Can/Should I Ask My Old Therapist (from a Year Ago) for a Letter?

[KamTheMan]

When I made my hrt appointment with planned parenthood they recommended that I get a therapists letter but said it was okay if I couldn't get it. I was in therapy for about 1.5 years. I stopped seeing her probably a little over a year ago because things got really bad for me. I've moved a couple times since then: I lived in CA when I saw her and now live in Colorado. Probably within six months of leaving therapy I got myself together and started living and working full time as male. I've been actively passing as male for about 3 years, probably socializing as male fore about half that time. I don't really know what's appropriate here. When planned parenthood asked if I was in therapy I told them my history, and they said I should get a letter if I could. But is it okay to contact my old therapist for this? She's not technically a gender therapist, but that's what I mainly saw her for. I have her phone number but don't feel comfortable just calling. I could probably find her email somehow. I don't know what to do. Any suggestions?

[Tysilio]

It doesn't matter a bit that she's not an official gender therapist. That's what you were seeing her for, and you were living as male during the time you were seeing her, so it's entirely natural to ask her. Since you haven't seen her in a while, she may want to do a "checking in" session or two by phone first; you'll probably get maturity points if you suggest this yourself.

As long as she's a licensed psychologist or other legit mental health professional, there should be no problem having her letter accepted.

And it would be fine to call her, I think. She's a professional and will be used to being contacted by former clients -- it happens all the time. Not all MH professionals do email, because there are major privacy/confidentiality issues with that form of communication.

[Spiritwlker]

I would call her office. She may say she isn't comfortable since she isn't currently treating you, but you won't know if you don't ask.

[Bimmer Guy]

I would call her office. She may say she isn't comfortable since she isn't currently treating you, but you won't know if you don't ask.

Yes, she may be willing to write a letter as to her assessment of you and your gender dyphoris back when you are seeing her.  She hopefully will make a caveat saying that she doesn't see why this would have changed since then (or something like that).