First visit to therapist

[Akb196]

So there is a place close by to where I live that I have been to before that does counseling and therapy, and I've just set up an appointment this coming Tuesday to see someone there. I've only ever been to it once, and that was to get anti-depressants prescribed, never to any of the therapists. They're free, but I'm not sure that they specialize in anything transgender related. I basically want to just tell them how I feel and see if they can point me to someone that may be more specialized towards transgender issues. I'm kind of nervous since I've never been to anything like this before, but really excited about it at the same time. I'm definitely keeping this under the radar from my grandparents. I really don't think that they're going to be too awfully understanding towards it. My mom on the other hand knows about it and has already let me know that she loves me unconditionally which is awesome. I'm hoping if they do point me to someone then I can start seeing them and start working towards hormones, though I'm not sure that I can start them until I move away from this town and 99% of my family. My mom is the only one I've trusted enough to tell out of my whole family... The rest of my family would probably think I'm a disgusting freak or something. Any helpful insight on what kind of things they might ask? Since I've got until Tuesday I'm trying to gather all my thoughts on it so they aren't so jumbled and maybe get a little support from people who have done it before, ha.

[FTMax]

In my experience, they will do most of the question asking on your first appointment. They need to establish rapport and make you feel comfortable being honest with them, so they ask a lot about your background, your day to day life, etc. My advice would be to think about what you would like to gain from the session (or sessions if you decide to continue on) and if they haven't set out a clear path to that by the end of the session, ask about it.

[Akb196]

Thank you for your response . Knowing what to expect helps calm me down about it. I hate when someone asks me a question and I blank out with an "uhhh" look, xD. Happens too often, haha. But either way, that sounds pretty straight forward. It's only a thirty minute session, it's all they had open and the earliest they had so I took it. It won't be so bad if I mainly use the session to ask if there's anybody that specializes in the subject. Don't really think that there are any that are close that are free like that place, though. I'm pretty sure that the only place that has an actual transgender support group/therapist is in Asheville, which is a little ways away and I have to have insurance to sign up as a patient or go to any classes or groups.

[FTMax]

My therapist is online based but she also has an office somewhere in NC and is very affordable. If they don't have anyone that specializes in gender or is willing to work with you through it, let me know and I'll get you her information.

[Akb196]

That sounds amazing, thank you! I'll let you know how it goes Tuesday and go from there.

[Akb196]

I went to the appointment today, and it went amazingly. I told her how I felt and she wants me to start coming regularly to talk about it. Thank god it's a free clinic, haha. I've already scheduled another appointment for next week Thursday, and I absolutely can't wait to go. I think I've already gotten over my nervousness of therapists today, xD. I'm even in a great mood for once!