I've done it. I've contacted a counsellor

[Delyth]

I've taken another small step tonight. I've actually taken a step to seeking professional help and support and have emailed a gender counsellor. Hopefully going to speak to someone in the next few days and start addressing what I've been trying to hide from for so long.

[katrinaw]

Yay  good step forward...

Hope all goes well for your 1st visit

Hugs Katy

[Mariah]

Yay, Congrats. It's wonderful you have taken this step forward. It's amazing how difficult it is to take that step, but how much a relief it is to take. I hope all goes well. Good luck and hugs
Mariah

[bernadette]

I see from your profile that you are in Sydney.

NSW Gender Centre was very erratic at replying to emails - I had to ring them up when I wanted my first appointment. That was after not receiving any replies to 2 emails over 3 weeks. This was in late 2012 - so things may be different now. I have also had difficulties with getting answers to emails regarding voice therapists - but again a phone called got an immediate response.

So if they haven't responded do give them a call. They know what its all about, so there is nothing to feel too apprehensive about. Their counsellor at the time was Anthony Carlino and he was excellent at his role. They are normally very busy and an appointment can take a few weeks.

Your other option is to bypass them completely and contact some sexual health practice like Taylor Square Private Clinic in Darlinghurst. In my case they directed me to Taylor Square straight away - so it might even save you time. They have doctors with a lot of experience in dealing with transgender people and can refer you to a psychiatrist. They are a team of very dedicated doctors who really do take your care seriously. Don't worry about "private" in the name - they bulk bill everyone receiving benefits and only charge a small medicare gap fee for others. Taylor Square is very easy to deal with appointments can be had within a day or two.

If you are fairly certain of yourself, I'd book an appointment with Taylor Square or similar sexual health place since you will get a much faster outcome (path to first psychiatrist appointment).

[TracyCakes]

my counselor was the first person i ever told which was, of course, a totally safe and non-judgmental environment.  even if i had never taken another step forward, just knowing there was somebody on this earth that knew what I had been repressing is one of the most impactful moments of my life.

regardless of where life takes you after that, i really hope that your experience is similar.

[Delyth]

I am now waiting on a counsellor to get back to me. If I don't hear anything from my email by the middle of the week, I think I will make a phone call, or maybe look for someone local who can then refer me on as and when as required, to other relevant health professionals.
I have a question girls. What was your experience of coming out to your counsellor? Did you just blurt everything out at your first session, or did it take a few weeks for you to bring everything out in the open.
Feeling a little apprehensive, but do need to speak to some one.

[Mariah]

The core of what she needed to know I was upfront about coming in. So anything left was covered in the first session.
Mariah


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[FTMax]

Since I was going into therapy for the sole purpose of getting referrals for hormones and surgery, I told my therapist immediately how I identified and what I was coming to see her for.

You may find that they ask if there's a particular reason for your visit.

[Delyth]

I am hoping to have a chat with the counsellor over the phone at first. I really want to feel comfortable with talking to them. Also my biggest hurdle is time.
One of my biggest hurdles is time. I work long hours during the week. I am going to have to schedule my appointments for either evenings or weekends.

[Mariah]

Considering your scheduling needs make sure to be up front about that with the therapist not everyone will be able to accommodate that. Good luck
Mariah

I am hoping to have a chat with the counsellor over the phone at first. I really want to feel comfortable with talking to them. Also my biggest hurdle is time.
One of my biggest hurdles is time. I work long hours during the week. I am going to have to schedule my appointments for either evenings or weekends.

[Danalynn]

My opinion is AWESOME.  A therapist is typically the helper you will need for your journey.

My medical doctor asked me to see psychiatrist for depression.  It took me a year because I didn't believe in 'therapy'.  Finally after nagging me I made an appointment.  It didn't take long for the psychiatrist to pry out of me information that I had hidden.   She diagnosed me with gender dysphoria ( old term, they call it something new).  She did all of the paperwork, and two years later.. I'm a happy female! 

[JoanneB]

My very first time with seeing a therapist was 5 years ago when I decided to take the trans beast on for real, after a lifetime of dodging and weaving. Being a very private and tight lipped person, "opening up", was not in my repertoire. Since I forced myself to make that difficult call it only made sense to come right out and tell him exactly why I was there. What drove me to it was how I was not handling being trans and the ton of baggage I accumulated after a lifetime of dealing with it. So when asked the "Why?" question, I spoke the truth, not dancing around it. Pretty much been my approach all along with therapy. I also learned that being brutally honest with yourself before answering questions can be difficult

[enigmaticrorschach]

strange enough, when i started seeing my therapist is was really to get my letter but after awhile i starting going off track and started dealing with underlying stuff. i'm sure whatever therapist you find, make sure that the environment is, how can i say this, calming and as soon as you sit down, you can't help but to cry and just let it out. also make sure that you can really connect with him/or her because it is important that a strong bond is formed to get the best out of it. i hated therapy with a passion, but when i found my therapist, i literally broke down into tears and just let everything flow, and i havent cried like that since the first day i was born. now i kinda like therapy and my thoughts about moving just vanished. anyways sry to make it about me. i wish you the best of luck