Anyone have experience with Caroline Gibbs/The Transgender Institute?

[Roll]

So after some fumbling attempts to find someone in my neck of the woods (they either won't do online only, are too expensive, or don't have experience with gender issues), I'm back to browsing the online therapist little list here. After research on some of the names I ruled them out(Leonhardt sounds pretty bad and Budd is too expensive), and while Peveller seems to get high marks from some people I'm a little suspicious of him for legitimate therapy and not a quick hrt letter. However I can't seem to locate any online reviews (that aren't on her site) or other patient experiences for Caroline Gibbs, so I'm wondering if anyone has ever dealt with her?

My main concern with any therapist, particularly those that seem to hinge their work solely on the transgender community as Gibbs seems to, is almost less that they will be a gatekeeper (which is easy to skirt with people like Peveller) and more that they will just tell me what I want to hear. (Ie: I'm looking for a real legitimate therapist where I'm challenged in order to come out the other side more secure in the direction I'm headed for meeting the challenge.)

[Janes Groove]

My view is that if you're considering going to a place called "The Transgender Institute" then on some level you've already decided that you are on some level transgender already and they are just going to help you figure out where you are on the spectrum and how to deal with The Stigma. AKA Transphobia and shame.

In fact I kinda think that's true of most people who go to see a "gender" therapist instead of just a plain old therapist.  Most cis guys don't spend a lot of time thinking about whether on not they should go see a gender therapist.

[Roll]

Oh, I know. I've accepted that I'm on the spectrum as a given. I'm thinking more in terms of actually transitioning. I've become increasingly enthusiastic about the idea but at the same time I know I have a tendency to get worked up over something and let things get out of hand. So what started as trepidation has sort of morphed into a runaway train of excitement in my mind, and I think I owe it to myself to really figure out if that is where I should be heading before I sart doing something I can't take back. (As opposed to while certainly being transgender, not necessarily needing to transition.) Mostly I do actually want validation, but validation I can trust as sincere if that makes sense(I have this nagging fear that I'm conning myself, though I know intellectually that isn't the case it persists nonetheless).

[Janes Groove]

I get what your saying, because I went thru the same thing.  In my case all that was bargaining.  Once I crossed the Rubicon of HRT it was an immediate relief.  I felt better, I was more confident, I started getting ma'amed more, etc.  In short their wasn't a single thing I regretted.   And I, like you, fought like hell to avoid  it.   We have to take it at our own pace.  It can't be rushed.  But a gender therapist who can point out where you are bargaining and support you in getting past all the deeply embedded transphobia and shame is in my opinion worth their weight in gold. The can help us cut thru the Gordian knot AND save us crucial time (and time is the one of the essential ingredients in the transition recipe).   I'm eternally grateful for a gender therapist who pushed me, challenged me, and supported me just at the crucial moments when I was unable even to support myself.

A rule of thumb for finding a good therapist, IMO, is to find someone with expereince. Someone who has helped at least 3 or more people successfully transition.


Always remember. It's YOUR life.