Choosing the right therapist...

[Suzy]

Tristan,

The price of your therapist is more reasonable than mine.  Are you saying she wants you to come every week?  Yes it takes time for a recommendation for HRT.  But you are doing well.  Yes, this can be quite expensive.

Hang on, sweetie and don't get discouraged.



Kristi

[Danya]

The price seems about right, I pay $100/hour and I have been going for almost a year. I have seen my therapist perhaps 15 times.

It is expensive but within reach, just keep at it 

[tunak]

thank you for the motivation! I need to find a way to fund my transition.

[Renate]

3 months of therapy could be 3, 6, 12 or 24 sessions depending on your needs and your therapist's inclinations.

[Cadence Jean]

thank you for the motivation! I need to find a way to fund my transition.

Get a roommate or life at home.  Housing is the number one money sapper.  If you can find some way to lessen the financial burden of room and board, the more money you will have to apply/save toward your medical expenses.

Sounds like you found the right therapist, Tristan.  She certainly has the credentials.  Did you feel that connection with her?  I think the big thing to look for in a therapist is not someone who is going to tell you what to do or how to feel  or who you should be before/during/after transition.  I think, and my therapist seems to agree, that they should be guides along this journey.  The way that we have been describing it, is a "professional friendship".  It's kind of like I 'm paying her to be my buddy, but she also happens to be a buddy who can write me referral letters.  My therapist is awesome though - she is extremely laid back, very conscientious of my needs and goals, and wants to see me develop into the person that I feel I am in my soul.  And she's a lesbian - which is a super bonus for me because that's the sexual preference I identify with.

[tunak]

thank you for your advice

Yes she is extremely nice. She said to think of her as my 'gate keeper' for the trans world. If i need help or need resources that she'll be the source for them. Actually for the next session, she wants me to meet one of her other trans client im excited. its kinda like to 'shadow' her. Oh and my therapist is also a lesbian.
Post Merge: September 26, 2009, 06:24:48 PM
Also, i am not getting ahead of myself but i do wonder the cost of HRT... Doctor's visits, Blood/Lab works and the Hormones themselves? I want to have a rough idea of how much i would need to save up for HRT IF i do decide to transition in the future. Thanks ladies

P.S. sry for all the annoying questions >-<'

[Meshi]

^My question would be is why this therapist needs 3 months to determine whether or not you are transgendered??  Heck, i got my evaluation for SRS in one secession!  Like i said, i told my general therapist that i was transgendered and i had been taking estradiol and spironolactone for 6 months before ever seeing a dr, so she advised me to at least get blood work done, and so when i went for the blood work, he put me on what i was already taking, but just gave me a script for it. I found that some therapists are only all about the money and not really wanting to get to the point until they get alot of $ out of you.  You simply dont need 3 months to get an evaluation for hrt.  Id find another therapist for sure.

[MaggieB]

Some therapists charge on a sliding scale. Mine charged $30 a session. I went weekly and for about a year.  I was already on DIY HRT so she gave me a letter instantly to see a GP from Planned Parenthood who charged ~$100 for a quick blood screening and the basic exam. Estrace pills are $10 for 100 2 mg tabs which lasts 50 days.  Spiro still comes from "inhouse" as they have the best price. $105 for 300 100 mg tabs.

I got my SRS letter after a couple months but could have had it sooner but my issues were and have always been how to get my family to cooperate with me.

So It doesn't have to be expensive but there certainly are those in the business who rake in big money from our population.  I spend about $20 a month on HRT and my friend who goes with implants spends $135 a month.  She went to an endo who charged $400 for the initial visit.

Maggie