Speaking with a therapist you know personally

[Sierra1224]

I'm from a small city in alberta and there isn't really any therapists nearby that can offer a diagnosis for a Gender Identity Disorder and as you all know i need to be diagnosed with a GID before being allowed to start hormones. There is one psychologist in my city who deals with this topic but I know her, personally. she is the mother of one of my friends. what I'm wondering is, is it inappropriate for therapists to see people they know, is it detrimental in anyway for me to see a therapist who i know outside of therapy or would that be more beneficial with there already being an existing relationship there possibly making things easier? or would it be better just to find a therapist that works online since she's the only one i have the ability to physically go see

[Jessica Merriman]

The only problem I see with using a friend for therapy is what if they do not give you the news or support you accept. Would it end your friendship? If so try to find another one online if need be. 

[suzifrommd]

I'm from a small city in alberta and there isn't really any therapists nearby that can offer a diagnosis for a Gender Identity Disorder and as you all know i need to be diagnosed with a GID before being allowed to start hormones. There is one psychologist in my city who deals with this topic but I know her, personally. she is the mother of one of my friends. what I'm wondering is, is it inappropriate for therapists to see people they know, is it detrimental in anyway for me to see a therapist who i know outside of therapy or would that be more beneficial with there already being an existing relationship there possibly making things easier? or would it be better just to find a therapist that works online since she's the only one i have the ability to physically go see

I got one of my surgery letters from a friend who is a gender therapist. There were no problems. As long this person is competent (otherwise you should see her no matter what your relationship) I would expect it would work just fine.

[Tysilio]

Ethically, it's pretty dicey for therapists to work with people they know socially -- for good reasons. That said, she may be OK with seeing you, given that your relationship with her is through your friend; she would likely want to set some boundaries around interacting with you outside of therapy. It's certainly something I'd expect to discuss with her at the outset -- if she's too casual about how it would work, that would raise red flags for me about her ethics and competence.

I think it would also depend on whether you're looking for short-term therapy with the goal of getting the diagnosis, or for something longer term.

It's worth talking to her, no matter what -- at the very least, she should be able to give you a referral to someone else, and perhaps agree to consult with that person if they need "backup" around gender issues.

Good luck!

[IAmDariaQuinn]

My parents once made me go to my uncle, who was a therapist.  It was really more of a propaganda deal than me actually getting help with issues, because he was more interested in pushing my parents' agenda and getting me to fall into line than he ever was about listening to my problems or helping me work through them.

So, from personal experience, I'd have to say avoid the therapist you know, personally.  There's no guarantee of objectivity.