First Therapy Appt was a bust

[Jenniferinutah]

Hi Everyone,
So i went to my first therapy appointment today and the therapist had absolutely zero experiance with transgender issues( they do advertise as having exp.) She basically had lots of empathy for me as i cried my heart out but had no background as how to approach it. So now i have to find a  new therapist and wait a month till they have an opening. The hard part is finding one that accepts my insurance. If anyone knows of a good tg therapist in Utah let me know.
Jenn 

[Ltl89]

Sorry to hear this, though I am glad your therapist was sympathetic.   I'm not in Utah and have no experience there, but Laura's playground has a list of therapist that are sympathetic.  I can't verify them and know the list is incomplete, but maybe it will help you find someone else.  I found mine on here and they were then recommended by a friend, so maybe it will work out for you to.  Good luck!

http://www.lauras-playground.com/gender_therapists.htm

Dr. Will Higashi
4667 South 2330 East
Salt Lake City, UT. 84117
Phone : (801) 277-8025

Colette Malan, LCSW, MSW
Allen Therapy Associates
3670 Quincy Ave., #101
Ogden, UT. 84403
Phone : (801) 334-7217

Daniel Rapp, M.D.
1414 East 4500 South Holliday, Suite 4
Salt Lake City, UT. 84117
Phone : (801) 272-3448

LeAnn Jones, LCSW
1615 S. State Street
Salt Lake City, UT. 84115
Phone : (801) 467-2072
Email : ljones@slcbodymindfitness.com

Terri Busch, LCSW
1355 South 1100 East
Salt Lake City, UT. 84105
Phone : (801) 487-0630
Phone : (801) 957-4705

C. Kai Medina-Martinez, LCSW
Director LGBT Resource Center
University of Utah
Olpin Student Union, RM 409
200 South Central Campus Drive
Salt Lake City, UT. 84112
Phone : (801) 556-7762
Email : c.kaimedinamartinez@gmail.com

[Jessica Merriman]

Go to Psychology Today. On find therapist put "Utah". The on the left hand column go to gender issues. Select transgender. There are 20+pages of Therapist's available. Hope this helps.

[Ms Grace]

...the therapist had absolutely zero experiance with transgender issues (they do advertise as having exp.) She basically had lots of empathy for me as i cried my heart out but had no background as how to approach it.

Isn't that highly misleading advertising? They pretty much took your money for nothing. I'm really sorry to hear you had that experience; the first counsellor I ever spoke to had no trans experience but at least she wasn't claiming to have it, she referred me to someone who unfortunately didn't have any either but at least he referred me to someone who did. That was 1989 so it was kind of understandable, a shame the problem persists some twenty years later. Best of luck with your next appointment.

[JamesG]

Should a said on your way out,  "Oh, well... would you mind writing me a referral to an endocrinologist? Here I filled one out for you ahead of time. Thankyouverymuch." 

Couldn't hurt to try... 

[Stochastic]

Go to Psychology Today. On find therapist put "Utah". The on the left hand column go to gender issues. Select transgender. There are 20+pages of Therapist's available. Hope this helps.

Jenn - I am so sorry to hear about your experience. It takes a lot to have the courage to first find a therapist and then to open up about your life. It is good to read that your experience is not going to deter you in finding another therapist.

I found mine through Psychology Today, but it took a lot background work to find the right fit. It is helpful to talk to the therapist by phone. I probably made a dozen phone calls. Those that were not responsive were cut from my list. It amazes me how people can stay in business when they do not return calls. Demand certainly must exceed supply (at least in my area). Also when I called, I ask them a couple of questions about transgender topics, number of patients treated, etc. It was very easy to sort out those that could not provide a response to the very basic of questions. Others I could tell by talking to them that they would not be the right fit.

[Amy1988]

Hi Everyone,
So i went to my first therapy appointment today and the therapist had absolutely zero experiance with transgender issues( they do advertise as having exp.) She basically had lots of empathy for me as i cried my heart out but had no background as how to approach it. So now i have to find a  new therapist and wait a month till they have an opening. The hard part is finding one that accepts my insurance. If anyone knows of a good tg therapist in Utah let me know.
Jenn 

But of course she still charged you didn't she.  This is exactly why I won't waste my time with therapy.  Most don't have a clue about all this; will string you a long taking your money and in the end won't help you anyway. 

[JamesG]

They are the 'gatekeepers' to official recognition and approval.

[Umiko]

i found my therapist on psychology.com and he is great. what i did was i went through the list and look at what areas of sexuality they specialize in. i just got lucky to find one in my area and that actually has experience

[Elainagirl59]

Hi Jenn,

Have you approached the Utah Pride Center?  They have contact with affirming providers.  There is also an adult
support group.  You have to do an intake before attending the group.  If you are interested call:  801.539.8800
and ask for support with Transgender issues. 

Here is a list of Mental Healthcare Providers compiled by local trans* people:

■Hilary Madsen, LCSW, 801-696-3166
■JC Graham, LCSW, 801-369-3332, Mount Nebo Therapy – Orem and Payson area
■JD Gill,801-587-3211
■Jerry Buie, LCSW, 801-595-0666, 124 South 400 East, Suite 230
■Kai Martinez, LCSW, 801-556-7762
■Le Ann Jones, LCSW, 801-556-7638
■Lee Beckstead, PhD, Psychologist, 801-581-0422, Aspen Grove Counseling, 1400 South Foothill Drive, Ste 24, SLC 84108
■Mark Malan, PhD, MPH, ACS, 801-334-8583, 2510 Washington Blvd. Ogden, Utah, USA 84401
■Peggy A. Muench, PhD, Psychologist, 801-234-0613, 313 East 1200 South Ste 104, Orem, UT 84058
■Shaun D Demers, APRN, 801-597-5686, 231 East 400 South, SLC, 84111
■Terri Busch, LCSW, 801-264-9048, 4055 South 700 East, SLC, 84107


Feel free to contact me here on Susan's.  I am in Salt Lake.

Best Wishes,
Elaina

[Jenniferinutah]

Thank You all for your responses. Looks like i have more phone work to do! I will check out the pride center as well. Thanx Elaine!
Jenn