First contact with a therapist...

[jettsetter]

I am reaching out to several local therapists for my first consultation. I have two therapists that state they specialize in "Transsexual" issues. One in particular is very active in the local community and mentions that she has several past and current Transgender clients and welcomes the idea of working with someone new. The only downside to her is distance of 90 miles, and she believes that patients of hers should get involved with local groups. I consider myself more of a private person and I'm not as keen to the idea of group therapy.

The second therapist is a psychologist, and she has some limited direct experience with Transgender cliental, but is eager to work with new clients. The positive I see with her is she is 4 miles away, and can write a recommendation letter for SRS in the future.

I am reaching out to both these therapists right now, what should I ask of them? How do I best differentiate between the two? Is it appropriate to express my goals and concerns with them before hand to see how they respond? Or do I wait to do so in person during my first consultation? Do I only mention the fact that I self identify as Transgender to start?

Bree

[stephaniec]

just be honest and tell them what you want from therapy. Its  pretty difficult to tell who's going to be best for you  without going through therapy with them. I've had a lot of therapy and been lucky to have good therapists , but I also had an idiot , but you just can't tell until you experience the therapy.

[jettsetter]

stephaniec - thank you for your advice, I will use a direct approach and communicate my thoughts beforehand with a therapist.


Bree

[JoanneB]

Group therapy and TG Support groups are two different animals. The absolute best therapy I ever got has come from a couple of angels in my "local" TG support group, some 90 miles away. And this is coming from a formerly very private, shy introvert certified nerd. The only therapist I had available at that time was a T friendly generalist a couple of my group members was seeing and even once or twice came to a meeting. (BTW-This was the boonies of western MD). I had a ton of baggage from being trans that I wanted to shed as well as learn better ways to handle my life. Transitioning was not on my agenda. This person was essentially a "Rubber Stamper". If you were stable, you got your CYA letter for HRT. As far as knowing what runs trans peoples emotions, nada.

I have since moved back into the NYC area and now see a for real gender therapist. There is a difference.  My goal for therapy, hell even this "Journey", has been to become one whole healthy happy person. The generalist helped a lot. The specialist even more considering how totally complicated and turned upside down over and over my life has been these past few years. We probably spend more time on not directly trans stuff.

[jettsetter]

Group therapy and TG Support groups are two different animals. The absolute best therapy I ever got has come from a couple of angels in my "local" TG support group, some 90 miles away. And this is coming from a formerly very private, shy introvert certified nerd. The only therapist I had available at that time was a T friendly generalist a couple of my group members was seeing and even once or twice came to a meeting. (BTW-This was the boonies of western MD). I had a ton of baggage from being trans that I wanted to shed as well as learn better ways to handle my life. Transitioning was not on my agenda. This person was essentially a "Rubber Stamper". If you were stable, you got your CYA letter for HRT. As far as knowing what runs trans peoples emotions, nada.

I have since moved back into the NYC area and now see a for real gender therapist. There is a difference.  My goal for therapy, hell even this "Journey", has been to become one whole healthy happy person. The generalist helped a lot. The specialist even more considering how totally complicated and turned upside down over and over my life has been these past few years. We probably spend more time on not directly trans stuff.

As I progress through therapy, my hope is that some of my insecurities will diminish. I can see the virtue in connecting with others who are going through similar circumstances in a group environment. I just can't see jumping right into it. I need to work through it. Add it to another topic to discuss with a therapist.