Krisi,Originally Posted by Krisi
I can't speak with any authority on your own experience with therapists as I don't have any fidelity on your personal circumstances. To a point, I agree with what you say in that not all therapists are created equal and anyone with the right academic credentials can hang out a shingle and play "The Doctor is in". So it is possible that you had two therapists who are generalists and not schooled primarily in the area you needed to discuss or, they were just lousy therapists. It is also possible that some people go to a therapist and are not open to their help, repress what is salient and just don't cooperate so . . . just saying these folks are naturally going to see therapy as a bunk. It is also possible that some people truly don't need the therapy, know it and are not receptive to being referred . . . again . . . it is not likely to help.
However, there are people out there in extreme emotional pain, depression, repression and all the craziness that goes with being transgender and talking to someone who is experienced in this area is a good way to bring order to chaos. Any therapist worth her/his salt is going to work with the person and guide them. I get skeptical when someone comes on here and says my therapist told me I am transsexual after two visits. I spent two years in therapy with a wonderful therapist who has experience in trans issues and not once did she say . . . I think you are this or that. She allowed me to explore, acted as a sounding board, guided and when I realized I was transsexual then we moved forward. Don't get me wrong, she challenged everything I said and made me dig deep and work hard but it is part of the process. However, I never once felt she was just there to get paid . . . she saved my life.
Not hacking on your opinion . . . it is yours and you are welcome to it. I just want to provide those who might read your post with a balanced point of view. Therapy is hit and miss and you get what you put in. If you are not honest or you only want to hear what your want to hear, it will go nowhere fast. Do your homework and if it is possible find a therapist who specializes in transgender issues. If you don't know, reach out to a local trans support group for a reference. Once you find the therapist your first visit should be about discussing her/his experience and what you expect to get out of therapy and what she/her can do for you. If she/he indicates that in a few visits they will be able to determine if you are or are not trans . . . I would approach this therapy with caution. Your follow-up visits should be about introspection and self-discovery not "well if you like to dress up like a woman you are a woman". Therapy takes hard work and you have to be prepared to open yourself like a book and if you don't . . . it won't work.
All this to say, it is plausible for some therapists to be an absolute waste of your time which is why you really need to do your homework. If you are not happy with the direction of the therapy, let the therapist know and if she/he will not see reason . . . find a new one. If you are only looking for what you want to hear (e.g., I am or am not trans) then your therapy will be a bust IMHO. You have to be prepared to discover something about yourself you may or may not like and only then will therapy be able to help you.
Cheers
Marcelle
