Concerned about therapist, or am I over thinking this

[Chrissy1]

Hi all. I have been trying to find a therapist,and I have been in contact with a couple. Neither had evening appointments thiugh. One did however refer me to someone else. So I called her and it was odd. She never asked what I was seeking therapy for. Didn't really ask any questions. She just wanted to get straight to making an appointment. She didn't even ask how I would be paying for the appointment. Am I over thinking this as a red flag or should I continue looking?

[JoanneB]

If you have concerns as to her qualifications or experience or cost you should call back and ask. Otherwise you may be in for an unpleasant surprise.

[Eva Marie]

You need a certain level of trust to open up to a therapist; you want to feel good about the experience and you and the therapist need to "click".

You don't know why the therapist you called was rushing you into making an appointment - she might have a client waiting for her to get off the phone with you or any other number of reasons. You may have just caught her at a bad moment.

I would give her an initial session to see if you click or not- tell her up front what you are looking and are hoping for - if you don't click or you don't feel the trust - keep looking.

[JLT1]

I would find out as much about her as I could.  She should have a Web Site: take a look.  If you can't find out anything make sure about the cost and possibility of insurance coverage.  If that is OK, spend the first 20 minutes of an initial appointment interviewing her.  Tell her up front about your concerns about her qualifications and experience.  If that is good, feel each other out a bit and go from there. 

Hugs

Jen

[Laura_7]

I would find out as much about her as I could.  She should have a Web Site: take a look.  If you can't find out anything make sure about the cost and possibility of insurance coverage.  If that is OK, spend the first 20 minutes of an initial appointment interviewing her.  Tell her up front about your concerns about her qualifications and experience.  If that is good, feel each other out a bit and go from there. 

Hugs

Jen

I would do a mix.
I'd look up reviews of her, and her experience.
Then I'd call or email her and tell her what the reason for counseling is.
This way she might prepare the first session better.

And you might look here:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,162888.msg1400316.html#msg1400316


hugs

[FTMax]

Agree. Take a look around the web and see if she has any kind of online presence, or perhaps reviews from other patients. And regardless of whether or not you find anything, I would email her back and let her know that you're seeking treatment for gender dysphoria.

There are still a lot of therapists out there who have never encountered a trans person and won't have any idea how to help us. If she's willing to learn and work with you, that's great. But it would be best for you probably if she already had some experience working with other transfolks so that neither of you is going in blind.

[AnonyMs]

When I first called my psych he started asking all sorts of questions on the phone and I got quite upset about it. I don't think its appropriate for many reasons, and I told him so when I met him. It all worked out very well in the end, so I don't think it means too much. I still think its a stupid thing to do though.

One reason was that when you first see a therapist they don't know anything about you and how are they going to start the delicate task of beginning the relationship? On the phone, when they can't even see you? They might say something to mess it up and not even realize. There's nothing they actually need to know at this point except that you're going to turn up.

I would (did) still do all the normal checking them up as others have said.

[Rejennyrated]

I came to the thread preparing to say yes you are overthinking because almost everyone does when they are first starting out in my experience.

HOWEVER I then read your comment and to my astonishment no you are not. That does not sound like proper professional behaviour and I can help but suspect this "therapist" may be one of those with an agenda. Personally I'd walk away from this one... a good rule of thumb is that if something feels "off" it probably is, and its just not worth the risk.

[Chrissy1]

https://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/name/Ramona_Singleton_MS,LMFT_Manchester_Connecticut_233104

This is her profile page from physiology today. She doesn't list transgender as one of her fields. So do I assume that means she can't help me? Sorry if that sounds like a silly question, I am just unsure of this.

[Laura_7]

This is from a transgender resource guide from 2007:
Ramona Singleton Therapist, MS, MFT Clinical Consultation Group 435 Buckland Road South Windsor
...
Experience with HRT/SRS letters FTM: 0/0 Experience with HRT/SRS letters MTF: 0/0

You might write her a mail telling her your reason for counseling and ask a few questions...
for example how she sees her role...
if she has experience with transgender issues...

her website says a bit about her style.
Its up to you if you want to try or if you want to keep looking.

One possibility might be to ask at transgender groups or lgbt places.

Or looking up someone from the link above who has gender on their list.

Its up to you.

hugs

[FTMax]

https://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/name/Ramona_Singleton_MS,LMFT_Manchester_Connecticut_233104

This is her profile page from physiology today. She doesn't list transgender as one of her fields. So do I assume that means she can't help me? Sorry if that sounds like a silly question, I am just unsure of this.

No, not necessarily! Psychology Today is kind of notorious for "professionals" who select as many options as possible to show up in the most search results. A great many that select things LGBTQ related have no experience and have done no research in order to help someone through transition. The fact that she hasn't selected it at least means she's not overstating her qualifications.

I'd definitely send her a message saying exactly what you want to see her for. I know it's daunting to do so, but at least you'll know for sure whether or not she's open to helping you before you get too invested in the process with her.

[Chrissy1]

Well I emailed her all I can do now is wait.

[Chrissy1]

I recieved an email from her today. She said that she has only had a couple of clients that are transgender. So she referred me to the lgbt health coallition. Now I am waiting on a call back from them.

[JLT1]

You made the correct decision.

Well done!

Hugs

Jen