Transitioning: South Australia

[Jay.Lewis.P]

Hi everyone,

SO i just thought I'd make this topic for those in South Australia wishing to transition but might be a little lost on what to do? (it took me ages to actually find out what the legislation was for south australia!)

So, I went to my GP (who, after me being unsure about his reaction, turned out to be AMAZINGLY supportive to me, especially after I told him my mother wasn't) and told him I wished to transition.

He explained to me that in the state of South Australia you have to go through the South Australia Gender Dysphoria Clinic. And to do so you need a reference letter from your GP. So my GP wrote one and I was under the impression that I would simply wait for the clinic to call me and make an appointment

however a day later my GP's office rang me up and told me that Dr Robert Lyons (who will the be one of the psychologists assessing you) requests that I personally write him a letter telling him why I want to see him before I can get an appointment and that I have to post it myself to him.



And that's as far as I have got so far. But I shall keep this updated to help out fellow South Aussies

I have written my letter and am going to post it ASAP.


So, as a summary:

Reference letter from GP to South Australian Gender Dysphoria Clinic
Personal letter to Dr Robert Lyons on 'why you want to come see him'

[AmyBee]

I see Dr Lyons, the letter thing is only recent I believe. Its mostly intended as a self-exploration of sorts, for you to start thinking about why you think transitioning is for you.

In my experience, Dr Lyons won't really be a cheerleader pushing you through transition, and will regularly question you on why you feel you need it, so IMO forming a real conviction of what you want is going to be the work you need to do if you intend to progress.

[Jennifer19]

Hi AmyBee, I totally agree with you in regards to Rob Lyons. He definitely doesn't push one in the direction of transition but wants to really explore with you why and what you would expect from HRT.
I went to him 4 years ago for a few sessions but because of family stopped seeing him and when the back to pretending I am not what I am. Now 4 years on I went to see him again and yes he was right sat time when he said to me that if I will see you in the future it's because that the situation is real. And guess what, he was right.
Now after 3 visits I am on HRT but a small dose to see how I react and how far I want to take t.
I must say that even on the low dose I am starting to feel a little better, I love getting emotional. That is my first experience so far. My main problem is family, I am trying to keep it together if I can so I have to take it slow. Mind you if I was without family and a bit younger 10 horses wouldn't stop me to go as fast as I could.

[kelly_aus]

Ahh.. Rob.. What can I say. He can be a bit of a hard ass. He is also a warm and caring guy who genuinely is after your best interests. I remember my last regular appointment with him - he asked me why I kept coming back when I clearly had no need to see him any more. After 4 years, it had become habit.

There are some long waits involved in SA these days, but on the whole, it wasn't the worst place I could have transitioned. In fact, it was a kinda friendly to transition. I never got any crap worth mentioning from the general public.

Oh, and if you think Rob is a hard ass, watch out for Rosie..

[Jennifer19]

Yes Kelly-au I know what you mean with regards to Rob Lyons. I was asking him about Rosie as I have read and heard a lot about her. He said its up to you but he would recommend for me to see Dr T Mezzini on Norwood Parade as she was more up to date with it. I must say I was a bit sceptical as I know that Rosie is one of us and knows what's it's like for us but after meeting Dr Mezzoni I found her at first impression caring, sympathetic and understanding plus a lot younger.
So I think I may have found the right person for me but time will tell.