Therpist

[ameliato]

Hi all,

So I'm finally seeing a therapist next week. Nervous and excited for many reasons. Do I just come out and tell her I'm fairly sure I'm transgender in first appointment and or take time and work my way into it? I feel like I could just blurt out a million things but not sure exactly how to go about it.

I'm in Ontario if that makes a difference.

Thanks for any suggestions or advice.

Amelia

[angie]

as I've only seen a therapist about 2 months myself the best advice I can give you is just go be yourself everything else will come natural

[stephaniec]

do what your there to do

[Alexis2107]

What I found in general, is talking to those in the medical field is easy.  From therapist, to my laser zapper doctor, and my primary care provider... all have been friendly... hope that ends up being the case for you.  My therapist had a form online for me to fill out, which we went over during my session.... I found this method a lot easier than just... her asking, me answering...because I could sit there and think in thought and answer and write in detail my answers.  Congrats on taking your first steps!

[CrissyMarie]

When I first went in my therapist asked why was I there.  I said well all my life I felt and wanted to be female and I have a difficult time identifying what I am as I didn't feel or think I was a guy or girl.  I also explained my childhood, the feelings and dressing and was trying to see if I was trans or what.  I knew I sorta wanted to transition at first but wanted her opinion if I was indeed trans and had gender dysphoria.  She never gave me the answer, I finally got fed up and saw the light that I was and told her I was and was ready to transition.  That took like 5 sessions to finally reach that point.  So do what feels right to you at your own pace, but just make sure you go in with a clear and open mind and come to your own acceptance of who you are when you are ready.  Just a piece of advise, pay attention that they don't keep stringing you along for like a year just to keep getting your money.  Eventually YOU will have to say straight up what you want because as far as I know, they can't tell you what choice to make or who you are.  Good luck Hun.

[Steph34]

Every therapist is unique, so it is difficult to say anything in general. I should know, having seen 4 of them. Some of them can be very judgmental and condescending, especially if they think their client is not feminine enough. Others can try to build emotional bonds to justify a higher price, or talk really slow to increase the number of appointments for their own personal gain. Having to admit to past uncertainty about my gender made it hard to show my true self to a therapist; I was so accustomed to self-denial to hide myself from others who might disapprove, and that held me back somewhat. My only advice is therefore to be your most effeminate self; the rest will follow. It is very difficult for a gender therapist to be unsupportive of medical needs when the client already presents as convincingly transgendered.

[LilDevilOfPrada]

I saw one for 3 years and here is my advice be you don't fake, don't pretend just be you. Not sure if I was meant to stop but i got all my letters and I am pretty stable at the moment so hey I stopped.

In south Africa I was required to see 2 therapists for evaluation before I was allowed HRT.

[ameliato]

Well, after 2 sessions of dealing with other things I finally built the courage up and told my therapist "I think I'm Transgender. She didn't seem very shocked, and congratulated me on being brave enough to share it with her.

She was very supportive and caring with her words, reminding me that it's not a problem, and that it doesn't make me flawed, or a bad person. Hearing this from her was very reassuring and put me at ease. When I told her I didn't think transition was possible, she gave me every reason to think it is and that it might be the right choice.

Regardless of all the details of the session and whatever happens in the future, I feel so liberated that I have finally told someone who the real me is. It's almost like now the valve is open and the water is flowing and I want to tell everyone, but I know that probably isn't the best idea until I have done some more sessions to figure things out and what exactly this all means.

Thank you to anyone who commented on this post and everyone who has ever posted here. Knowing we are not alone, not freaks, and as one person put it, "don't eat babies" has helped me finally embrace my real me.

Amelia