Do I need to stay in therapy?

[awilliams1701]

I have gotten my letter and have started HRT. Our last 2 sessions felt like a waste of time. She even cut it back to 30 minutes in order to save me money because she said that why should we try to fix something that isn't broke? We're both very happy with my social progress. Unfortunately I'm only in week 2 of HRT and haven't felt any real mental changes yet. My next visit is in a month. Do I need her for the surgery? I'm thinking the next visit could be my last regular visit unless something unexpected happens. Next week I'm supposed to double my HRT dosage. I suspect that anything I need her help with is going to happen in the next month. After that I'm wondering if I should just see her as needed (if at all).

[Ms Grace]

I would suggest you do, but that it doesn't need to be so frequent. There will be things that come up that you may want or need to talk about so it is good to have the support base there. My transition has been going really well but I still go to my shrink every couple of months and likewise a gender counsellor. The more support you can have through this process the better. I'm having a crap time at work at the moment, it has nothing to do with my transition, but I'm really glad thise supports are there!

[Tessa James]

I agree with Grace in that you can save some expense and see her as needed.  It's not just celebrities that keep a therapist on speed dial theses days and you may find that being on HRT will come with some dramatic changes in how you feel.  Sometimes it is way handy to have an objective and professional person to talk with.  Depending on your location you may also need a therapist's letter to make name and gender changes to important documents.  It is certainly your call on how therapeutic your sessions are.

[Cindy]

I agree with Grace and Tessa, I saw my therapist yesterday, the first time in 4 months, and it was great to talk someone about life issues. None of them had much to do with gender, but having a person who is trained in support available is a blessing to be thankful for.

That said we have a strong relationship that we have established on my journey, I trust her and she knows my background. She is very easy to talk to and non judgemental.

[FTMax]

Ditto what others are saying. If you aren't getting much out of the sessions on such a frequent basis, dial back the frequency. I'm not too up on the surgeries you all have to go through and their requirements, but I know I need separate letters from my therapist for HRT, top surgery, bottom surgery, and document changes. So you may need to discuss your future plans with her and outline a plan for getting those needs met.

[kelly_aus]

I saw my therapist for a total of 4 years.. Started off weekly for a bit.. Then every 2 weeks.. Then monthly... Then 3 monthly.. And then I didn't see him for a year. It was at that last appointment back in September that we agreed I no longer had any gender issues and, therefore, no need for him.

[awilliams1701]

TBH I really didn't have a lot of issues to begin with. I'll go to the next visit and ask to push back the next one by 4ish months if nothing comes up. If at that one nothing comes up again, I'll see her on demand rather than scheduled.

I saw my therapist for a total of 4 years.. Started off weekly for a bit.. Then every 2 weeks.. Then monthly... Then 3 monthly.. And then I didn't see him for a year. It was at that last appointment back in September that we agreed I no longer had any gender issues and, therefore, no need for him.

[kelly_aus]

TBH I really didn't have a lot of issues to begin with. I'll go to the next visit and ask to push back the next one by 4ish months if nothing comes up. If at that one nothing comes up again, I'll see her on demand rather than scheduled.

Gender was never a big issue for me, I just had a life's worth of crap I was sick of carrying around.. And I unloaded it all on him..