4th therapy session, XY chromosomes, costly electrolysis

[BeingSonia]

Hi!

On Saturday, I went to my 4th therapy.
Still 15min but this time with a different therapist for a second opinion.
The main therapist asked me to write a 3 pages essay about why I want/need to be on hormone therapy. I wrote 4 pages.
We went through a couple lines with the new therapist and time was up already...
I'm starting to hate this 15min therapy format.
Kind of pisses me off. It's not useful at all...
My blood work results came back.
Everything is fine and I'm a man. Well, at least this is what the chromosomes say. XY.
Next, I need to see a doctor in the next prefecture to get my genitals checked.
The next prefecture...
'Yes, it's there and working but they are not mine!'
No hormones yet. I still have to talk more with my wife since I need her permission to start them.
The situation sucks a maximum for her but feels like she is starting accepting it more.
She also read my essay.
I also have to finish the counseling with the second therapist.
This is going to take ages with 15 minutes and a couple of line each time...
Did I mention the format pisses me off? I think I did.

Yesterday, I went to get my first real electrolysis session.
Removed about a 1000 hairs in an hour.
This morning, my face is all swallown.
Arg... That sucks.
Also, I've been told the plan I have now, 3000 hairs for 250k JPY (about 2.5k USD) is only the 15% of the beard. I wasn't told that when I signed up.
Still going to cost me more.
I knew that would be expensive but yeah... feels like it's a scam now and can't go anywhere else or continue to pluck my hairs...
Removing the membership fee, creams (that are not options), that means they earn about 60k JPY (about 600 USD) an hour!
I'd better quit my engineering job and invest in becoming an electrologist... (and getting staff to finish the rest of my body)
There are cheaper places for women but I'm denied the courses.
'Male and foreigner? Sorry...'
Has anyone tried the One Touch gizmo
Is it worth it?
I would give it a try on none visible part my body.

I'm so pissed...

Sonia

[Sarah leah]

Fifteen minutes is to short. In my job (Mental health Social worker) we MUST put aside 1 hour to do our job with participants/clients. The reason being the average person spends 20mins chatting, reflecting and talking about their narrative first. Another 30 on the topic and the last part contemplating and clarifying what has been touch upon in the therapy session.

Do you have to see this person? Is there anyone else?

The big issue is this. It takes at least 3+ hours to get things started and begin the process of working towards goals, obtainable outcomes and just building rapport.  It is also a legal matter where I am that we spend 1 hour otherwise we could never get our job done, and you could walk out worse off. 

[BeingSonia]

Hi Sarah!

The 2 therapsists are gender therapists. I never had any experience with other therapists in Japan.
They are the key to hormones, etc.
I've been told that regular therapies were about 40min (depression, etc).
There are other gender clinics with therapists but you count them on the fingers of one hand.
Going to be probably the same.
I've been sent there by another clinic but without therapists.

Sonia

[Sarah leah]

15 mins is just plain unethical. I am sorry they are treaty you this way. I am in the same boat however as I live 5-6 hours from anyone who can do my therapy, and it has took 8 month to get an appointment with a gender therapist. However in one month I get to see one so that is a start.

I think it would be worth mentioning to the person you are seeing that you are concerned that the limited time is not enough and would like them to be prepared in advance (eg) you gave them the letter already, they need to read it and have a few question for you to now take home to reflect on. Then whilst you are there you can concentrate on other aspects. This way when you arrive next time they will have your answers to view in advance ... say 48 hours before your next appointment (you email them it). Otherwise they are failing in their duty of care and need a good kick in the backside for being lazy professionals.

As a health practitioner I go out of my way to be prepared and I assume responsibility for my end of the professional relationship, much as my client must as well, otherwise what is the point of therapy. So be affirmative and be empowered, do not allow others to dictate to you. After all this is for you not them.