Do You See A Therapist at Present ?

[JoAnne Wheeler]

Are any of you seeing a therapist at the present time ? I see three regularly, two in Louisville and the other in Lexington. They are Super ladies.

I love to talk with them - in fact I cannot wait until my next appointments with each. They have helped me and guided me in ways that I could not have done by myself. They have helped me find the right doctors. They have helped me when I needed to vent and when I needed a friend.

I spent 4 hours with my Lexington therapist last week - she offered to go with me when I had my SRS !!

My transition journey has been made so much easier because of them.

I was wondering if you, too were blessed as I have been because of your therapists ?

JoAnne Wheeler

[TxKimberly]

Not only "no" but HELL no. I've got enough problems with out letting someone else tinker with my thinker

[sandra-leigh]

Two therapists at present.

For the first, my primary question was "How do I bring the good things I find in crossdressing into the rest of my life?" -- but that therapist has turned out to be my therapist for my general life situations.

The second therapist is a gender therapist, but I tend to diverge into some medical issues.

[Laurie Ann]

Yes and a psychcitrist as well

[thechic]

Yep,too Meany gender issues so had to go see one, must say it has helped

[EnglishRose]

My wife and I are going together to see a gender therapist this weekend (already have regular ones). I'm looking forward to it with hope and a little trepidation.

[BRANDYJ]

No, I have never felt a strong need to have one. Sure, there were times I would have liked to talk to a professional about my CDing. But since that is a very expensive path to follow, I just never did. I can understand it if someone thinks they are a candidate to transition from one gender to the other, But for us CD's that have accepted ourselves more or less, it is perhaps a needless expense....for some, if not most.

My therapy has always come from those that love me and that I love.

[Kaitlyn Michele]

yes a good therapist saved my life

alot of people hate therapists, and that's fine..but a good therapist has a wealth of knowledge to share with you..

your issue would be to find the good therapist..that's difficult and you can solicit opinions based on your location..

also a therapist may have a private support group..i found a group that way, and its been a terrific experience for me, and i beleive for each of the folks that joined the group

[Katesback]

No exept three days before SRS when I had to sit in front of a therapist and tell him I thought it was crazy that I had to tell him I was TS and draw pictures of boys and girls.

Oh well.

Katie

[Ze]

Technically had two, but recently had to break ties with both because I'm moving in about a week. One was gender, the other was gender/medical. Both were good, though perhaps not as good as what you're describing.

Really hope I find some good, free ones over in Boston.

[Thornton]

I see a therapist. She's nice and all, and has made a few things with my family a little easier. But I'm not gonna lie, I wouldn't see her if my endo didn't threaten to take away my T...

[Karen564]

[SIZE=2]Over the course of 6 years, I've had two therapist, and only one at at time...[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]The 1st one was fantastic & saved my life, got me on tract to sort out my life & on HRT, etc...then he retired..and didn't bother to find a replacement because frankly, just didn't feel the need for another one at the time...then about two years ago I found another because I was feeling down & wanted to get the ball rolling again, but this one has acted more like the old school gatekeeper type..and moved things along at a much slower pace compared to the 1st therapist....[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]I've only used for them for the purpose of documentation to meet the standards of care..and for some guidance with family issues, not for paid friendship..[/SIZE]

[Traci Elizabeth]

I have never had a need for one. And never felt the need for one.

But then again, I have been blessed that I have never had any negative emotions about my sexuality or gender. I have been always positive about being fem and never even tried to fit the "macho-man" image. I was enjoyed myself so much more in the company of females than males.

[luvSophia]

Yes, I see a therapist. About once every two months these days, just to keep her up to date on where I am at. She is a wonderful person to talk with but she is a bit light on providing resources. She did put me in contact with one individual who turned out to know where to go for just about everything.

[JoAnne Wheeler]

I see that there are many varried responses - and that is good. We all have different needs.

As for me, I absolutely swear by my Gender Therapists. They have helped me get to the right endocrinologists and medical doctors. They will help me with my surgeon. In fact, my Lexington therapist is a good friend and referral therapist to Dr. Marci Bowers. My therapists have been able to pull a lot of strings to get my Transition Journey started and continued in the right direction.

They have been totally awesome for me.

But I hear the responses from others - and if you can transition without a gender therapist, then that is okay. I might be able to, but I do not want to. They have helped countless others down the transition path and they share their knowledge with me. I think it makes it a lot easier.

The transition journey is hard enough as it is and I am all in favor of doing everything I can to make it easier. My gender therapists do this for me.

