Therapy... kind words of encouragement are needed.

[SarahMarie1987]

So I called up a therapist near where I work. And fate must have really been on my side, because I now have an appointment for next Tuesday at 5. Ack!!!!

[Valwen]

it will be great just be honest with yourself.

[KristinaM]

Oh you'll be fine.  The more you talk about it, the easier it'll get.  It takes practice though, and the first time saying it out loud, admitting it to yourself and another stranger, can be both stressful and rewarding.  It takes on a new meaning, a new "real-ness" when you say it out loud, especially to strangers.

It'll be mostly a "getting to know you" session though.  Just start talking and see what comes out.  They may direct you, but don't stress it.  If you need to talk about it, it'll come out of your mouth. 

[Mariah]

As much as it seems scary coming in it's actually a relief once you get going because getting all that weight off your shoulders and sharing it with someone else is a huge relief. I know it was at least for me. Good luck and Hugs
Mariah

[traci_k]

Best thing you'll do for now. Anticipate great relief over getting that "secret" out of your life by telling someone who understands. Just be honest and open. I know I was almost giddy after my first appointment with relief and happiness.

[Jacqueline]

Ditto above,

Be honest. Yes, that is very important. I found it very helpful. I had never been and was terrified. Remember, they are another human just trying to help.

Wish you all the luck.

With warmth,

Joanna

[Tamika Olivia]

Good luck sweetie!

I had my first appointment last week, and I was a nervous (and excited) wreck the week before. Afterwards, I felt very centered. Be honest, be brave, and strong like an amazon. You will love the way you feel afterwards.

Kisses,

Tamika

[JoanneB]

So I called up a therapist near where I work. And fate must have really been on my side, because I now have an appointment for next Tuesday at 5. Ack!!!!

"Ack"! What... you wanted 5:30 so you didn't have to leave work a little early? 

Congrats on making the call. It took a lot of courage to. It will take even more to spit out why you are there.

[SarahMarie1987]

Thanks for all the encouragement!!

For the most part this is just an intake and getting to know me process um thingy.

After that I could assume that there would be scheduling based on my issues. Which are a lot. She seemed a bit surprised on the phone when I rattled off half a dozen from the top of my head. So I think it will be interesting.

Debating on bringing up gender and trans issues so early. But if it is on the intake sheet, maybe I should say yes? Advice? 

[kittenpower]

Thanks for all the encouragement!!

For the most part this is just an intake and getting to know me process um thingy.

After that I could assume that there would be scheduling based on my issues. Which are a lot. She seemed a bit surprised on the phone when I rattled off half a dozen from the top of my head. So I think it will be interesting.

Debating on bringing up gender and trans issues so early. But if it is on the intake sheet, maybe I should say yes? Advice?

It is not uncommon for trans people to have psychiatric comorbidity, such as anxiety, depression, OCD, etc.
Best wishes

[SarahMarie1987]

It is not uncommon for trans people to have psychiatric comorbidity, such as anxiety, depression, OCD, etc.
Best wishes

Thank you!

And I agree (as do my six cats) that I am just living in a cats' world.

[Dena]

Thanks for all the encouragement!!

For the most part this is just an intake and getting to know me process um thingy.

After that I could assume that there would be scheduling based on my issues. Which are a lot. She seemed a bit surprised on the phone when I rattled off half a dozen from the top of my head. So I think it will be interesting.

Debating on bringing up gender and trans issues so early. But if it is on the intake sheet, maybe I should say yes? Advice?

By all means bring up gender and trans issues as soon as possible. I had many issues I had to deal with but the root cause of all of them were transsexualism. Once the transsexualism was addressed, most of what remained was easy to deal with.

[SarahMarie1987]

By all means bring up gender and trans issues as soon as possible. I had many issues I had to deal with but the root cause of all of them were transsexualism. Once the transsexualism was addressed, most of what remained was easy to deal with.

Like Kittenpower said, a lot my issues are tied in with my trans stuff as well. Even if I am just acknowledging it now. To be fair, I probably would have been a much healthier person if I had continued therapy 10 years ago. But thinking about it, I am happy to have grown more to being Sarah than being the other person I was 10 years ago.

Again, thank you all for the kind words! You are all very sweet! 

[JoanneB]

At the time, six years ago, the primary reason I went to a therapist was for all the baggage I accumulated from being trans. I needed a new/better way to think of myself and the world. Unlearn bad behaviors, such as those that exploded my life, etc.. I knew being trans was at the heart of it all, yet I wasn't going there to start transitioning. Been there, tried it twice years (decades) earlier. Still I needed to find a T-Friendly one out in the boonies.

So... yes, do start out putting being trans on the table. It does not mean you are primarily there to start transition. A Gender Therapist I see now is far better with all the assorted baggage then the generalist I was seeing. BTW - six years later I still don't know about transitioning. But is no longer off the table, more like how and when

[janetcgtv]

Just be honest with your therapist. Just don't tell them what you think the therapist wants to hear. Express all your feelings to them. It's your dime. Someone on this forum had SRS surgery now regrets having it. You may find out that you are a crossdresser not a transsexual or vice versa. There is nothing wrong about being in either group. Just be happy with who you are.

Have a lovely day.

After reading later posts about the person who regretted SRS, I found out she developed Urinary tract problems, not because of SRS surgery.