Trying to choose an online therapist, any suggestions?

[Amelia Phoenix]

I'm looking to find an online therapist who can help me get an HRT letter. (I was on hormones through informed consent in the past, but I live too far away from that endo now)

I've narrowed it down to five, but I was wondering if you all had any experience or if you have heard anything about any of these therapists.

Here are the five (in no particular order):

1. Dr. Carol Clark - she has e-counseling over Skype, charges $160 a session. The two cons of this are that she is expensive and I can't seem to find a lot of reviews for her.

2. Dr. Caroline Gibbs - she has Skype counseling available, and works primarily with trans patients, however I can't find much information about her pricing, and I don't see many reviews for her (although her name is mentioned here on the forums a couple of times)

3. Dr. Audrey Lehman - she has Skype counseling available at $150 a session. I cannot find any reviews for her, however.

4. Dr. Melissa Leonhardt - has live chat only sessions, however her prices are much cheaper, at $42 a session. The only thing about her is that I have heard she cancels quite often, sometimes as much as three times in the few months it takes to get a letter.

5. Dr. Marybeth Markham - She has Skype sessions available, pricing is unclear. She has the best reviews out of the five, but I really can't find any reviews from trans people. I'm not sure if she would be a good choice, or if she even writes letters.

Those are the five I am currently considering, if you have had experience with any of these therapists, please let me know. I am really wanting to get started but I just don't want to choose someone who is going to lead me on a wild goose chase to try and get my letter. If you have any other suggestions or information regarding online therapy, feel free to let me know.

Thanks,
~Amy~

[Laura_7]

Well apart from seeing this as counsel which might be of help...

have you thought of contacting your old endo and ask him if there is a way to send you a recipe ? You should be in their database still.

Another option, if you have some papers showing you did hrt on informed consent already, would be to ask endos if they would accept that.

You might look for experiences with endos in a specific area on google:

site:susans.org  "Enter city here"


hugs

[Mariah]

Pricing on Marybeth Markham is 80 bucks, but it has been said she can do sliding scale. Also She can bill your insurance for those in Washington State which will allow you to get money back if you have out of Network Coverage. Marybeth has been great I haven't had any problems and she can write both Surgery and Hormone letters. I have never felt that she was gate keeping and she straight away settled my fears in regards to that down right away. As far as who will work for you that is going to depend on you and what you can afford. You may try one and not like them and end up trying another and every works out splendidly. Your comfort and what you an afford are probably more important than anything else. Good Luck and Hugs.
Mariah

[FTMax]

I went to Melissa Leonhardt for 3 sessions before I cancelled with her and started sessions with Graham Peveller. I did not see him on your list, but he is a great option if you have a timeline or goal in mind that you're working towards. If there are no other considerations to make, he will make sure you reach whatever goal you're trying to meet. His sessions are $50/ea, or he does package deals for certain things. I didn't need a letter for HRT, but I paid $320 to get a referral for top surgery.

Melissa wasn't willing to work with me to get me top surgery when I wanted it. I had very specific needs that were voiced to her going into the process and she was very noncommittal about it. When I specifically asked her when I would have my referral, she refused to give me a straight answer. If you look through my old posts, you'll find several threads about my experience. I don't recommend her.

[Amelia Phoenix]

Well apart from seeing this as counsel which might be of help...

have you thought of contacting your old endo and ask him if there is a way to send you a recipe ? You should be in their database still.

Another option, if you have some papers showing you did hrt on informed consent already, would be to ask endos if they would accept that.

You might look for experiences with endos in a specific area on google:

site:susans.org  "Enter city here"


hugs

The endo I saw before provided implants, rather than pills, patches, or injectables, I do not think I would be able to get him to prescribe me out of state. I tried contacting him via e-mail once before regarding it and he never got back to me.

Also, I'd like to actually begin to get therapy rolling so that I can get a letter for SRS down the road with ease. If I wait until I actually wanted to schedule SRS, I'd have to wait more time to get a letter.

