On how to find a good therapist...

[assaultingthepanopticon]

I was at a conference recently for young people entering my chosen profession, and one of the bits of advice we were given went thusly: "Everyone should have a therapist.  No one is too perfect to not need one."

I've taken this advice to heart, considering I've thought about trying to find one for some time.  But I've avoided getting it done now because I'm about to move from my hometown of 19 years to a big, new city.  So I'm interested in hearing how anyone else found a therapist, especially if your experience has been good!

I'm not thinking specifically about a gender therapist, but more a general therapist.  However, since my interest is related to finding a therapist who would be a general practitioner but with the ability and skill to deal with gender-related issues, I thought I'd post here.

I mean, I'm only asking because a) I won't have a lot of time once I move to hit the pavement "trying out" various practitioners and b) I assume this is a bit more of a complicated thing than just picking a name out of the yellow pages.  But maybe I'm wrong on that?

[Miniar]

The one therapist I've spoken to, I found through creative googling.
She was mentioned on the local GLBT site, not as a "gender therapist".

[K8]

That's a good question.  (Meaning: I don't know the answer.) 

I did a little searching in the yellow pages because I thought this town was too small for the counselors to be on the internet.  (That was 5 years ago.  They probably have web pages now.)  I also asked some friends and people who I thought might have some ideas because they work in the mental health field.

Counselors, like lawyers, have areas of interest and specialization.  When I called one he turned me away because the things I was interested in at the time weren't what he was interested in.  He did give me another name, though.  (And since them I've gotten to know him in town and thank the gods that be that I didn't end up with him!)

I ended up with a woman who was helpful to me only for a while.  She is a family counselor and I found my problems weren't family problems.  (I was still working through a lot of dense underbrush that had nothing to do with my gender issues.)

Even if the first one doesn't ultimately work out, he or she may get you to a place where you are better able to find one who will.

Good luck in your search.

- Kate

[Janet_Girl]

If you are looking foe a gender therapist, call your local GLBT support group.  They usually have listings.  I found mine in the yellow pages.

If a general therapist,  try the local chapter of the APA.


Janet

[Randy]

I did a Yahoo! search: gender therapist [city name]. I contacted the first one I found who specifically mentioned trans issues. Been seeing him ever since. The funny part is that the search engine took the word "gender" to mean the gender of the therapist, not as in gender-related therapy...