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Therapists in Central Florida?

Started by RowanTheTurtle, December 27, 2013, 01:15:12 AM

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RowanTheTurtle

Hi, I'm Rowan. I'm new here and this is my first post. I live in central Florida (north Tampa) and I've been having trouble finding a therapist so I can start T. I've been to 2 consultations already (one tried to prescribe me depression meds and the other said he doesn't do letters) and I've had no luck. I've looked up other therapists in the area and I found two but the closest one has like no information anywhere other than the address and phone number. It's literally right down the street from me. Her name is Blossom Paster and I looked everywhere for someone to share their experience with her but nothing. I was wondering if anyone knows anything about her? I already plan on calling her tomorrow. Her and the other one I found, Daylight of Tampa, which also has little information anywhere. I'm hoping one of them takes insurence, because I can't afford it if not. This is becoming very frustrating and disheartening that it's taking so long just to find a therapist. Hopefully something comes through soon.
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Lauren5

First off, I'd like to give you a warm welcome. It's always great to have another brother, one that I feel I need to personally help.

I'm sorry, but there's not really that much around here (lived in the eastern Tampa suburbs for 4 years, currently here and actually about to leave in a few hours,) hence why I didn't come out until moving away to school in Michigan. I wish there was some way that I could help.
Unfortunately, your best bets in the state are probably down in Miami, maybe over in Orlando. They're pretty darn far though. Also, I'm not sure about schools in Florida, but I know some universities, such as Michigan, have a transgender health program in their hospital system that you don't have to attend or work at the university to join. Just maybe something to look into.

It was hard here, as the region is rather anti-LGBT, and coming back home I got a lot of threats and such; I didn't leave home much and rarely went to see anyone I knew. I've lost 3 of my 4 closest friends from high school because of this. Don't let it get you down, keep trying to find a way!
Hey, you've reached Lauren's signature! If you have any questions, want to talk, or just need a shoulder to cry on, leave me a message, and I'll get back to you.
*beep*

Full time: 12/12/13
Started hormones: 26/3/14
FFS: No clue, winter/spring 2014/15 maybe?
SRS: winter/spring 2014/15?
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RowanTheTurtle

Thank you, Willow. I kinda guessed that there wasnt much around here. I regularly attend PFLAG Tampa and they have some resources but the people I was recommended never contacted us back when my mom emailed and called. My friend Miranda goes to a therapist in St. Pete so that might be another option if I can't find anyone closer by. My mom just doesn't want to have to drive 30+ minutes one way to go to appointments, especially since I can't drive myself to them so she'd have to wait for the duration of the appointment, too. But if that's what it takes, I think that we will probably do that.
I'm sorry to hear that your experience here was negative. I've had actually a pretty positive experience. Where I am, it's pretty LGBT friendly. My school principal is an open lesbian and several faculty members are gay or lesbian and there's no issue with that. My teachers are all fine with me and had no objections to calling me Rowan. The school is even letting me graduate in a male gown (dark blue instead of light blue) and they will even call me by Rowan. USF is close by and I'm not sure but they might have something. I'll have to check into that. I hope things are better for you now then they were!
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novumdiex9

Hey! My parents took me to see Dr. David Baker-Hargrove in Orlando about six years ago when I came out as gay (a lot has changed since then, and I was too afraid to talk about gender things). As I can remember he was wonderful and very very nice and I've heard pretty great things about him. I do not see him anymore, and I never saw him for anything trans*-related, but I would consider him. He does therapy over Skype, too. (I'm considering seeing him as I go to college in Savannah and rarely come home to Cocoa Beach-area.) He also doesn't follow that path that some doctors do where you have to complete certain steps before "the letter." So if you're ready, you're ready. (So he says.) I would totally give him a shot, I plan to do so, also.

Here's his website: http://drdavidbakerhargrove.com/

And also, welcome to the site c:

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veritatemfurto

hey Rowan, according to my insurance provider Cigna, there are 53 therapists listed that are qualified for gender/sexuality issues within 25 miles of zip code 33543. I will PM you the list.

I'm over in mouseville, so i can only give you advice for orlando which would be a bit of a drive from tampa. theres a community in your area that is superior to the one that is here nowadays, having been torn apart by unresolvable disagreements of a political nature.
~;{@ Mel @};~

My GRS on 04-14-2015


Of all the things there are to do on this planet, there's only one thing that I must do- Live!
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novumdiex9

Quote from: veritatemfurto on January 18, 2014, 06:40:02 PM
hey Rowan, according to my insurance provider Cigna, there are 53 therapists listed that are qualified for gender/sexuality issues within 25 miles of zip code 33543. I will PM you the list.

I'm over in mouseville, so i can only give you advice for orlando which would be a bit of a drive from tampa. theres a community in your area that is superior to the one that is here nowadays, having been torn apart by unresolvable disagreements of a political nature.

Hi, I'm sorry, slightly off topic: veritatemfurto, how does Cigna fare with trans* stuff?

