Going to therapy dressed

[Danielle Kristina]

I'm not out full time yet, though someday I hope that'll change.  One thing my therapist offered to do was let me dress as myself for our sessions.  Besides wearing a pair of women's jeans and a unisex transgender flag shirt, my clothing has been pretty androgynous when we meet.  She said I could change in her office before our session and then change back as I prepare to leave.  I haven't yet done more than this, but tomorrow is my next session and I think tomorrow I'll take her up on that offer.  I really don't like taking "me" off, but at the same time I'm not ready to be "out."

Here's to mustering up the courage to be who I am!

[Northern Star Girl]

I'm not out full time yet, though someday I hope that'll change.  One thing my therapist offered to do was let me dress as myself for our sessions.  Besides wearing a pair of women's jeans and a unisex transgender flag shirt, my clothing has been pretty androgynous when we meet.  She said I could change in her office before our session and then change back as I prepare to leave.  I haven't yet done more than this, but tomorrow is my next session and I think tomorrow I'll take her up on that offer.  I really don't like taking "me" off, but at the same time I'm not ready to be "out."

Here's to mustering up the courage to be who I am!

@Danielle Kristina
Dear Danielle
You go girl....  I am so glad that you are taking this important step...  this will not only help you but also will help your therapist tailor the sessions for the "new" you.

Please update us all with the results and how you feel being out there as Danielle, baby steps first at you therapists office then perhaps more brave moves as time goes on...

Hugs and well wishes,
Danielle (The Alaskan One)

[Jaime320]

Good luck. It's scary at first. I'm not out full time, but I've gone out several times in a large city now. My advice everyone for most part is in their own world. Go where nobody knows you, and you feel safe. Oh and most of all HAVE FUN. I plan to go to my first ever therapy session as me also. Sounds like you've found a good therapist and she wants you to be comfortable.

[LizK]

I'm not out full time yet, though someday I hope that'll change.  One thing my therapist offered to do was let me dress as myself for our sessions.  Besides wearing a pair of women's jeans and a unisex transgender flag shirt, my clothing has been pretty androgynous when we meet.  She said I could change in her office before our session and then change back as I prepare to leave.  I haven't yet done more than this, but tomorrow is my next session and I think tomorrow I'll take her up on that offer.  I really don't like taking "me" off, but at the same time I'm not ready to be "out."

Here's to mustering up the courage to be who I am!

You go for it Danielle, life is far too short. We get one go around in this life and its up to us to drag the best out of every day. To live our live authentically when we are able too If you feel confident to go home dressed do it...99.9% of people won't t and don't take notice and the other .01% aren't worth worrying about,,,.be safe in what ever you decide. Make sure of your way to get back to your home and if its driving then ensure your route from the therapist to your car is also safe.


Here's to mustering the courage...you go girl!!

Take care

Liz

[sarah1972]

I'm not out full time yet, though someday I hope that'll change.  One thing my therapist offered to do was let me dress as myself for our sessions.  Besides wearing a pair of women's jeans and a unisex transgender flag shirt, my clothing has been pretty androgynous when we meet.  She said I could change in her office before our session and then change back as I prepare to leave.  I haven't yet done more than this, but tomorrow is my next session and I think tomorrow I'll take her up on that offer.  I really don't like taking "me" off, but at the same time I'm not ready to be "out."

Here's to mustering up the courage to be who I am!

I like your Therapists idea. It is a safe environment. You can get there and back without having to be dressed and it will give you a chance to finally be yourself in a half public/half private setting. My Therapist was the first place outside my immediate environment I went to fully dressed. Your Therapist is there to help you and tries to be encouraging.

You can do it girl!

[Jin]

Bravo!

[Michelle_P]

Your therapist's idea sounds good.

My experience was that going through therapy sessions dressed and expressing myself made me more comfortable, more open with my therapist, and very likely helped me to progress in treatment more rapidly than if I had presented as male.   I went dressed to all appointments after my initial one, except for one joint session with my former wife (her rules).

I actually dressed at home and drove there.  I was so nervous the first time, plotting and planning where to park, how to get into the office, and so on.  The therapist would come out into the lobby to bring in the next patient to their office (Kaiser, big lobby and many patients!).  They did not spot me sitting quietly in a corner, so I stood and walked over to them.  Nice double-take, and "Oh!  There you are.  This way...".

[Danielle Kristina]

I did it!  And it was empowering!!!  Thank you all for the encouragement!!

[Northern Star Girl]

I did it!  And it was empowering!!!  Thank you all for the encouragement!!

@Danielle Kristina:
Dear Danielle:
<<<< Very  HAPPY  for  YOU >>>>
Please know that as you do it again and again it will get easier each time...
... confidence and self assurance will keep increasing.

Thanks for sharing your good and happy news.
Hugs,
Danielle (the Alaskan one)

[LizK]

I did it!  And it was empowering!!!  Thank you all for the encouragement!!

Nicely done Danielle...it gets easier each time and then one day you are moaning because you cant find a top to go with your skirt or you can't get your makeup the way you want.

Congrats

Liz


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[Sonja]

I'm not out full time yet, though someday I hope that'll change.  One thing my therapist offered to do was let me dress as myself for our sessions.  Besides wearing a pair of women's jeans and a unisex transgender flag shirt, my clothing has been pretty androgynous when we meet.  She said I could change in her office before our session and then change back as I prepare to leave.  I haven't yet done more than this, but tomorrow is my next session and I think tomorrow I'll take her up on that offer.  I really don't like taking "me" off, but at the same time I'm not ready to be "out."