Pricing on Marybeth Markham is 80 bucks, but it has been said she can do sliding scale. Also She can bill your insurance for those in Washington State which will allow you to get money back if you have out of Network Coverage. Marybeth has been great I haven't had any problems and she can write both Surgery and Hormone letters. I have never felt that she was gate keeping and she straight away settled my fears in regards to that down right away. As far as who will work for you that is going to depend on you and what you can afford. You may try one and not like them and end up trying another and every works out splendidly. Your comfort and what you an afford are probably more important than anything else. Good Luck and Hugs.
Mariah

Well I'm glad that there's someone who has had experience with her. She is who I have been leaning towards, but was wanting to see if she had helped anyone here on Susans. That is good to know

A few questions, if you don't mind? I just wanted to know how long it took you to get your letter and how you received it (via postal, e-mail, fax, etc)?

I went to Melissa Leonhardt for 3 sessions before I cancelled with her and started sessions with Graham Peveller. I did not see him on your list, but he is a great option if you have a timeline or goal in mind that you're working towards. If there are no other considerations to make, he will make sure you reach whatever goal you're trying to meet. His sessions are $50/ea, or he does package deals for certain things. I didn't need a letter for HRT, but I paid $320 to get a referral for top surgery.

Melissa wasn't willing to work with me to get me top surgery when I wanted it. I had very specific needs that were voiced to her going into the process and she was very noncommittal about it. When I specifically asked her when I would have my referral, she refused to give me a straight answer. If you look through my old posts, you'll find several threads about my experience. I don't recommend her.

I was considering Melissa however it sounds like she doesn't really give her patients any priority, she seems to cancel a lot. I will most likely not be choosing her.

As far as Graham Peveller goes, I like to do a bit to research before I go into things. Maybe I did too much research on him, because I found enough to make me feel uncomfortable speaking with him. Even though the letters are legitimate and useable, I feel there were enough people who had bad experiences for me not to risk it. I'm not bashing him by any means, as I've never met him, but from what I read, I can't place my trust in him, and I really need to be able to trust that my therapist has my best interest at heart.

[Mariah]

I had my letter for hormones from her within a view visits. She can fax, mail and email a copy to you. Considering you have been on hormones before I would think it wouldn't take you long to get a letter. I think I was 3 visits to that letter only because she needed enough background material and info. As far as the surgery letter they tend to wait tell you have been on hormones at least a year and often like you to be full time also before giving that surgical letter. If it wasn't for Group Health forcing it to wait tell the last minute before the year date on hormones I would have had that letter in hand now. Group health a stickler in making sure things are the way they want them if they are going to cover. Regardless when your ready that letter will be a done deal as well provided you meet the criteria in the WPATH standards. So my insurance forcing that date is the only reason my surgery letters are not in my hands now. Both are done deal. She is very easy to work with though. Good luck and Hugs
Mariah

Well I'm glad that there's someone who has had experience with her. She is who I have been leaning towards, but was wanting to see if she had helped anyone here on Susans. That is good to know

A few questions, if you don't mind? I just wanted to know how long it took you to get your letter and how you received it (via postal, e-mail, fax, etc)?

[Laura_7]

The endo I saw before provided implants, rather than pills, patches, or injectables, I do not think I would be able to get him to prescribe me out of state. I tried contacting him via e-mail once before regarding it and he never got back to me.

Well many consider implants advantageous... one appointment and you are set for months. And steadily released doses.
There are estro, progesterone and even small doses of t for people after srs available.

But of course its up to you.

Hope you find a therapist you go along with well.

hugs

[Amelia Phoenix]

I had my letter for hormones from her within a view visits. She can fax, mail and email a copy to you. Considering you have been on hormones before I would think it wouldn't take you long to get a letter. I think I was 3 visits to that letter only because she needed enough background material and info. As far as the surgery letter they tend to wait tell you have been on hormones at least a year and often like you to be full time also before giving that surgical letter. If it wasn't for Group Health forcing it to wait tell the last minute before the year date on hormones I would have had that letter in hand now. Group health a stickler in making sure things are the way they want them if they are going to cover. Regardless when your ready that letter will be a done deal as well provided you meet the criteria in the WPATH standards. So my insurance forcing that date is the only reason my surgery letters are not in my hands now. Both are done deal. She is very easy to work with though. Good luck and Hugs
Mariah

Thanks. I think I will send her an e-mail and see if she's the right therapist for me

Well many consider implants advantageous... one appointment and you are set for months. And steadily released doses.
There are estro, progesterone and even small doses of t for people after srs available.

