How to ask if a Dr does informed consent?

[Sam-]

Is it endocrinologists I would call? And what would I say on the phone?

Finally saw a therapist today and it turns out she knows nothing at all about trans issues despite what the website said sooo.. Wanna get ->-bleeped-<- done right this time.

Also, I dont have a pcp but should I get one and bring up this issue or will that not be helpful in moving forward?

Thanks in advance

[Bombadil]

Hey Sam, that's too bad your therapist doesn't know anything. Are you trying to start testosterone? If so, an endocrinologist is the right place to start. I don't know where you live but is there any kind of gender clinics near you? they might be able to steer you to a trans* friendly doctor. I see an endo but she is also acting as my GP. She does informed consent. That's a pretty easy thing to find out. You should be able to ask that over the phone before even coming in.  If there is no gender clinic to help point you towards a doctor, then call or email and ask if they treat trans* patients and if they do informed consent. I hope that helps a bit.

[Bimmer Guy]

Is it endocrinologists I would call? And what would I say on the phone?

Finally saw a therapist today and it turns out she knows nothing at all about trans issues despite what the website said sooo.. Wanna get ->-bleeped-<- done right this time.

Also, I dont have a pcp but should I get one and bring up this issue or will that not be helpful in moving forward?

Thanks in advance

I would get a gender therapist and go from there (especially since you don't have a PCP).  A qualified gender therapist should also know of the trans* resources in the community.  They should be able to assist you in getting to the right people to get what you need. 

I want to ask, was this a therapist a person who advertised on Psychology Today?  It seems to me that when therapists are "checking off" off boxes on their ad and they are clicking gay, lesbian, bisexual, they just click the transsexual button as well.  Irritates me when I hear of trans* people having this experience.  I also see a lot of members on here suggesting people look on Psychology Today for a gender therapist, which concerns me for this reason.  Always ask when you call if the person has experience before making an appointment.  But anyway...

Check these out:

https://www.susans.org/Healthcare/Therapists_and_Counselors/USA/

http://www.wpath.org/uploaded_files/140/custom/find_a_provider.cfm?CFID=7219042&CFTOKEN=e3b11cc27467601e-47844F6A-4040-CF6F-AD7C0165F4E97F94&jsessionid=8430ec70e2ee0d8ac66d3551d674e3618704

Good luck.

[Jaded Jade]

What I find myself wondering is if they claim to offer help with trans-issues, but know nothing about them, do they expect to get paid? 

And if they do, haven't they failed to deliver the agreed upon service?


- JJ

[Bimmer Guy]

What I find myself wondering is if they claim to offer help with trans-issues, but know nothing about them, do they expect to get paid? 

And if they do, haven't they failed to deliver the agreed upon service?


- JJ

Well, what I am suggesting is that when it comes to that site specifically, they don't really think it through, they just check off the box (it is under "client focus").  There are a ton and ton of boxes on those ads and they just click through them.  In fact, I am a friend with a psychologist and I asked her about that box being checked on her ad.  She was surprised and actually contacted them to have it removed.  She didn't think she checked that box and I suppose it could have been their mistake.  Most gender therapists will say in their "write up", that they are gender therapists/treat people with gender concerns.

Google psychology today and look for a therapist in your area.  You will see what I am talking about.

I think you come up with an excellent point, if someone advertises that they have a certain "client focus" in an ad, then they should be able to do that work.  The expectation when you first go to a therapist is that they may or may not meet your needs (just like any other medical providers...you may get referred to a dermatologist when you see your PCP, for example).  BUT, I would suggest that it could be argued when it came to the insurance company if they advertise themselves as working with a population/diagnostic focus, and tell you in the first visit that they don't.  It probably wouldn't be worth the fight, though.  Really a therapist should ask on the telephone what you are looking for before they schedule an appointment with you.  Why waste everyone's time (and the client's money)?

Sorry for the rant, but I have seen this happen to more than one person when it comes to that particular site.  Also, they have "transsexual" under the Sexuality category (not just under client focus) <eyeroll>

[FTMax]

I found the closest LGBTQ clinic and called and spoke to someone about their HRT process. My therapist is online based and I wanted to be sure they would accept her referral. They told me that I would not need a referral because they followed informed consent.

I would recommend looking up friendly doctors or clinics nearest to you, and if those aren't geographically close enough to be a comfortable regular trip for checkups, ask them if they can refer you to someone closer that would be able to help you.

[aleon515]

I'm not sure some of them know that that's what they do. Mine does not use the term (and wonder if she knows it). But essentially it what's I got. The only thing that my doctor is very concerned re: the patient has adequate social support (therapist, support group, friends, girl/boy friend, family) but not where they get the support. She went what side effects and so on I could get.

--Jay

[Sam-]

Yes, psychology today is where I found her 

Guess I start emailing soon. Thanks for mentioning them not even realizing informed consent is what they're doing, I won't use that term I'll start by just asking if they treat transgender patients. And I'll look up an lgbtq clinic - I'm in a suburb of Detroit, so I'm sure Detroit has something but I dont have a car and my family and in laws aren't big on driving into the cityat all ..