First Session the 18th [Update: 4/2/13]

[Ryan B.]

I'm actually stuck on a couple things... one question is asking me about my goals and what I wish to achieve through therapy...  Honestly I just want to start hrt; that's the only reason I'm going to a therapist.  Finding out if I really am trans is not my concern.  I've had years to consider and think things over.  I know what I am... and I'm sure that if the therapist is a good therapist they will make certain I'm truly trans before giving me access to hrt anyways... so basically I'm wondering, should I just be honest on the goals and admit I'm just hoping to start hrt?

So I thought I would post a small update...

My last session (4th session), yesterday, I was officially diagnosed.

I still haven't got my T letter though.  My therapist said she wanted me to consider all my options first.  But I just want my T letter. ><;;

I'm worried that in the end she won't give me my letter, even if I feel that's what route I need to take..

[King Malachite]

First off, congrats for booking your first session of therapy.

This is just my opinion.

I think you should make your intent clear at your first session that you want to start hrt.  A lot of people do that.  I do that.  However, I don't think you should look at therapy as, "just give me my letters".  Take that time to explore yourself more as a person, since being trans isn't the only thing about us.  Then, again, if you don't have that type of time or money, and you really want to focus on getting hrt, then the best thing you can do is tell your therapist your plans.  Let your therapist know your plans and that will let them know that this is something you researched deeply.  At my first therapy session, I let my therapist know what my plans were exactly and I think that helped lay the ground for further sessions.

[Ryan B.]

Thanks

That's my main reason for going to therapy (but was just wondering if I should write that down as my goal on this paperwork).  It's not the only reason I'm going though.  I'm hoping by getting diagnosed it will get my parents off my back as well.  Every time I make a move to further my transition they make the remarks "I wish you'd wait until therapy to do that."  So I'm gonna try to resolve that...  I have a couple other reasons for going as well, though I'm not sure if the therapist I chose will be able to help me or not.

Anyways, I think making my intentions clear in the beginning is a good idea.  I'm not really sure I'm thrilled about the idea of exploring myself further though... I feel like I've spent the last 2-3 years doing just that.

[Robert Scott]

I told my therapist straight up from the beginning I believe I was mental stable that I wanted to start hrt & have surgeries and some couple counseling to help my wife adjust to the change.

She was perfectly fine with that --- she said the first session was going to be some exploring on my coming to terms with being trans and any other mental health issues (I suffer from depression - shocking - but have never seen a therapist about it just take anti depressant).  I had two sessions and the third we were writing my letters together.

[Ryan B.]

Dang; I thought the earliest someone could get on hrt was after 3 months of therapy.  Now I'm even more excited to start therapy. 

[Ryan B.]

So, just thought I might update this thread a bit.  Went to my session today.  Was having anxiety over it throughout the week, just worrying about it... but it wasn't so bad.  It actually felt kinda liberating, even if all we did was just touch on stuff.

My therapist gave me some homework.  Can't say I was expecting that; but if it means moving forward in my transition then I'm happy to do some homework.

[Ryan B.]

So I thought I would post a small update...

My last session (4th session), yesterday, I was officially diagnosed.

I still haven't got my T letter though.  My therapist said she wanted me to consider all my options first.  But I just want my T letter. ><;;

I'm worried that in the end she won't give me my letter, even if I feel that's what route I need to take..