Y'know, what seems to be needed, is for someone from this community to get a degree in psychology, and then to start pushing people thru to transition. Their liability would be extremely low, because very, very few ever have any regret. Those that are unsure seem to turn back on their own.
I'd like to at least see a situation where a therapist has a set number of sessions to review a person, before they have to push them thru or refer them for another limited number of sessions. There should be exacting questions that cut to the chase. This would put pressure on clinicians from the insurance companies to s&%$ or get off the pot. Presently, a therapist or clinician can sit on someone indefinitely. This would limit the financial liability of the insurance carriers and the patient. It would effectively remove the bottleneck.
Since just about anyone with half a brain can find out from someone else at this point, how to pass thru the mental health gauntlet, then the system should simply recognize that fact and adjust to it. A person could get their paperwork sooner, and then begin saving money for the other things like FFS or SRS, that actually help a person to adapt to their chosen role.
The emphasis needs to move from someone proving themselves, to helping the patient become happier and thus more productive. Eventually, the SOC would sort of just fade away like a lot of rules that lose their function. I can tell you this. The number of people that transition, if you removed all of the hardships, would double or quadruple. Would that come with more risk? Probably. But a risk so small, that it is warranted.
Until then, all that you can do, is grit your teeth and bear it. Realize that you are in charge of the situation. You have to be rational at all costs. Being overly emotional, even though you feel it is warranted, might get you further obfuscated. A lot of clinicians are stoically rational, and will expect you to be also to get their stamp of approval.
