Wonder if anybody else feels this way.

[TyorTay?]

I've only been to see my therapist twice, and to be honest I've felt a real connection. She's about my age, and when she asked if I've been exercising (also seeing for weight, and other things), I replied I've been playing Dance Dance Revolution. We briefly talked about the game, she then proceeded to sing a song, that no one would know unless they've played the game. When she cut out, I cut in. I just thought that was an awesome moment. Anyways, first question is, did you feel comfortable with your therapist in the first visit?

Next thing I would like to ask is, do you feel like therapy consumes your life? Seriously, all I can think about is the things that I'm talking about in therapy. I am even currently carrying around a journal of things to talk about with her. I don't like the negative connotations of consume, but it's the word that seems most accurate.

Happy I'm seeing a therapist. Haven't seen results yet, but I've felt for I long time I should see one, just for my life all around, not just my gender.

[suzifrommd]

I've seen many therapists for various afflictions in my life. Some of them I related to right away, some of them I never related to. For my current therapist, I felt comfortable with her right away.

Did therapy consume my life? Being trans consumed my life during the period of time leading up to my transition. I could think of little else. A trans friend and I came up with the term Gender Identity Preoccupation to describe it. If therapy were the only manifestation of being trans in my life, then it certainly would have consumed my life.

[Maybebaby56]

It's good that you are getting so much out of it.  I hardly think about my therapist at all, for the most part.  I see her once a month, and that's about right for me.  I am coming up on my two-year anniversary of deciding to transition, and I still present as male full-time to family, many of my friends, and at work. It's going to be a long, slow slog for me.

But boy, do I think about it.  All the time. Gender Identity Preoccupation, indeed.  I think about it when I get up in the morning, getting dressed in male clothes. I think about it at work, when my nipples hurt, or I see those conspicuous man boobs under my shirt when I look in the mirror in the bathroom, and I certainly think about it when I come home, and change into my little t-shirt dress, put my hoop earrings in, and pad around my apartment (often pursuing Susan's Place, lol).

Terri

[Ms Grace]

It's great that you're feeling a strong connection but remember that a good counsellor should be able to do this with their clients. I usually take a while to warm to them but only because I have trust issues - be careful not to read too much into it though, I know a few people who thought there was "more of a connection" (ie friendship, parental, romantic) than existed in reality.

[Cindy]

One of the critical skills of health workers is to establish a close and trusting bond.

But there are very strict boundaries that the health care worker lives by.

They are establishing a therapeutic relationship, a trust relationship - and not a personal relationship.

It can be confusing to the client. It is common for the client to 'fall in love' with their health care worker, be they a medic, nurse, physiotherapist, psychiatrist, whatever.

It doesn't work that way.

If the health care worker becomes aware of the transference they have to, legally and morally, remove themselves from the situation.

So enjoy a great relationship with your therapist, it will be very beneficial, but don't make the mistake that it means anymore than a professional doing their job.

[TyorTay?]

One of the critical skills of health workers is to establish a close and trusting bond.

But there are very strict boundaries that the health care worker lives by.

They are establishing a therapeutic relationship, a trust relationship - and not a personal relationship.

It can be confusing to the client. It is common for the client to 'fall in love' with their health care worker, be they a medic, nurse, physiotherapist, psychiatrist, whatever.

It doesn't work that way.

If the health care worker becomes aware of the transference they have to, legally and morally, remove themselves from the situation.

So enjoy a great relationship with your therapist, it will be very beneficial, but don't make the mistake that it means anymore than a professional doing their job.

Oh no, I'm aware it's strictly professional, and that's fine. I mostly came in here asking, because I feel I may be too gung-ho, and I do worry I am seeing things as positive simply because I want to. Definitely something I'll bring up next session. Unfortunately, she took this week off, so I'm chomping at the bit.


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[Dayta]

I do worry I am seeing things as positive simply because I want to.

This is really one of the secrets to success in life. 

Having a connection to your therapist, that they speak your language, they understand you can help build trust and confidence in them.  Knowing that you both are on the same project is crucial.  Sounds like you two are a good fit.  I hope that this continues to build.  Please keep us informed about your experience. 

[TyorTay?]

Had my third appointment last night.

Everything went well, no extreme updates. This was my first time seeing her in 2.5 weeks, so it felt like there was too little time to focus on everything. For now we're mostly focusing on my Social Anxiety, while I work on my weight. I told her in no uncertain terms, that I am no longer questioning, I know that I'm trans. Yes I'm chomping at the bit to get my letter, but I need to work on the anxiety, because, boy wouldn't transition exacerbate it. Also weight and Blood Pressure.

Oh and I did address the fact that I feel too gung-ho, but she said that it can be a very good thing. All in all, although it wasn't a life changing session (I feel I actually haven't had one yet), I came out of it feeling very good.

[TyorTay?]

Just keeping y'all up to date. Had a few more appointments, and last night, my therapist e-mailed me my letter!

WWWWWWWWWWWHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

[Colleen M]

Congratulations on the letter!