VA Hospital - Gender counseling.

[Jamsey]

Hi, in replying to another thread, it occurred to me if many members of this site have used the VA Hospitals for counseling relating to transgender issues, transsexual issues, CDing etc.
I finally signed up with the VA about 3 years ago, mainly for hearing aids and a couple other issues. I'm 69, and was in Viet Nam 50 years ago. I recently was talking to the VA about mental health issues and receiving some counseling through them. I mentioned to them that I was transgender and asked if they would provide counseling for that.
During that conversation I mentioned that I could not even imagine coming into the VA Hospital dressed. These are the VA Hospitals in Madison. Seeing and talking to the Veterans there during the last few years, and especially the older ones, I don't think I would be received very well. I may be able to pass in an environment where no one is watching too closely but in a crowded room waiting to be called I would not pass inspection, pun intended.
Has anyone gone through the VA for assistance and how has your experience been?

[Karyn Marie]

Yes, I am a veteran, and have been part of the VA health care for several years. I have been seeing a mental health professional for over a year now for gender dysphoria. I am hoping to have SRS. I can’t say enough about the compassion and care I have received from my counselor. And three of her co-workers. My doctor has referred me to the endocrinologist at the VA Hospital in Seattle. I was prescribed HRT medications, and again, he was very understanding. I am hoping the VA will eventually do breast implants and the actual SRS. THey currently do not, but it has been considered. With Trump in the Whitehouse, I don’t see that changing in the near future but I do think it will change with new leadership. They do perform castration however, and many other services such as voice feminization and support groups. I have been very happy with the services and care I have received.

[Pat]

I go to the VA facility in Bedford MA -- not for gender counseling, but for other medical issues. I present female full-time, don't pass by a longshot and have never had a problem with staff or with the other vets I've interacted with. I even had to go through changing my name/gender with them (I had applied with the correct ones, but somewhere along the way someone decided the info on my 43 year-old DD-214 must have been more accurate than the form I filled out this year when applying for benefits. Trivia fact: it takes 30 days to change your name; it takes 30 seconds to change your gender marker.) Nobody batted an eye. In a couple of weeks I'll be going to see a specialist in the Jamaica Plain facility -- I don't expect it to be different but I'll bring it up if it is.

Edit: Just to bring this a little more on-track with the OP, the Bedford facility has a very active gender therapy program, I'm told. They have at least one psychiatrist who specializes in gender issues, many staff members who do gender counseling and they provide weekly group meetings for the transgender vets. Everything I've heard about them is positive, though if you need endocrinology or non-mental health treatment, you have to go to JP. I have a therapist I like, so I haven't looked into it yet, but next year I'm probably going to lose access to my therapist and might pick it up with the VA then.

[IleneD]

Jamsey,

First thing, my sister, is thank you and bless you for wearing the uniform of your country and serving the Constitution. NOW... it's time for the Constitution and The People to serve you.

I've not tried to solicit VA help for anything even though I 'm rated at 70% disability. If there's any VA facility where you should receive positive and good humane treatment, I'd think that Mad City WI (liberal center of the Wisconsin universe) would be it. If you told them you were TG, it's only a matter of time before the counselor requests you come in dressed.

I will , however, track your progress on reaching out to the VA. I foresee that I will be contacting my Denver VA hospital for similar services in the near future.
Hugs, and good luck.

[Terri Andrews]

I went to the VA last week ,for first time .
I told Dr. that I was transgender and was interested starting HRT . The Dr. admitted that she did not know much about the procedure,but would have someone call me . I am awaiting a call ,but will have to travel to DC for treatment .
I think that I may need
a stress test because of my age{73}

[Alice Torn]

I was in the Madison VA mental health ward last December, when i was near suicide. I go to the Rockford VA clinic. I have never gone dressed up. I have quit dressing for a while, trying to nurture my sad male loner self now, before i pass away.

[Rowan Ailbhe]

When and if it becomes necessary, I may pursue this...combat service in three wars, so I can use the VA for everything, despite having tricare...I usually don't bother.

TBH, I do not yet understand where my arc i tersects the gemder spectrum...R. has observed many of my mannerisms to have changed recently....it may wind up being necessary.