people who claim to know what they are talking about just because they have a piece of paper claiming that they passed certain tests.

Life is about you, and how you feel about life.

[Kaitlyn Michele]

you know what you want and that is great..

you do need a therapist to get certain things that you probably want...some girls are able to work around the system

maybe you have other issues that a therapist can help with.....a good therapist will VERY QUICKLY understand that you know what you want and they should HELP YOU!!!! get going and get the stuff you need, meet the people, etc....if you've already done all that, then you are really doing great

but i think you should just see a therapist and decide for yourself!!! you might like the way they help you

best of luck to you sweetie

michele