Start to adress issues now or later?

[SailorMars1994]

Hey everyone! I am curious to get a prospective. So I was here like a week or 2 ago asking if I should start thepray for EMDR or something else. Now, i must say I know why I have been having issue with not just my trans journey but also career wise and everything else. I am insecure, a negative thinker (towards myself) and yeaaah. I am to move to Manitoba in July ad already have a therapy thingy set up for them. But now I am curious, should I start therpay now or later? I am looking at people in the city of Ottawa who specialize in those with a lot of issues like myself and really really want get  a move a long. My only concern is that is important for me to build a good repore with those assessing me and to build trust. In 3 months I am off to Maniotba and am unsure what if anything can be done through EMDR during these 3 months. So for a 2nd opinion, is it best to wait or try and get as much, if anything at all out of the way now?

Hugs-Ashley

[Sno]

Sweetie, no time like the present - emdr sessions tend to focus on one event, and will move on, only once it's dealt with, and I'm sure that your therapist will be able to organise handover to your new therapist in Manitoba

Sending good vibes

Rowan

[JoanneB]

I would start ASAP. First of all, any trans-friendly therapist is likely to help you TODAY. From what I've just read on the EMDR website it takes a "Getting to Know You" session or two and then decisions (guesses) are made as to how many EMDR sessions.

My general self-observation has been actually saying or expressing your feelings or thoughts verbally to another person is an amazingly therapeutic thing. Something about how your brain has to jump through it's various loops to get the right words out often also gets you to think about those same feelings differently.

After you move, you also have some basis to make a comparison against with a new therapist

[SailorMars1994]

I would start ASAP. First of all, any trans-friendly therapist is likely to help you TODAY. From what I've just read on the EMDR website it takes a "Getting to Know You" session or two and then decisions (guesses) are made as to how many EMDR sessions.

My general self-observation has been actually saying or expressing your feelings or thoughts verbally to another person is an amazingly therapeutic thing. Something about how your brain has to jump through it's various loops to get the right words out often also gets you to think about those same feelings differently.

After you move, you also have some basis to make a comparison against with a new therapist

I suppose so. It can just be too freaky at times.

[DawnOday]

For myself it did not take too many (3) visits to Kristi my therapist before we came to the mutual conclusion that I would not be happy unless something changed. So we opted for HRT. Time between first visit and third was about 6 weeks. Now I go about every three months to basically tell her how things are going. So if you wait six months you may get a little antsy. Also I suppose the resources in Manitoba are not what they are in Ontario. As to your self loathing. Don't be so hard on yourself. I wanted to be a fire fighter so I spent two years training for it and then could not pass the physical. So I took a job as a scheduling clerk with classes in the evening, which led to my eventual job of being a Production systems SME and after my congestive heart failure I became a buyer of training,seminars, instructors, speakers. The best thing you can do for yourself is getting some education. No matter what you decide. A better job makes it easier.

[Katiepie]

There is nothing like the present time. Later can turn from days to months, to even years. I myself have been in a progressive state of not working much toward my own journey, other than my own wardrobe.

It all depends on how much work you put into the situation, or if anything may be holding you back to start. I know my journey is long and will remain long due to currently still actively being in the U.S. Army Reserve, so I can, but can't, start therapy to start myself to a better life on my own. But in the meantime, I can still work on my own perspective of self betterment through living as myself, though only being at the first step still. Within time I will eventually take my second, and third step, and so on, but as I say my journey is still in progress.

Though only you, yourself can make your own decision to start now or later.

[NikkiB51]

I know my journey is long and will remain long due to currently still actively being in the U.S. Army Reserve, so I can, but can't, start therapy to start myself to a better life on my own.

I thought SECDEF had implemented a policy decision to allow servicemembers to transition in place.  Does this not apply to the reserves, also?

[SailorMars1994]

Well i did it. I schedualed a date with a counsellor who specialized in truama and gender journeying. I dont see her until August 5th but eh, it is what it is .....

[Sephirah]

Well i did it. I schedualed a date with a counsellor who specialized in truama and gender journeying. I dont see her until August 5th but eh, it is what it is .....

That's a big step. I'm proud of you.

There isn't really a downside to talking to someone, sweetie. Whatever does or doesn't come of it, it's a step in the right direction. That's what you have to think about. It's getting you closer to where you want to be. Very well done. *hugs*

[SailorMars1994]

Thank you! Yes i have to wait until I am in Manitoba but I wana get this done. I wana be the best me there is, I owe it to Ashley who had been shackeld to masculinity for 20 years and has spent 23 years in shame, doubt and unresolved truama stuff. This is for her <3!

[Katiepie]

I thought SECDEF had implemented a policy decision to allow servicemembers to transition in place.  Does this not apply to the reserves, also?

I have read the policy as a whole. And as inclusive to the whole outline. The servicemember is only considered "finished transition" and will be able to change in DEERS the gender marker, at the completion of transitioning, albeit, yes it does require bottom surgery as per requirement, else the servicemember is still considered and treated as such as their birth gender.
Basically excluding those who do not require surgery to complete their own transition.
I am eventually going forward toward surgery. But the policy logic fallacy that it still is discriminatory practice. Which I for one will not stand for.

As for reserves, the medical outline per policy statements it is still looking like needing improvement in justification of movement of how specifics are require, which I would need to follow suit with my own insurance, which I can probably do. But with as little time I do have between all of it, scheduling appointments, with the specifics, I need a slight more non working timeframe to get my own going.