But of course its up to you.

Hope you find a therapist you go along with well.

hugs

Implants are in my opinion ideal because it's a steady steam over 3 - 4 months. The problem for me however, is that it is just too darn expensive. A round trip flight would cost me $500, and the implants (just at a medium dosage) would cost another $500. That's at least three to four times more expensive than pills. I just don't have that kind of money

I think years down the road, once I have had SRS, I will switch to a low implant dosage, so I only have to get hormones 3 - 4 times a year.




Thanks for all your help guys and gals

[Mariah]

Regardless of whomever you chose I hope you find the right fit for you because that's what is most important. Secondly, I hope your able to get the hormones in the method you want once your lined up with a new endo. Good luck and hugs.
Mariah

Thanks. I think I will send her an e-mail and see if she's the right therapist for me

Implants are in my opinion ideal because it's a steady steam over 3 - 4 months. The problem for me however, is that it is just too darn expensive. A round trip flight would cost me $500, and the implants (just at a medium dosage) would cost another $500. That's at least three to four times more expensive than pills. I just don't have that kind of money

I think years down the road, once I have had SRS, I will switch to a low implant dosage, so I only have to get hormones 3 - 4 times a year.




Thanks for all your help guys and gals

[Amelia Phoenix]

Regardless of whomever you chose I hope you find the right fit for you because that's what is most important. Secondly, I hope your able to get the hormones in the method you want once your lined up with a new endo. Good luck and hugs.
Mariah

Thanks I e-mailed her and she responded within 30 minutes. Told me more about her practice and who she treats. Apparently 90% of her patients are trans. Who knew? Thanks for the help, I'll probably e-mail her tomorrow morning and see if I can schedule a session. She's a bit expensive, but it's still (barely) in my budget, at least for a few months.

[Mariah]

The sooner you email her the sooner she can schedule you. If you want the soonest available slot your really do want to email tonight rather tomorrow because it maybe a week before she fits you in if you wait to long.
Mariah

[Micah (Alecia)]

I had my letter for hormones from her within a view visits. She can fax, mail and email a copy to you. Considering you have been on hormones before I would think it wouldn't take you long to get a letter. I think I was 3 visits to that letter only because she needed enough background material and info. As far as the surgery letter they tend to wait tell you have been on hormones at least a year and often like you to be full time also before giving that surgical letter. If it wasn't for Group Health forcing it to wait tell the last minute before the year date on hormones I would have had that letter in hand now. Group health a stickler in making sure things are the way they want them if they are going to cover. Regardless when your ready that letter will be a done deal as well provided you meet the criteria in the WPATH standards. So my insurance forcing that date is the only reason my surgery letters are not in my hands now. Both are done deal. She is very easy to work with though. Good luck and Hugs
Mariah

Just curious where can I find her contact info?

[Mariah]

Sending you a pm with her info

[FrankNstein]

Sending you a pm with her info

Hello, if it's not a bother, i'd greatly appreciate her contact info as well. You have all been really amazing!

[haeden]

Yeah I wouldn't go to Melissa Leonhardt. I emailed her for an initial appointment on Tuesday and her website says you will get a response in 48 hours but I have yet to get an email back. Now I have to go and find another online therapist so I can start everything

[FTMax]

Yeah I wouldn't go to Melissa Leonhardt. I emailed her for an initial appointment on Tuesday and her website says you will get a response in 48 hours but I have yet to get an email back. Now I have to go and find another online therapist so I can start everything

That was pretty much my experience when I first contacted her. I think her current clients take priority, because after that I had no issues getting ahold of her. Still, given the issues I had with her after the fact, I would not recommend her. If getting started ASAP is your goal, I'd encourage you to contact Graham Peveller.

[haeden]

That was pretty much my experience when I first contacted her. I think her current clients take priority, because after that I had no issues getting ahold of her. Still, given the issues I had with her after the fact, I would not recommend her. If getting started ASAP is your goal, I'd encourage you to contact Graham Peveller.

Yeah consistency throughout is important to me. She didn't keep her word so I already don't trust her so even if she does reply I won't go to her. I just need a good therapist. I want to work things out before I start because I want top surgery before starting t

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