Psychoanalysis advice

[CelestaT]

I'm starting, after five months of my shrinks being useless, the actual psychoanalysis portion of the gender-clinic's program on Monday. I'm really nervous; any advice on what I should expect?

[Stephe]

I'm starting, after five months of my shrinks being useless, the actual psychoanalysis portion of the gender-clinic's program on Monday. I'm really nervous; any advice on what I should expect?

I was pissed I had to go to three therapy session a month apart before I could get a hormone letter. Of course the therapist didn't seem to consider I had already been living full time for YEARS before I came to her.


The SOC is so horribly broken. Sorry for the OP you have to endure this and wish I could help you get past these gate keepers.

[Re: Joyce]

Without knowing the country you live in (so others with more experience can tell you what to expect from your particular health care system) and your age (so we have an idea what the system allows), it's difficult to say.

     Are you 11 years old or 50?    U.S., Canada, or Ireland?

      Have you been living full time or do you still question your gender?   Do you have other mental health issues?

      I hope you get the idea.

       If you're of legal age, living in the U.S., it should be pretty easy, if you know what you want and where you want to go.  Otherwise, perhaps the course you are already on is appropriate.

[kelly_aus]

I was pissed I had to go to three therapy session a month apart before I could get a hormone letter. Of course the therapist didn't seem to consider I had already been living full time for YEARS before I came to her.


The SOC is so horribly broken. Sorry for the OP you have to endure this and wish I could help you get past these gate keepers.

The current version of the SoC doesn't require therapy before HRT...

[CelestaT]

   Are you 11 years old or 50?    U.S., Canada, or Ireland?

      Have you been living full time or do you still question your gender?   Do you have other mental health issues?

      I hope you get the idea.

I'm 19, in the U.S.
This question's a little weird. There's other factors that go into whether or not you're living full time than if you're questioning. I know I'm a woman, but this isn't the easiest place to live full time. I'm moving at the end of the Summer, and am fine with living as a male until then.
Depression, ADD, the usual stuff.

[Julie Marie]

Not sure what "the actual psychoanalysis portion of the gender-clinic's program" is.  It sounds like you are at some clinic that describes itself as a "gender clinic"?  Everyone I personally know in the US has sought out a therapist, preferably one well versed in gender identity issues, and begun their therapy there.  And if they didn't like the therapist, they found another one, if they could.

As far as hormones, the new standard is slowly becoming what is often called Trans Hormones - Informed Consent (THInC).  Here's some more information on that: LINK 

Not sure where you live but the fact you are aware certain areas of this country are less than accepting of trans people is good.  Discrimination is how the conformists punish those who don't conform and the first area they do it is in the workplace.  No job, no money.  No money, no power.  No power, no voice.

Still, if you are an out trans person, your chances of being discriminated against are higher than if you are not.  Therapy should not only help you accept yourself and adjust to your new life but it should also help you deal with the adversity you may face.  If you have a good therapist, honesty is the best policy.  A therapist can only help you to the extent to which you are honest.

[Stephe]

The current version of the SoC doesn't require therapy before HRT...

All the doctors I have talked to still want to see a "hormone letter"... Hope this informed consent becomes more of a standard.

[Tazia of the Omineca]

People for some reason don't understand that psychoanalysis is pretty much a dead art and rather ineffective for most people.
Even Neo-Freudian methods aren't recommended by my psychology teacher, she suggests other therapy, but you have to do what you have to do.