Back Into Therapy

[allisonsteph]

I start seeing a new therapist today. So much has happened in the year since I was last in therapy regularly... an overdose, a suicide attempt, a 12 day hospitalization, six months of homelessness, a move from California to New York, a diagnosis of schizophrenia, a new job, and a new home. Mental health services are severely lacking in my area and I'm nervous about starting this new therapeutic relationship. I am so worried that this new therapist will lump being trans in with the mental illnesses that I suffer from. I so desperately need help but I don't know if I have it in me to educate someone not versed in transcare.

[Jayne]

I'm just wondering if you can search online for details of your therapists experience beforehand? Almost every professional can be researched online nowadays.
I wish you all the best for your therapy session

[Mariah]

Allison, so sorry to hear about everything you have gone through in the last year. I agree with Jayne that if you can research them outline it will give you a better idea if they are versed in it or not. I wish we didn't always have to educate the providers we deal with when it comes to our care. If you find they don't have the experience and your not up to educating them and advocating for the trans care you need then I would recommend getting an advocate in your corner at this point which you can make sure is familiar with trans issues so they can take the stand that your unable to do right now. I wish you the best of luck right now. Hugs.
Mariah

[allisonsteph]

The first session was ok. The therapist is older, I'm guessing mid-late 60s. She didn't realize that I am trans (or was polite enough not to mention it) until I told her I was in response to "have you entered menopause yet?". When I did tell her that I am trans she mentioned that her brother is a "transvestite". So I'm a little torn, she is at least somewhat aware , but her terminology is 30 years outdated. In any event it is too early to tell if this is a good fit or not, so I am giving it another try and scheduled a session for next week.

[katrinaw]

Allison hugs... I am so sorry to hear of everything you have been through, certainly happy that you have pulled through to here.

I suspect the current therapist is certainly going to be sympathetic to your cause, she may use out dated language, but sometimes at this age (I know) that terminology slips... I do hope however that she is everything you're looking for moving forward.

L Katy 

[Jayne]

Outdated language doesn't invalidate if someone is dedicated to helping others.
I saw a therapist about my depression 2 years ago and told her that being trans was part of the reason for being depressed, her response was to send me a list of gay bars in Bristol so look on the bright side things could be worse