Where do I even start?

[ashleygirl]

Hello everyone.  I write this because I am lost.  I don't know where to go and I don't know what to do.  I mean how do I even start transitioning?  Where do I go, who do I see?  I just feel so lost in this process.  And it scares me that I don't know what to do. 

[Northern Star Girl]

Hello everyone.  I write this because I am lost.  I don't know where to go and I don't know what to do.  I mean how do I even start transitioning?  Where do I go, who do I see?  I just feel so lost in this process.  And it scares me that I don't know what to do.

@ashleygirl   
Dear Ashleygirl:
Thank you for sharing your thoughts here.... and writing your interesting posting...
Regarding transitioning you will want to take some time and read the various posts and threads here on the Forums.  You will find information about transitioning that will be of interest to you.   Also you may soon want to see a gender therapist to help you to sort out all the issues that come with the transitioning journey.

The good news is that because of your posting many of our members are now aware of your arrival here and you can be expecting them to share their thoughts with you relevant to you questions and concerns.

This is the right place for you to be to find out what others have done that may have been in your circumstances.
Be aware that there are a lot of members here that can identify with your situation as you feel free to share it.

Please allow me to warmly WELCOME you to Susan's Place. 
You will find this a safe and friendly place to share with others  and to read about others similar trials, tribulations, and successes.
It is nice that you had signed up so you can share with others and involve yourself with some give and take with other like-minded members.  When frustrated or if you have successes you can share it here if you wish and receive support from others and offer support to others. ....
***It's a very good chance that you might find that you will make some new friends here. 

Please come in and continue to be involved at your own pace. 
I have included Important LINKS that will tell you about Susan's Place.  Included there is information about the site that will help you navigate around and best utilize the features here.   
Please look closely at the LINKS in RED, answers are there to many questions that new members ask.

Again, Welcome to Susan's Place.
Danielle

Here are some links to the site rules and stuff that all new members should be familiar with:

Things that you should read

Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By	Standard Terms & Definitions	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)	Cautionary Note
Reputation rules	News posting & quoting guidelines	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy	Membership Agreement

[Sonja]

Hello everyone.  I write this because I am lost.  I don't know where to go and I don't know what to do.  I mean how do I even start transitioning?  Where do I go, who do I see?  I just feel so lost in this process.  And it scares me that I don't know what to do.

@ashleygirl - Hi Ashley,  It would be really help to know a bit about you, some people do a lot to transition some don't do much at all and all are happy. How much you feel you need to change really comes down to you and where you want to be in the future.

Posting a more detailed description of yourself and your circumstances in the introduction thread would be the best way to ask for peoples help. But you could just add more detail in this thread if you want.

Take care,

Sonja.

[DawnOday]

There are two places I recommend. A gender therapist so you can talk it out with someone who understands and will point you in the right direction. Number two is trying to find a local support group. Both were invaluable to me. I had not met any transgender people, but that soon ended and now I attend two different ones. It's just nice hanging out with people like us. They are also good sources for finding doctors, legal issues like changing your name, HIV, Hepatitis etc. I might be able to help you find someone near by.

[Northern Star Girl]

@ashleygirl 
Oh, and another thing AshleyGirl:
Just before I let you have your posting back so that other members can comment on your posted thoughts.....   
...would you please stop by the  Introductions Forum  to tell more members about yourself and your arrival here on the Forums.  You can include some brief information about yourself so other like-minded members will be able to share with you, and you with them.

If you are one of our younger members, please stop by the Youth Introductions Forum

Enjoy your time here on the Forums, I trust that you will find this an enjoyable and informative experience.
Best wishes to you.... and again, Welcome to Susan's Place
Danielle

[KathyLauren]

Hi, Ashley.  Welcome to the forum.

The usual place to start is with talking to a gender therapist.  So, how do you find one?  One way would be to contact an LGBT support group in your area.  Almost every major centre has some kind of LGBT advocacy group.  They will most likely have a list of gender therapists.

They might also be able to help you find a support group specifically for trans people.  A support group is a great way to meet people like yourself, who are in similar positions, or who have been there recently and can help you.  Support group members will be able to tell you which therapists are good.

The goal of gender therapy is to help you figure out who you are, and what your wants, needs, and goals are.  The therapist will be able to refer you to a doctor/endocrinologist for hormones, should you decide to pursue that route, and to other specialists as necessary.

Good luck on your journey.

[Janes Groove]

I don't mean to be glib, but you must start where we all started.

At the beginning.

For you, since your are having feelings of fear, being lost and do I detect a bit of indecision?  For you the essential first step I would recommend is to see a Gender Therapist.  You must sort out your feelings and it is 100% easier to do with the help of a 3rd party viewpoint who can look at your situation and advise you from a removed distance.  A clinical and independent viewpoint is essential. 

Also, a good Gender Therapist can point you to the order in which things are recommended to be done.  One can do things out of order and regret not doing them in a more traditional order at a later point.

It's a very long process, but as the old saying goes.  "How do you eat a whole elephant?  One bite at a time."