What do you look for in a gender therapist?

[tranzferdinand]

Hey! I'm thinking about becoming a gender therapist because there seems to be a considerable lack in therapists that fully understand what being trans is, and certainly don't know it as well as a trans or dysphoric person would.

So what are some of the things you want in a gender therapist who helps you with HRT/SRS letters, therapy, etc.?

[Dani]

The single most important thing I looked for is someone who would let me tell them about myself and not try to change me into something I do not want to be. I looked for confirmation from a professional point of view. I looked for the proper credentials, a PhD being most desirable. Also, certification in transgender issues. Understanding my issues are a priority. Gate keepers need not apply.

[Nora Kayte]

I look for someone who takes my insurance. Hard to find a good one that takes insurance. Also need one who is flexible one when I can go. All the good ones I have gone to require once a week and I can't do that. I need it when I need it not on their schedule. So I do not see one at this time. If you are totally serious about being a therapist I would check out Lisa Maurel. Last time I checked she did some training and is a guest speaker. She is easy to find. I am not sure if we are allowed to post websites but you can find her at genderpath with a dot com after that. One of the best. If I was to be a therapist I would model myself and my website after her.


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[amandam]

I only had six sessions recently. One thing she would never do is tell me I am trans or tell me I am not. She was only helping me to find out.

[Denise]

I only had six sessions recently. One thing she would never do is tell me I am trans or tell me I am not. She was only helping me to find out.

I've been to two therapists and an MD
Therapist #1 has these after her name: Counselor, MA, LPC, ACCHT
Therapist #2 has these after her name: Counselor, EdD, LCPC, FAPA
Note:
I believe the EdD and LCPC are the two that are pretty important.  Something about being able to make diagnosis and can bill insurance.  I do know that the second counselor can write letters of medical necessity etc while the first was not certified to that that type of thing.


I bring that up because NEITHER of these two therapists nor the GP who treats TONS of people who are trans would say "you are transgender".  The closest I've gotten them to say is "Yes, what you have told me leads me to believe you have Gender Dysphoria."  That's the medical condition that is in "the book."  "Transgender" is not, correct me if I'm wrong, something that can, today, be diagnosed.  Gender Dysphoria CAN be diagnosed as there are a set list of symptoms.  Once diagnosed current best treatment for G.D. is to do some level of transition.  That may be something as simple as talking about the condition and finding coping mechanisms for controlling the symptoms all the way to HRT with SRS/GCS. 

I guess what I'm saying is you will be hard pressed to find a medical professional to diagnose "transgender."  I believe you need to take baby steps towards transition until you don't feel so bad then stop/pause/take-a-breath every so often until you reach a place where the G.D. is not affecting you.  BUT only you will know when you've gone far enough down the transition track.  Your medical professionals are taking your word for it.