Qualified Therapist for HRT Evaluation

[Keira]

I was wondering if anyone knows if an RPC (Registered Professional Counsellor) is qualified to evaluate a transgender person to see if they can get hrt. Keep in mind that I live in Canada, so the qualifications may be radically different for RPC's in other countries.

I ask this because I found an RPC in my town, but I don't know if it is worth it to get psychotherapy them for three months or just find someone who does phone/online sessions.

Thanks in advance for any help given,

-Skye

[Jayr]

I got a letter from an online therapist and my endocrinologist told me he wasn't going to accept it.
Had to meet a therapist face to face that was qualified in the province I was in.
Biggest waste of money in my life. Don't make that mistake..
Ask your endo what kind of letter he'll accept first.

I'm from Quebec.

[Keira]

Are the standards of care somewhat flexible depending on where a person lives, or how comfortable a professional feels?

Surely they can't seriously expect me to drive/fly a few hundred miles just for one stupid evaluation...that's just cruelty.

[Keira]

I got a letter from an online therapist and my endocrinologist told me he wasn't going to accept it.
Had to meet a therapist face to face that was qualified in the province I was in.
Biggest waste of money in my life. Don't make that mistake..
Ask your endo what kind of letter he'll accept first.

I'm from Quebec.

Thanks for the heads up.

[Jayr]

Call a bunch of endocronologists around where you live and ask them.
Maybe you'll be luckier than me and find one that's not picky.

My official therapist, the one in Quebec is 2.5 hours away.
I went once face to face and the other sessions were done through skype.

You know what they say;
Gotta do, what you gotta do

[Keira]

I'm thinking that even if I can't get an evaluation by a "fully qualified" therapist, I may just be able to go to a therapist just to make the doctors feel at ease about prescribing me hrt. Besides, I probably do need at least a couple of months of therapy for other issues. After that I could just print off an informed consent sheet and find a willing doctor or endo.

After all, I could just pull out the line that "The wpath standards of care are flexible and not written in stone; they are merely guidelines that are for the best interest of transgender patients".

Contrary to popular belief it doesn't always have to be an endocrinologist that prescribes the hrt, the standards of care (as well as the BC trans health standards) state that any general practitioner can prescribe hrt with the right resources.

[kelly_aus]

Contrary to popular belief it doesn't always have to be an endocrinologist that prescribes the hrt, the standards of care (as well as the BC trans health standards) state that any general practitioner can prescribe hrt with the right resources.

My hormones are monitored by a gynecologist and my GP is happy to provide me with prescriptions if I happen to run short. IIRC, my gyno is a member of WPATH - my therapist certainly is.

[Keira]

You can convince your GP to prescribe them, or you will have to see a psychiatrist. Psychologists' recommendations will not usually be acceptable to a Canadian endocrinologist.

Why is that?

[Keira]

Psychologists, Counselors, Social Workers, et cetera are not part of the medical profession for one and liability is probably another but, then again, I think the mental health profession, and I use the term profession very loosely, is a joke. They miss things, arbitrarily make things up, are susceptible to lobbying, et cetera. It's all highly subjective.

Another thing is that certain provinces mandate who can do what. I wouldn't be surprised if the College of Physicians and Surgeons (the doctors union and lobby) have a large amount to do with it.

Interesting, thanks for the info.

[XchristineX]

I never went to a therapist...I just told my doctor that I want them...
It isnt a requirement for wpath to have a letter...

The patient decides for herself....they are reversible changes...
So if you find our after from first hand experience...you can stop

[Keira]

I never went to a therapist...I just told my doctor that I want them...
It isnt a requirement for wpath to have a letter...

The patient decides for herself....they are reversible changes...
So if you find our after from first hand experience...you can stop

I suppose if the doctor insisted that you see a therapist you could just ask if they would prescribe by informed consent...that way they aren't held responsible at all.

Although...I still do plan on seeing a mental health professional.

[XchristineX]

Oh yes totally Skye...my.doctor had a good talk with me...

Told me all risks...what to expect...what to change.in my life...
Than go do therapy...
But myself...ima do my lasers for a long time...get ffsd...

Than apply to msp to get my grs readyness assessment...
Which is done by the same doctor that gave you HRT...

You see I think the best route is to be hair free fixed teeth..
HRT maintained...and presentable  for the assessment...
That means msp than pays for the psychologist and.psychiatrist
On bc of coz...so by the time all that falls together you can have
Satisfied all wpath requirements...

Just my path...a little aggressive and forward....I'm very sure
Of myself...if your not than go slowly...

[Keira]

Thank you for all your information everyone

I've shifted my priorities, and now I'm seeing a counsellor that specializes in psychodynamic therapy. I feel comfortable talking to him, and he wants me to explore my trans feelings so I can get a bigger picture of where I'm at, who I am, and where I want to go.

So for now I don't have any use for advice about  an assessor for hrt...

But I still want everyone to know that their support was appreciated.