The title says it all. I'm Transgendered in Idaho, and I think I'm one of very few, which is kind of an issue for me because right now I feel really singled out. All I really hear about is Transgender folk off in California or Florida and other places that arnt soooo... Iunno, Idahoish?
Anyways, being alone isnt a HUGE thing, but it means that its harder than hell to find a therapist who knows what to do for a transgendered person.
There is one gender therapist that I know of in Boise, but I'm about 200 miles away from his office, so its not really an option unless I go up there for college, which I highly doubt I will (Community college all the way for me!).
I'm hoping to start therapy this winter if I manage to land a part time job, flipping burgers or something, to help pay for it. I'm only 17 so I'm not looking for a letter for surgery or a T prescription at this exact moment, but I want to get the ball rolling. I'm actually wanting to start college as a male, so that gives me until next fall (when I'm planning on starting classes) to get everything going, and I'm hoping I'll be on T by then, or at least getting ready to start.
So a big problem I am having is finding a therapist that's not going to be a big waist of time and who will actually be willing to help me. I've actually found one that I'm interested in, but I'm not sure how I would tell her straight out what I was there for. And if I did tell her and she couldn't help me, then I'd be back to square one and be needing to find a therapist again.
Can anyone help me and give me advice on what I should be looking for in a therapist or how I would tell them that I know I am trans, but that I need a doctor to to give me a paper that says so? Its really an awkward situation since I really have no one I can turn to and ask for help. I am out to my girlfriend and very few of my friends (They've all been extremely supportive) but not my parents or my sister.
My sister would most likely be okay with it all, but my parents... yeah, not so much.
I've already told my parents I want to start therapy, (They dont know why and I haven't bothered to give any details). Neither of my parents have attempted to talk me out of it, and if anything my mom has been more than helpful in helping me find the few good shrinks around, (I'll be paying for the sessions out of my own pocket, so they have nothing to complain about). She's even helped me modify my tri-top binder so it didn't make my arms go numb, so she knows I bind and hasn't said anything negative about it, other than the fact that she thinks I'm going to give myself boob cancer... and I've dressed like a boy since I was old enough to dress myself. I actually pass as a guy more often than not, and my mom and dad know it because they're usually the ones who correct the person who made the mistake. (I think its kinda nifty when the cashier at the store calls me Sir, but my mom gets a little upset and goes out of her way to correct them and put a very sharp emphasis on the word 'She' or 'Her' or 'Girl'.)
So that was more back ground than a question, but I figure a little info is always a good thing.
Thanks in advance for whatever help you guys can give me.