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veritatemfurto

Quote from: novumdiex9 on January 18, 2014, 09:25:57 PM
Hi, I'm sorry, slightly off topic: veritatemfurto, how does Cigna fare with trans* stuff?
well, for one, my insurance is going to pay for GRS in full... as long as i can make it that long working attractions...

pretty much every insurance agency has some sort of trans inclusive policies and guidelines in place nowadays. its just a matter of getting the companies to buy those plans for their employees... as discussed in the "GRS and Insurance" thread.
~;{@ Mel @};~

My GRS on 04-14-2015


Of all the things there are to do on this planet, there's only one thing that I must do- Live!
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Satinjoy

My therapist is Dr David Bloodgood in Orlando.  Here is my experience with him.

I came in on an HRT referal based on an internet hit.  I was a complete wreck consumed with fear, and ready to give up everything just to get hormones.  The dysphoria had hit critical mass.

David was able to get me out of the fear, out of the closet with my wife (how nice to have a real dresser in the bedroom instead of a hidden place somewhere else for 25 years).  She and my kids had absolutely no idea that I was trans.  And the fear was hitting critical mass.

David helped me navigate those very dangerous waters and was crucial in saving my marriage.  He also was able to get me through my self deception and find out where my core is - who I really am, where I see myself transgender, in an honest way.  Not wise to begin hormones self decieved.  Now all of the dishonesty is out of my life, and although it took a long time for me to tell my wife everything, in the time needed for acceptance it has all come out, the hormones, being transexual, DES, my love for her, everything.

He is able to integrate my religeous needs so that there is no opposition in therapy.  In other words he respects my very strong Christianity.  My relationship to Christ is paramount.

Once it was safe for me mentally to begin estrogen a very accurate hormone letter was written, after a rather lengthy discussion with my excellent doc - Dr Faber in Orlando does HRT and is very sensitive to our special needs.

I have no regrets, I still see David to drive deeper on many levels, I know he would write the SRS letter if I asked him too (don't need it though in my case.  It isn't the right time for me yet, not for a long time.)  I have learned much and living without fear and deception is priceless.  And when fear does come up - due to a long history of childhood mental abuse, and some fear associated with transitioning and loved ones - he helps me get through it.

I am a very happy transwoman, living steath because it fits my professional and family needs, and letting my hair down when I can, but always knowing I am a fulfilled transwoman under whatever presentation I choose in order to meet the needs of others in social settings.  And that is my choice, it may not be yours, and he could take you through whatever scenario you might have, safely.

Finally, the chances of me detransitioning are zero.  I have that much comfort in the choices I have made.

My case is difficult it is not the typical womans soul trapped in a mans body.  There is a lot of male in me still mentally at the higher motivation levels, I race professionally for example, my mind although not fully male is not fully female either, although my body's wiring and responses and needs are entirely female.  He had the wisdom to see through it all, and I am deeply grateful for the results, the hormones, a body and integrated personality that I can finally smile at and say "I love you" to in the mirror (I NEVER could do that before transition).

So this is my experience with Dr David Bloodgood.
Morpheus: This is your last chance. After this, there is no turning back. You take the red pill - the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the little blue pills - you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes

Sh'e took the little blue ones.
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veritatemfurto

Bloodgood, eh? I've only heard Bad things about him, having had friends entire savings for transition wasted by him and not get their letters after months of him milking them.

Baker-Hargrove is getting to be the same way nowadays too, having gotten so big so fast because of the growing mainstream interest and resulting realization that many more people are gender variant than was previously thought. He apparently has a history of getting snippy with several former clients that he's dismissed when his business is called into question or things blow up from big misunderstandings.

But there are a dozen or so more therapists than those two in the area that can provide the same services to trans clients.

The Corrine Drive Counseling Center is a great place to go to, with each therapist there having current and prior experience working with gender issues. Dominique Barrett takes clients without insurance on a sliding scale (as well as out-of-network claims), and Joseph Salg takes clients that have insurance. They are pretty easy going-yet-get to the point, which I like. :) http://www.corrinedrivecounselingcenter.com/

Kim Murphy, LMHC, and Renee Natvig, LCSW, of Life Enrichment Counseling Service, LLC also regularly see Trans clients in both private and at their group sessions called Life In Pink

I've also talked to Lisa Frady, LCSW, and while she may not meet the requirements to fulfill a letter for insurance to cover GRS, she is optimistic and is open to helping clients in the Tavares/Leesburg/Villages area.
~;{@ Mel @};~

My GRS on 04-14-2015


Of all the things there are to do on this planet, there's only one thing that I must do- Live!
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Satinjoy

That is unfortunate.  I can only speak of my own experience, and as you can tell it was enormously helpful.

I am glad you posted all of the other helpful folks. But it is probably good for you to see a favorable review on Bloodgood. 

People have a tendency to click or not click with different therapists.  David helped me a lot.  He continues to do so.

I cannot speak for the experiences of others as I don't know any others.

Thanks.  No criticism here intended of anyone.  Disphoria hurts.

Morpheus: This is your last chance. After this, there is no turning back. You take the red pill - the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the little blue pills - you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes

Sh'e took the little blue ones.
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