Therapist rec in Portland, OR

[kimdp999]

Hello, looking for recommendations on a therapist in Portland - I'm Kimberly, 40 ish, divorced, almost at a crossroads in my life.  I guess I'm looking for the answer to who and what I really am (or who have I been denying that I really am all my life.......at least in public), and how I get from here to where I belong.  Deep down inside I know the answer to the previous question, but I'm at the tail end of a career that is completely GLBT unfriendly, so part of my dilemna is holding myself together at this point, while I look forward to the future.  I'm new here, but I've been reading the posts for a while.   

Thanks for your help
Kimberly 

[Melissa]

I just saw Dr. Reid Vanderburch in Portland yesterday.  He was wonderful.  You can check out his website at http://www.transtherapist.com/.  By the way, he's the third therapist I saw, so I had something to compare him to.  He's FTM himself.  Good luck.

Melissa

[Leigh]

Before you settle on one, check with DMV and get the list of therapists who are authorized to have the gender marker changed on your ODL.

Reid is good as Melissa said.  The one I had long ago is no longer practicing. 

While I do agree that Reid comes with excellent credentials, I  think that someone who has transitioned has certain biases and vested interests.  For that reason I just picked a name and called.  I wanted an honest unpredujicial therapist.

Leigh

[Melissa]

The thing about Dr. Reid is that he had to go through therapists milking him for all he was worth and thought he could do a lot better.  Not only I but several other people have commented that he does exactly what is needed to help you with your transition.  There are other therapists in the area (see http://www.resourcespdx.org/therapists.html for a large list), but you asked for a recommendation, so I gave it.

Melissa

[kimdp999]

Thank you very much for the candid response.  I believe word of mouth is one of the best advertising methods.  I'll plan on giving him a shot in the near future.  Here's another question/issue probably better for a larger forum.  I'd be interested in how many girls out there based their transition on whether or not they would be able to pass.  I think I've seen the subject before on here.  In the next few years that will be the only hurdle.  My biggest drawback is height.  I think with FFS and a lot of dieting I "might" be able to pass....  I fear not being able to fit in, or being the victim of discrimination or even abuse, due to being TG.

Kimberly

[Kimberly]

In times past when I was still in grade school, around age 12-14ish(?) or so I suppose, I was blindsided by the thought of if clone bodies were available and the method good, etc. then I would probably do that. In other words I did nothing because I wanted perfection, both physically and functionally. So, yes I did wait because of perceived problems of living as an imperfect female.

Fast forward a number of years and I no longer care what I look like as long as I feel correct.

[Melissa]

Well, as you transition, you will start to realize that Portland is a very accepting area, even if you are obviously trans.  I know quite a few girls who are really tall or are obvious they transitioned.  However, they never get any hassle.  Don't let the thought of others be the reason for not transitioning.  If you don't transition, let it be because you may not be TS.  When I first started transitioning, I thought I would need the works in surgery to pass.  I've been on HRT since Feb 1, and pass quite well, even when I'm not trying to.  In other words, our poor perceptions of ourselves can sometimes be worse than the reality.

Melissa

[kimdp999]

Words of wisdom:).  Thanks, only time will tell.  Whatever the outcome I do know that I will not look back on my life dissappointed that I didn't have the courage to be myself.

Kimberly