What does 3 months consist of?

[HeatherR]

I was asked by my doctor to follow WPATH's SOC's of 3 months of therapy sessions...  In this extremely lax statement, is 1 per month satisfactory? As my therapist's schedule and mine together allow for 2 a month, is this not going to satisfy my doctor's request?  I really don't want to do 6 months of therapy at this pace.

[ChelseaAnn]

3 months is actually 12 sessions, once a week. That's what it is for me anyway.

[suzifrommd]

Therapy is NOT a requirement according to the latest version of the Standards of Care (http://www.wpath.org/uploaded_files/140/files/Standards%20of%20Care,%20V7%20Full%20Book.pdf).

Your doctor's information is outdated.

Starting with the last paragraph on page 28:

A mental health screening and/or assessment as outlined above is needed for referral to hormonal and surgical treatments for gender dysphoria. In contrast, psychotherapy—although highly recommended—is not a requirement.

The SOC do not recommend a minimum number of psychotherapy sessions prior to hormone therapy or surgery. The reasons for this are multifaceted (Lev, 2009). First, a minimum number of sessions tends to be construed as a hurdle, which discourages the genuine opportunity for personal growth.

Second, mental health professionals can offer important support to clients throughout all phases of exploration of gender identity, gender expression, and possible transition—not just prior to any possible medical interventions. Third, clients and their psychotherapists differ in their abilities to attain similar goals in a specified time period.