For those who do not have a therapist or never saw a therapist or don't want a therapist, who helps you with your transition ? Are you trying to do it by yourself ? I am not that brave.

As I stated previously, my gender therapists have been absolutely awesome in helping and guiding me in the journey.

JoAnne Wheeler

[Rianna Humble]

I don't have a therapist yet but then I have only had my 2nd GP appointment today. My doctor wrote to the local mental health practice a week ago, so I should hear in roughly 2 weeks about when I can have an appointment. This is a necessary stage before I can be referred to a GIC.

As for who helps me at the moment, why do you think I'm so avid on these forums?

[SamanthaStMichaels]

I have burned through two therapist and a psychiatrist. I am currently seeing a transgender therapist I absolutely love. It is my firm belief that people with gender issues should find experts, not train, educate, or be a guinea pig for therapists with no transgender experience.

I listen to my real life transgender friends and the come to me with the stuff their social worker, therapist or other mental health specialist say. I can't believe the stuff that comes from these people. It's almost like they are making stuff up. I bet they have never read one book, and are totally unmotivated to educate themselves about the subject.

[Stephanie Anne]

I couldn't do this without a good therapist. I know some people hate them but they really help sort out your head when you find a good one.

[Barbara Dugan]

I see a therapist because of my suicidal thoughts and depression but all of those issues are related to the my gender and sexuality issues. I am glad I did seek help... I really couldnt handle it myself alone

[Hope]

I see a therapist regularly. Personally I think anyone who is walking this path, and thinks they don't need a guide, is fooling only themselves.

[Deborah Jane]

I spent two years in therapy with a clinical phsycologist sorting out issues from my past which led to self harming and a few suicide attempts, during that time my gender issues were touched on.
Since then I've seen a phsyciatrist who has referred me to a gender clinic.
At present I'm not in therapy of any sort.

[SuzanneBender]

I am seeing one, but he hasn't been much help so today was probably the last appointment.

I have found our marriage therapist who has little to no transgendered counseling experience has been wonderful. I have gained much more insight because of her.

My other "therapist" has been my wonderful wife. I have been able to share parts of me with her that I have never shared with anyone before and she has shared a perspective of her transgendered hubby that has helped me navigate the pink fog and stay grounded in reality.

Each of us has different needs depending on where we are in our life's journey and where we are headed. JoAnne I am so glad that you have found one that is really making a difference in your life.

[natasha]

Searching out and getting the courage to see a theripist was probably one of the best things I have done (and continue to do). To find out that you are not some kind of wierdo and really just a regular person with some "issues" was a parting of the seas for me. Getting the courage to utter the words that I am in the wrong skin to someone I didnt know was a HUGE step, but needed to be done. I only wish I did it much sooner!!!

[olga]

Searching out and getting the courage to see a theripist was probably one of the best things I have done (and continue to do). To find out that you are not some kind of wierdo and really just a regular person with some "issues" was a parting of the seas for me. Getting the courage to utter the words that I am in the wrong skin to someone I didnt know was a HUGE step, but needed to be done. I only wish I did it much sooner!!!

I fully agree! I’ve been seeing a therapist once a week for almost three years now. I’ve tried three other ones before, and each time I got discouraged, because it wasn’t the right fit. You really have to look for a person that you “click” with, and certainly avoid ones that try to “cure” you from your “defects” — these are the worst.

I wish I’d had the courage to look for a therapist much sooner in my life. I think everyone would benefit from psychotherapy. It’s like yoga for the brain

olga

[Traci Elizabeth]

I see a therapist regularly. Personally I think anyone who is walking this path, and thinks they don't need a guide, is fooling only themselves.

Where are you getting this stuff at?

First off, you are discounting that some folks are of sound (meaning strong) mind and body albeit changing to better fit their gender.

Second, if one has a very healthy and positive acceptance of themselves, then why would they seek counsel from a therapist.

Third, how many therapist are Transgender themselves? Is yours? How many have any formal education on Transgender issues? Or like so many trans folks have stated, they are the "first" Transgender patient their therapist has ever encounter.

Finally, I am not in anyway stating that seeing a therapist is a waste of time and money. I sincerely hope that those folks who seek a therapist do in fact get the help they need and move forward with their therapist's assistance. All I am saying is that not all of us need one, and to make the claim that we are "just fooling ourselves" is baseless.

The thing I really like about this forum is that we can express our "own opinions" and our "own experiences" including yours and mine. And we can respectably disagree with each other if those are contrary to our own.