I scheduled a therapists appointment! Anything I should do to prepare?

[Karen345]

So, a month from now I get to see a couple of old therapists I saw for other issues (first a psychiatrist and then a social worker). I plan to talk to them about my gender issues.

Any idea what I should do to prepare? I mean, I've kind of got a written biography of what lead me to this point, but I'm trying to think of anything else I should do.

[Dread_Faery]

It's good to know what you want to say, therapists can side track you by focussing on things that may not be relevant to what you want to talk about.

[amber roskamp]

there is going to be lots of paper work and stuff in your first interview. there is nothing you should prepare yourself for imo. a good therapist mostly just listens and ask a few questions here and there. My therapist was very affirming and let me lead the conversation. Just be very open and honest, gate keeping isn't common nowadays so you shouldn't have to worry about that. the therapist is there to help you work through your feelings and emotions. to help you understand yourself better. It is actually a very rewarding experience.

I was really nervous before mine before hand and afterwards I felt so good about everything.

congrats on taking such a big step!!!

[suzifrommd]

Any idea what I should do to prepare? I mean, I've kind of got a written biography of what lead me to this point, but I'm trying to think of anything else I should do.

Probably way more than most people do.

My only suggestion is not to expect too much. It's a marathon not a sprint.

[Jessika]

I had my 2nd session yesterday.

My first one ( a week prior), I went in with no paperwork, natta, just myself.

When I got there the receptionist was very nice. I was in Male mode just shorts, shirt and flip flops (My toes still had the French tips)

When my session started the first thing my Therapist made sure was that my name Jessika was with a k and not a c. I smiled and said yes.
That entire session was about her getting to know who I am, background, everything. You can probably expect that if not done already.
She dug a little deeper into my feelings ect and I must say that I was not nervous at all and I had no problem telling her things that only I knew for most of my life.

That first session lasted 50 mins and I drove home relieved and enlightened.

Yesterdays visit you can read more about here: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,176520.0.html

Just be yourself, Be honest and don't rush things.

You'll do great! 

Jess

[Karen345]

I know them from before, I talked to them after a bad breakup a bit back and for help with depression in general. It's weird thinking about being in male or female mode though...

And thinking of myself with different names feels really weird. I didn't actually have a problem with my name to be honest, it was just a sound that signified me, not a gender definer. I kinda chose Karen out of a hat.

I really wish mom had gotten back to me on the whole name thing. Way back when, when I first came out to her I asked her for a name because I guessed that way it would feel more real or connected to me or something.

I guess I thought that transitioning would be about getting more in touch with a part of me I was hiding, adding to my identity, not modifying it...

Sorry, I guess this is stuff I should be talking about with them... in a month...XD

[Taka]

huh? no, you can talk about that stuff here too.
i also feel like transitioning really should be about becoming yourself. shedding any fake traits you've created for protection, and learning to use all the hidden traits that are a real part of you. but mostly becoming yourself. not that you aren't already, but being able to feel it so deeply that the feeling of always having to pretend disappears.

the only thing you need to prepare for, is telling that you're transgender and feel like you need to transition (if that's what you need).
the therapist should have an idea about how to go from there.
knowing yourself is great, but not necessary. i'm sure many therapists have great fun in figuring out a patient. getting one who already knows themselves seems to almost put them off a little.

[Jill F]

Be honest with yourself.  You need to be completely honest with the person that you are paying to give you the help you truly need, and you cannot do that if you are not being honest with yourself.

[Karen345]

Be honest with yourself.  You need to be completely honest with the person that you are paying to give you the help you truly need, and you cannot do that if you are not being honest with yourself.

Man... I really need to reach out to people and do more to help others, I go on streaks that are way, way too selfish...

As for being trans and honest, let's see... I guess the bombshell is that I am physically attracted to the idea of being female, but I'm not convinced that's all of it.

I do feel male sometimes and I wonder if I might find something I really miss about that if I decide to go full hog MTF.

I've had the feeling of wanting to be a girl on and off with varying intensities ranging from a feeling of "Meh" to mildly injuring myself in pursuit of feminine traits.

I do feel worried about losing the ability to have children even though I can sperm bank and stuff... it's a technological problem, but it's an annoying one. I don't even know if I want kids, but I want the option of biological children, you know? Thank god I lean MTF instead of FTM and the gametes I produce have been documented to be usable after 28 years of freezing.

I really really worry about coming out... I already came out as bisexual and people barely cared, but I don't really know how people will react to me being trans.

As much as I hate to admit it, it took me ages to address the first trans man I met as "he" and I met him after he had already started transitioning. Some part of my brain just reads genetic males as male and genetic females as female. It's harder with faces.

I have a beard right now partly out of laziness, partly out of my terrible skin inflicting acne-ingrown hair combos when I shave (recent results from waxing have been mixed, more study is needed).

How's that?

[amber roskamp]

I think that is really good your therapist should be able to help clarify those feelings, but there will always be a certain amount of doubt up until the moment you start to get the results you want. so I can tell you that much of what you said is stuff that I have felt and still feel. I actually really relate to that post. just be really open with him. I told my therapist that I am not 100% sure if I identify as female or non binary trans feminine and I am about to start working on my letter that recommends hormone therapy so I wouldn't worry to much.

[Rachelicious]

What to do? Make sure you watch The Matrix. Especially that scene with the red pill and the bluepill 

[Karen345]

What to do? Make sure you watch The Matrix. Especially that scene with the red pill and the bluepill 

An interesting suggestion considering the Wachowski's situation.

Sadly I fear even Keanu Reves can't solve all the problems in the world.

[Rachelicious]

An interesting suggestion considering the Wachowski's situation.

Oh, that was the idea. It's an overt reference, I know. There's so much hidden between the lines.