First meeting

[MeTony]

How does a session work? What questiones will she ask me?

I will tell my psychiatrist on tuesday that I am a man. She has known me for more than 10 years. 

And that I will need therapy to be able to break the news for my husband.

[JeanetteLW]

I too am wondering what my first meeting will be like after having told my doctor I feel I am transgendered. I had already started MTF HT. I am not familiar with therapy. I understand this will be an initial screening meeting with a psychiatrist. She will likely tell me I'm crazy and it's probably correct.

Wishing you good luck and a good meeting MeTonie.

  Jeanette

[Rambler]

I'm sure the experience varies from therapist to therapist and from client to client, but for me it was pretty general. My counselor focused on getting to know me and understanding my background. We definitely talked about my, 'crisis of gender identity' as I referred to it. I couldn't even say that I thought I was or that I was transgender. I was filled with a lot of angst and worry and I kept lamenting about how 'I don't want this for myself, why can't I just be happy as I am?' At the end of the day, just go in prepared to speak honestly and openly. Everything will be fine.

Best of luck!

[Gryffin]

I think it usually varies from therapist to therapist. When I started seeing my guy, the first session was mainly just an intake and we started getting to know one another. I can't remember if I came right out with my gender stuff, but it didn't take long for us to get to that.

My best advice on all of it is to go in and get a feel for what the therapist is like. I am a huge advocate for making sure you are comfortable with the therapist you see.

Just relax and have a good meeting. Best of luck to you.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

[MeTony]

Is it a good or bad thing to tell my psychiatrist that has known me since 2005? I see her because of psychiatric problems, depression, ADHD among others.
Or should I find someone new?

[Christine1]

My therapist said it's like ping pong. She asks some questions and I honestly answer.

[MissGendered]

Is it a good or bad thing to tell my psychiatrist that has known me since 2005? I see her because of psychiatric problems, depression, ADHD among others.
Or should I find someone new?

Depends on the psych, to be honest, but if it were me, I would tell them, but I would still find a gender therapist with experience guiding successful transitions. My experience was that non-gender therapists tended to do more harm than good when confronted with gender dysphoria. It's the whole thing, like, if you need a style cut, stay out of the barber shop, cuz they are gonna buzz cut you like they do all their customers. Only a gender therapist can write your letters, anyway, and they are likely to be able to refer you to an endo for HRT without a hitch, too..

Just my thoughts, best of luck with your therapy and your hubby, hun!

Missy

[MissGendered]

I am not familiar with therapy. I understand this will be an initial screening meeting with a psychiatrist. She will likely tell me I'm crazy and it's probably correct.

Nope, hun, she will listen, take notes, ask questions, listen, take notes, ask questions, let you ramble on a bit, and watch you, and take more notes...

But she will most definitely NOT tell you that you are crazy, even if it is true, lol..

One can be crazy, AND be trans, in fact, it would hardly be the first time, ha ha!

You'll be fine. Just speak your truth. Drop your shield, and let your heart speak for you..

Missy

[JeanetteLW]

LOL Thank you Missy

[LizK]

If anyone says you are crazy...run...very fast and get another opinion

I have a Psychiatrist and a Psychologist. I don't really chat with the Psychiatrist much but I do with the psychologist.

Both those people were lovely and I have great respect for both of them.   

Be honest, don't let your fear of being told you are not trans stop you from telling the truth. You may well have some other stuff going on caused by the stress and trauma of being trans. They can't help you if you don't ever tell them. The fact that you think about your gender most likely puts you as trans anyway CIS people don't question their gender.

I had the most amazingly insightful experience with my Psychologist on Friday that turned my world around to a far better place than it was. If you get a good one you will fine...if you don't, try another one if you can

Good Luck

Liz