Will any therapist do?

[Jasmine96]

So I live in the middle of nowhere in Ohio. I've tried looking up a gender therapist but I could not find one that wasn't over 2 hours away (jeffersonville, Ohio). However there are some regular therapists around here. Will they do or do I need to find a new place?

[Jade_404]

My situation may be unique, but I went to a therapist near me (not near you- different state) and after a few sessions she referred me to a different one stating that someone else with more "gender" experience would be better for me. Her office stated that they could help with LBGT- issues etc, however when it came down to me asking her directly for an endo referral and GD diagnosis, she referred me to a different place, that is a 2+ hr drive... I guess they did not get what the T in LGBT meant and just stamped it on their advertising documents... 

If you do go to the therapist be sure to ask upfront what their experience with gender dysphoria is, and if they have the ability to refer you to an endo if needed.

-Jade

[amber roskamp]

I would recommend looking for other trans people near(ish) you. Look for ohio based trans groups on facebook and ask them. I have also come across many trans people from Michigan (where I am) that I wthat was just a regular therapist, but she is ould not have met via okcupid lol.  I know many of my friends used a therapist a really good ally to the trans community and she had very good knowledge of trans issues.

If you are worried about people you know seeing joining trans facebook groups you can always start a new facebook. or you can only join closed groups.

[Ms Grace]

It helps that the therapist has had gender experience. But even if not, If they can at least be open minded and sympathetic and willing to learn it shouldn't be a deal breaker. Any therapist that offers you resistance and road blocks from day one is a bad call.

[Jasmine96]

Can non gender therapist get you hormones

[amber roskamp]

Can non gender therapist get you hormones

yes, they can.

[JoanneB]

I was living in rural West Virginia when I needed to take on the trans-beast. My first attempt at finding any sort of support was contacting the local college (40 miles away. dead end basically). That was followed by Psychology Today's Doc Find which has a Gender Issues tick box. Still the closest was some 90 miles away.

The best way to find a therapist that is T-Friendly is through a "Local" support group, or perhaps some county or state LGBT organization. If you want to try looking for a therapist near by, you can always call their office and try to arrange a 5-10 minute phone call with them to discuss your issues and their experience. I haven't called any that weren't open to that.

If you are in the boonies and in search of the HRT CYA letter, your biggest roadblock may be finding an endo or GP willing to take on a trans client. Depending on the Doc, some may want the permission slip written by someone qualified or experienced with GD. Where I was living there was only one, some 100 miles away. Most of my group members used that one or went to Whitman-Walker in DC.

When you get right down to it, any doctor can legally prescribe any drug. The decision to prescribe HRT comes down to their personal feelings and mainly lawyers, I mean Mal-Practice Insurance. "Informed Consent" is generally what it is called. No therapist needed. You're likely not going to find anyone doing that in the boonies. Except perhaps you old family GP.