Finding a therapist

[randim]

Unfortunately, my inner mental gymnast isn't working like she used to. I need to go into therapy I think. I feel tired, confused, unhappy and scared.  I would really like to find someone with expertise in TG issues.  Unfortunately, I don't know anyone who could give me a personal referral.  I have tried googling and looking at LGBT resource pages for my area, and there are some possibilities there.  Any other ideas?

[DawnOday]

Don't use the Psychology Today reference because they may list as therapists, few are gender therapists. And some are religious conversion therapists. One of the best resources I know of, is to locate a local Transgender support group. Most have local resources. I've updated many support groups in our Links file above. Give one in your area a call. Maybe if you list your location, I can do a focused search using SEO tools. I've been having good success with that.

[randim]

Don't use the Psychology Today reference because they may list as therapists, few are gender therapists. And some are religious conversion therapists. One of the best resources I know of, is to locate a local Transgender support group. Most have local resources. I've updated many support groups in our Links file above. Give one in your area a call. Maybe if you list your location, I can do a focused search using SEO tools. I've been having good success with that.

Thanks, I will look into that.  I know there are some groups in this area.  I don't know what they might provide beyond support meetings.  My area is the Research Triangle in N.C. (Raleigh,Durham,Chapel Hill).

[KathyLauren]

I know there are some groups in this area.  I don't know what they might provide beyond support meetings.

The most important thing they provide is networking.  Most people in a support group will know a therapist that they can recommend, since most of us have to see one at some point in our journey.  You not only get names, but recommendations.  It is a great place to start.

[Stevi]

randim,

There is some good support in the Raleigh area.  You should be able to find a couple of tg therapists in that area.  I live in a bit east of you in the New Bern area.  I have no close options but I did find an excellent therapist in Wilmington.  Wilmington is a little closer to me than Raleigh is.  If you would like, I can give you the contact information for my therapist.  If all else fails, she might be able to give you some help with locating a good therapist closer to you.

Stevi

[warlockmaker]

I was very successful using the Internet to  find gender therapist that uses telephone or Skype. The fist was a wonderful lady who worked in conjunction with a famous gender clinic. Later I decided to try another an older person with over 35 years experienve. He was just the greatest and I owe him for who I am today, female tg,  happy, confident, positive and at peace. Not only was he my therapist, he was also my mentor and guide. I consulted him for over 3 years until my srs.

As some have already said LGBT groups are also a great source and research any therapist from the net, carefully.

[DawnOday]

Durham Crisis Response Center • 206 N Dillard Street, Durham NC 27701 • 919-403-6562 • crisisline@durhamcrisisresponse.org • Website • Facebook • Twitter • DCRC works with the community to end domestic and sexual violence through advocacy, education, support and prevention. Services provided free include: 24-hour crisis line, hospital and court accompaniment, and individual/support group counseling.
El Centro Hispano • 600 E. Main St, Durham NC 27701 • 919-687-4638 • jalegria@elcentronc.org • Website • Facebook • El Centro Hispano (ECH) is a 501(c)(3) grassroots community based organization dedicated to strengthening the Hispanic/Latino community and improving the quality of life of Hispanic/Latino residents in Durham, Carrboro, Chapel Hill and surrounding areas.
Emerald Doulas, LLC (Doula Services and Support Groups) • 5315 Highgate Drive Suite 202, Durham NC 27713 • 919-864-8361 • info@emeralddoulas.com • Website • Facebook • Emerald Doulas is a full-service doula agency which values and supports all families, regardless of how they're created. Our doulas, educators and group leaders strive to provide a safe space for all new families and parents.
LGBT Center of Raleigh • 324 South Harrington Street • 919-832-4484 • info@lgbtcenterofraleigh.com • Website • Facebook • Twitter • LinkedIn • To strengthen individual and community development through social and educational activities; to facilitate the incubation of supportive services and groups; and to identify needs and advocate for resources benefiting the diverse LGBT population.
Orange County Rape Crisis Center • 1506 East Franklin St Suite 302, Chapel Hill NC 27514 • 919-967-7273 • info@ocrcc.org • Website • Facebook • The Orange County Rape Crisis Center offers survivors of sexual violence and their loved ones support through a 24/7 Help Line, referrals, accompaniment and support groups. The OCRCC also offers a support group for LGBTQ-identified survivors.
PFLAG Triangle • 814 Dixie Trail, Raleigh NC 27607 • 919-354-2999 • pflagtriangle@gmail.com • Website • Facebook • PFLAG Triangle is a volunteer organization made up of parents, family, friends, allies and lgbt individuals working together to provide support, advocacy and education for the lgbt community and public. Monthly support meetings in Raleigh and Durham
Triangle Empowerment Center, Inc. • 1415 Holloway Street Suite B12, Durham NC 27701 • 800-806-3558 • triangleempowermentcenter@yahoo.com • Website • Facebook • A non-profit organization that currently provides a variety of services to at-risk minority health disparities and anyone in crisis and in need of empowerment. This includes (but not limited to) HIV/STI testing, counseling prevention, etc.
Wellness and Educaiton Community Action Health Network (WECAHN) • 401A North Ivey Ave, Siler City NC 27344 • 919-742-3762 • ricky@wecahn.org • Website • Facebook • Twitter • WECAHN provides HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis C, Gonorrhea and Chlamydia testing, prevention education and HIV Case Management in 7 base counties of which Durham is one. We provide referral service to care for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Yoga for Queers and Misfits • 204-208 Rigsbee #201, Durham NC 27701 • durhambodyworkandyoga@gmail.com • Website • Donation-based, all-levels yoga for queer, trans*, gender nonconforming, and otherwise 'othered' folks.

[randim]

Many thanks!

[blackcat]

Also, if something doesn't feel right - it's okay to try someone else. I went running and screaming from my first therapist's office and it was the best decision I ever made. I'm so glad I tried someone else because the difference was night and day.

Ironically, the shady one didn't offer a free consult, but the awesome one did.

I ended up finding the one worth my time by looking at surgeons in the area, and seeing who they recommended to get letters for surgery.

[Donna]

Don't use the Psychology Today reference because they may list as therapists, few are gender therapists. And some are religious conversion therapists. One of the best resources I know of, is to locate a local Transgender support group. Most have local resources. I've updated many support groups in our Links file above. Give one in your area a call. Maybe if you list your location, I can do a focused search using SEO tools. I've been having good success with that.

I used that site myself but I made sure that transgender was a primary item in the office list and not listed under relationships. I found a counselor that is herself transgender. We hit it off right away