First psychologist appt. should I be up front?

[Shauna89]

Hey everyone,

  So I finally talked to my GP about my severe anxiety and depression issues, I didn't bring up being trans. (don't know who u can trust down here in the south) So they're gonna be setting me up with a psychiatrist next week and I'm not sure if I should be up front about being trans (still in guy mode) or feel them out and deal with my other issues and work up to it. Like is it gonna be weird if I drop that on them down the road, this will be the first time I'm completely open with my issues so I'm already a nervous wreck about it.

[steph2.0]

Hi Shauna,

I see you've been struggling with this for a long time, so this is an excellent step.

If the psychiatrist is truly professional, and you have every right to expect them to be, you need to be completely honest with them or they won't be able to properly help you. They are trained to be non-judgmental and have seen it all before. They're pretty good at detecting when you're hiding something, so you're only hurting yourself if you try to play games and outthink someone who's had years of specialized training.

I experienced something like your fear when I came out to my primary care doctor. I just finally decided to demand professionalism from him, and he came through.

I was fine, and you will be, too. Just lay it out and let them do their job.

Stephanie

[Dani]

First psychologist appt. should I be up front?

Always and be totally honest with your counselor and yourself.

[Nevoxia]

I also have my first appointment with a therapist next week. I do plan to be honest, because that's the whole point of me needing to talk to someone, besides Internet forums.

I think, even if they were transphobic or something, it might be better to figure that out sooner than later so that I can find someone else without wasting more time.

I have only ever come out as transgender once before in my whole life, and that was a couple of weeks ago to my doctor. I must have stuttered and stammered and avoided eye contact for a full minute before I could get the word to come out of my mouth. But,  to my amazement, his first reaction was to thank me for being honest and praise me for my courage.

I think it will be much easier the next time I have to tell someone.