Gender Therapist in the UK

[VickyS]

Hi all,

I think I have reached the end of the road with my current 'general' therapist.  She's lovely but other than a sounding board is not giving me much help.  She's doesn't specialise in gender issues but at the start was very useful as just someone unrelated to me to talk freely to who would not judge.

The only things I have had from her are:  be yourself, put yourself first, be more assertive and that I have a distorted view of my father (which was useful actually).

But I have had no coping mechanisms as such to get through each day when GD is gnawing at me or when my wife is putting me through hell for being trans.

I am thinking of changing therapist, so I have been trying to find a gender therapist in the UK and I am struggling.  I have been looking at the counselling directory and have found one that lists gender dysphoria as part of his areas of counselling that he deals with.  I guess my question is:  what defines a gender therapist and is he one as he lists gender dysphoria as one of his areas of expertise. Is gender therapist a US term and does the UK have a different way of saying the same thing?

Also, the following statement on his website encouraged me:

I am openly gay in my professional as well as my personal life and hold progressive views about life and our identities, promoting a liberal, positive view of difference and diversity in our society and our cultures. My counselling is LGBTQ affirmative, which means I will fully accept your sexual and gender identity, whatever it may be and however fluid, and do not view these essential parts of who you are as characteristics that need treating or changing.

He is a little more expensive at £48 per session (1 hour) - as opposed to my last therapist (£35 per session), but it could well be more than worth it!

Thanks all in advance for your opinions. 

Vicky x

[Megan.]

Vicki,

I work with a therapist who I found via the Pink Therapy register.
She's a psychosexual therapist, but had previous experience working with some trans* people. She's a registered member of CORST.

Over almost 4 years we've both learned alot.

She's in North Hertfordshire, PM me if you'd like her contact details.

X

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[Dena]

You have used this site long enough to know what to look for. Query the therapist about their experience working with trans patients and training in trans matters. If your not comfortable with the answers, this may not be the person for you. It's possible to be a gender therapist and work only with gay patients. This show an open mind but they may not have the experience your looking for.

[VickyS]

Hi Megan,

Thanks for the info.  I'd much prefer face to face if I can, so Hertfordshire might be a little too far to travel, but I will certainly bear yours in mind if I draw a blank elsewhere.  Thanks though for the pink therapy register info, I had not heard of that one! I'll start searching! x

Dena,

Very true, I should really know what to look for.    As always, you have made some very good points which I might well have overlooked in my haste to find another therapist.  I will ask about the training and experience with trans patients and matters and if I don't like the replies then I won't use them.  That could save me many hours of frustration and money.  Thank you once again.  x