Getting in contact with a transgender therapist - What to expect

[Rainbow]

Hi, I'm new here! Thanks for taking my situation into consideration. I'm a huge novice when it comes to this.

I have been thinking about seeing a gender therapist for quite some time. However, the closest therapists are all over 2 hours away. I have found a therapist that I think I would be comfortable with that offers in office and online sessions. I was wondering if anyone has ever participated in online therapy or knows how it would work. Do therapists ever offer free consultations to let them get to know you and your situation to find out if the fit would be right? What should I say in an email to said therapist? I have been thinking about emailing for months but seem to be overcome by nerves every time! I see this post as the first step. Thanks for being understanding and for any replies or advice you may have for me.

[Devlyn]

Hi, welcome to Susan's Place! There are folks here who do Skype sessions with their therapists, hopefully they'll stop by to share their experiences with you. See you around the site, hugs, Devlyn

[Robert Scott]

When I called to set up an appointment with my gender therapist -- she asked what I was looking for ... she told me her qualifications and what she could offer .... she said we would have an initial consultation at a reduced rate and if after that it didn't seem to fit then we would go our separate ways.

[JoanneB]

When I was therapist shopping I found that if I contacted them to arrange a brief, ie: 5 minute or so, call just to run through some questions was a good start at screening. At the time I was living in rural WV with the closest, for real, gender therapists being 3 hours away between Pittsburgh, DC, or Baltimore. THe closest TG group was 90 miles away and well worth the trip

[Jennifer Snowskier]

Hi Rainbow,

All of my contact with my Psychiatrist has been by Skype. This is due to me living about 5 or 6 hours drive away from his practice which is in Wollongong, (Australia). It would mean an overnight stay for me. Also, as far as I know, he is the closest Psychiatrist who deals in gender issues to where I live.

He has been very good, he diagnosed me with Gender Dysphoria at the first meeting. It may have been that I had been self medicating HRT for 18 months before that influenced a quick result. (Please DO NOT self medicate - it is very DANGEROUS - as I found out). He sent a letter to my GP who is supervising my progress, (blood tests, etc..) and I started on (Official) HRT soon after.

At the last Skype interview he said that he supports me in GRS and to find a surgeon and they would start swapping letters. I was stunned because I thought that I would have a massive hurdle to get over but he said,"I have diagnosed you with Gender Dysphoria and you know what you want." I had been doing a lot of research on HRT, GRS, transitioning, the pro's and con's and the potential problems I may experience. Also I have been fairly open about transitioning to many people in my area. (I like this area and I am not shifting because of transitioning). I believe that these factors may have also influenced his decision to support me.

Also I have been seeing a Psychologist/Counselor who deals in gender issues in Canberra. Those sessions have been face to face and very good.

As for having the sessions on Skype, it is a bit strange but you can see each other and it is very much like a normal conversation. He was happy with doing it that way and I certainly was. I don't know what the situation is where you live, (America?), however technology is spreading and becoming more usual every day.  There should not be a problem.

Do not worry about the possible reaction of the "Health Professionals", it is their job, particularly if they are dealing in gender issues. If they give you a hard time by becoming moralistic, etc.. go elsewhere. If you are not comfortable with their approach, find another. You are the one you have to look after. I am in the process of deciding whether or not to interview a GRS Surgeon in Sydney, (there is only one) so this is good advice to myself as well.

I hope this is of some use to you and sorry for being a bit rambly.

Good luck and remember, its just another step on the journey

Jen

[King Malachite]

In my personal experience with an onlnie gender therapist, I did not get a free consultation.  I just called her and told her about my gender issues and she set a date for us to Skype.  When I first emailed her, I just asked about payment options.  You should ask the most basic important questions that's on your mind and try to get it all in one email so you have have to keep going back and forth.

[Jean24]

Hi guys I'm new too. I'm currently seeing a general therapist and am about to see someone who specializes in gender issues down at the LGBT center. Am I going about this the right way?

[Ltl89]

Hi guys I'm new too. I'm currently seeing a general therapist and am about to see someone who specializes in gender issues down at the LGBT center. Am I going about this the right way?

If you seeing a gender therapist for gender issues, that sounds like a good plan.

[Eva Marie]

One thing to think about ahead of time is to have an idea of what you want to get out of the therapy, because the therapist will most likely ask you that question. It guides them in their approach  to your treatment and it helps reduce wasted time and effort.

In my case i wanted to know where the therapist saw me heading in the future and i wanted to know what i could do to manage my situation. When she popped that question i was ready.

[Jean24]

If you seeing a gender therapist for gender issues, that sounds like a good plan.

I'm waiting to be called up by the gender therapist from the local LGBT center to fill out some papers before I can start therapy. I'm getting anxious though because I work a lot and I don't feel that I'm making any progress. I guess I will just go back down there and see what's up.