Therapy and stuffs

[JR15]

I'm going to therapy in a couple of days. My parents only know I'm going in for depression but there's obviously far more to it. With that said I'm only going to a therapist and not a gender therapist. My question, is there a big difference to this? And will I eventually be referred to a gender therapist? Or will I eventually need to see a gender therapist instead? Overall, can a therapist prescribe t? Thanks guys. Hope this is all clear!

I been doing a lot of thinking and soul searching and I want nothing more than to go forward this. Here's to a new year.

[wheat thins are delicious]

With that said I'm only going to a therapist and not a gender therapist. My question, is there a big difference to this?

It depends on if the therapist has experience.  The only difference between a therapist and gender therapist is a gender therapist generally specializes in gender issues.  Therapists can have experience with gender issues.

And will I eventually be referred to a gender therapist? Or will I eventually need to see a gender therapist instead?

It depends on your doctor.  Some doctors will give you T based on informed consent.  If you feel don't have any gender issues you need to/want to work through before T you can call around to see if any doctors around you will do informed consent.

Overall, can a therapist prescribe t?

No.  I believe they don't have the option to prescribe anything actually, though I think psychiatrists can prescribe some meds but def not T.

[Caldwell]

A therapist can't prescribe anything, only a psychiatrist can. But not even a psychiatrist should prescribe you T, an endocrinologist should. Psychiatrists often don't and don't have to know a single thing about endocrinology, unlike endocrinologists. Either an endocrinologist or some equivalent experienced health care provider should prescribe you T.

[JR15]

Cool thanks for the responses and clearing that up. No I'm not underage.

[Felix]

Your therapist can prescribe T if he or she is a MD, DO, NP, psychiatric nurse, PA, or anybody else who has prescribing privileges. Until recently, all of my talk therapy came from physicians at a teaching hospital. Not everybody sees regular psychologists or social workers or whatever.

However, I'd feel pretty uncomfortable about getting T from anybody but a general practitioner or internist or whatever. Endocrinologists are not easy to come by, so I'm not a fan of directing people to them. Something so basic and long-term shouldn't require a specialist.

I got all of my gender therapy (and letter) from a regular therapist, but she was somewhat involved with the queer community, which helped. I wish I had access to an actual gender therapist. I come here so much partly because my therapists just don't get gender issues so I tend not to talk about them.

[Kyle_S]

Yeah, gender therapist is your best bet, if you can find one. I just got a reg psychiatrist, was there 30 min. We talked, he confirmed I knew what I would be doing and such....and that was it. half hour. Not very helpful. Just told  me to schedule another appointment if I thought I needed one :/   I wish we had gender therapists here. I'm hoping his confirmation will be enough, since he said that it wouldn't matter to give me a letter, since the decision is up to me....... wow...?