Here's to mustering up the courage to be who I am!

@Danielle Kristina

Hey Danielle,
It seems we are one day apart! - I had my first therapy session yesterday and went out 'dressed' wearing a t-shirt bra, striped womens top, black jeans and my pointy flats. I drove there like that so I sneaked my way past my neighbours but felt a little more brave at the car park at the place I was going - luckily in an area where I hardly know anyone. It was also great to be greeted by my therapist with my new name and she was really lovely to talk to.

Exciting times!  Take care,

Sonja.

[CarlyMcx]

Let's hear it for stretch cotton soft cup T shirt bras, Andro looking women's T shirts, and skinny jeans!

I wore a lot of that during my early transition.  Flats or women's sneaks complete the outfit.

I am so happy for you that you are venturing out!

[pamelamoore2706]

I'm not out full time yet, though someday I hope that'll change.  One thing my therapist offered to do was let me dress as myself for our sessions.  Besides wearing a pair of women's jeans and a unisex transgender flag shirt, my clothing has been pretty androgynous when we meet.  She said I could change in her office before our session and then change back as I prepare to leave.  I haven't yet done more than this, but tomorrow is my next session and I think tomorrow I'll take her up on that offer.  I really don't like taking "me" off, but at the same time I'm not ready to be "out."

Here's to mustering up the courage to be who I am!

I think that's brilliant of your therapist and a great opportunity for you. I transitioned full time 15 months ago (oh the joy!) but I remember the one therapy session I did in London where I didn't go as me and it was very awkward and I never did relax. Every session I did after that I was always just me. Though my first trip to London was a little scary I remember!
You go girl!
Pammie. Xx


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[DawnOday]

Emily started complaining that I wasn't showing up dressed. I started out slowly to where I go out a couple nights a week to my support meetings now days. I also wander out on Capital Hill every so often. One day I showed up looking pretty good, so she sent me to the bakery across the street to get some cocoa and chocolate croissant. It was my first co mingling with the world and it was far easier than I ever imagined. Right now I'm envious of two friends who had GRS in the last three weeks.Evie and Caroline.  Emily my coach has done many things to encourage me and for that I love her and miss her But I do talk like a lady thanks to her.

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[Danielle Kristina]

It really felt great to be dressed during my session.  I was nervous at first, since this was my first time I let someone else see me dressed.  I'm glad I did it though, and likely I'll dress for my sessions from here on out.  I'm becoming me a little bit more every day!!!

[Michelle_P]

Like Dawn's Emily, my therapist started giving me little challenges after a few visits.  "What are you doing when you leave here?"  "Um, going home."  "Do you like coffee?  There's a good coffee shop next door.  Why don't you drop in there?"

Oooookay.  I went into the coffee shop, scared to death, ordered a coffee in what I hoped would be a feminine voice, sat there  and drank it, then rushed to the car.

Next time... "After coffee, do you need to do some grocery shopping?"  *SIGH*. The grocery store on the other side of the parking lot... OK, I did that...

A month later, I'm going out to breakfast before my appointment, seeing a movie afterward, doing the grocery shopping after the movie...

I found I was finding things to do so I wouldn't have to go home and change back to 'him.'

[pamelamoore2706]

Like Dawn's Emily, my therapist started giving me little challenges after a few visits.  "What are you doing when you leave here?"  "Um, going home."  "Do you like coffee?  There's a good coffee shop next door.  Why don't you drop in there?"

Oooookay.  I went into the coffee shop, scared to death, ordered a coffee in what I hoped would be a feminine voice, sat there  and drank it, then rushed to the car.

Next time... "After coffee, do you need to do some grocery shopping?"  *SIGH*. The grocery store on the other side of the parking lot... OK, I did that...

A month later, I'm going out to breakfast before my appointment, seeing a movie afterward, doing the grocery shopping after the movie...

I found I was finding things to do so I wouldn't have to go home and change back to 'him.'

That's wonderful!  Well done you! And now you know you can spend more and more time as yourself! X


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[Jessica_K]

That is so brave. I do not have a therapist yet but I set myself tasks. Only very small task. Yesterday I walked out dressed for the first time. Only a hundred metres up the road in street lighting. Passed a couple of people on the other side of the road and a number of cars passed, bet none saw me.  I will be doing it again today going a bit further. My next task is to walk to the town and back

[Tara P]

It really felt great to be dressed during my session.  I was nervous at first, since this was my first time I let someone else see me dressed.  I'm glad I did it though, and likely I'll dress for my sessions from here on out.  I'm becoming me a little bit more every day!!!

That's great!  It's really cool how your therapist is encouraging you too.  It's a big step so totally understable you'd be nervous but it's great that you can just be yourself more. 

[Jaime320]

It really felt great to be dressed during my session.  I was nervous at first, since this was my first time I let someone else see me dressed.  I'm glad I did it though, and likely I'll dress for my sessions from here on out.  I'm becoming me a little bit more every day!!!

Glad you had a great experience. Baby steps. You don't have to jump in the deep end right off. You can dip a toe in the water at first and work up to swimming.