Wanted: affordable therapist near NYC

[Nygeel]

I'll explain my whole situation, and give a TL; DR very quick summary with some questions.

I've been living as close to full time as I can (as male) for about 3 years now. A year and a half/two years ago I started seeing a therapist at a nearby college that changed only $20 a session. It was the only therapist I could afford in the area that knew what GID was.

To back track even further I was in college (community college) and decided to become active in my transition. I went to the school's psychology therapy department type thinger (no idea what it's called) to speak with a counselor, somebody with experience. I pretty much said "I'm female bodied, identify as a man and would like to start counseling so I can start T and become physically male." I was told that I was pulling the cart before the horse, blah blah blah. They set me up with somebody that worked within the school I was attending.

I go into my session and find out that the woman I was supposed to talk to had never heard of transgender, or gender identity disorder. She had googled it before hand and still asked me the questions that we all find to be somewhat pointless. She asked me "how do you know you're a man?" which I quickly replied "how do you know you're a woman?" She ended up looking up therapists in the area through some database that let's you search state certified therapists in the county by types of therapy. There was an "LGB" section, which we called a few people about the T. None of them felt as if they had enough experience. We ended up calling the LGBT center in the nearby city (hour commute) which said I didn't need a therapist to start hormones. There was a therapist also in the city that charged $120 a session (which is supposed to be an "affordable" price with a "reasonable" discount). Pretty much couldn't find anybody within my budget since I had no insurance. I called the local counseling places which referred me to the college program I had originally wrote about.

I had an intake, and therapy sessions for about 3 months. I would spill every last thing out that could possibly be gender related into those sessions. I cried at every session because I was just so frustrated with this whole system. After 3 months I didn't feel as if I was getting anywhere closer to what I wanted, and I ran out of stuff to say (for the most part). I took a long hiatus from therapy but feel as if now is the right time to go back. My mind has settled and I think I can explain myself better.

TL;DR
It took me a long time to get a therapist. I went for 3 months and felt like it was getting nowhere. That was about a year and a half ago, and now I'm looking to make progress.

So, I have pretty much 2 questions. Does anybody know of some VERY AFFORDABLE therapists in the NYC area? Do I need a therapist/are there endocrinologists that will prescribe me T without therapy?

[Lachlann]

Generally speaking, it will probably take 3-4 months for an assessment and from there they'll figure out if you are ready for hormones or not.

There are some endocrinologists who don't require a letter, but you'll probably have a harder time finding those. I know Nero found a therapist that works online for around 90$ per session I think. If you can find a support group for TG then I'd suggest going and asking around. You'd be surprised how helpful it can be. It shouldn't be too hard to find one if you're near NYC. It seems everyone flocks to bigger cities.

[Nygeel]

$90 a session? Oy...that's WAY too much for me. I can barely pay the bills to the point that health bills/costs have been cut almost entirely from my budget. There is a TG support group about 20 minutes from where I live. You have to sign up to go to the group, and I'm not sure if I can even go since I work in the evenings. I know we can't duscuss hormones and stuff, but there have been times where I've thought about doing things "the wrong way" and felt as if it would be more cost efficient to self medicate.

Doing things "the right way" is just so darn hard, and expensive.

[Lachlann]

You wouldn't want to give yourself a dose that would be harmful, so I'd keep looking or find a way to pay.

Trust me, I was in the same position you were not too long ago. Keep trying.

[Nygeel]

I came up with an idea of dosage that would've worked after doing a whole bunch of research (not going to get into details).

[Lachlann]

I came up with an idea of dosage that would've worked after doing a whole bunch of research (not going to get into details).

But you wouldn't have the adequate means to check your levels which is the important part. When you're on T they have to check that all the time so they know something bad isn't happening to your body. They adjust the dosages according to this. And that's why people say don't do it yourself, because bad things can happen when you have no clue about your levels. They take your blood before T for a reason.

Was the clinic you went to this one?: Transgender Health and Education Clinic of Community Health Project

Because they say they have it around 20$.

I'm seeing quite a few therapists in NYC on The Transitional Male. One of them with sliding scale fees.

Try and see if it's possible to go to that support group, or even just e-mail them or phone them explaining your situation. A phone call can be extremely helpful. That's how I found someone to see, by finally phoning a support group and having someone help me find a therapist.

If that doesn't work, I'd suggest going back to therapy where you were originally. Remember, 3 months isn't that long even though it feels like it. You can't rush these things, as much as people hate hearing it, you have to be patient in the process.

[Nygeel]

No...I didn't go to that one, and I googled that name (can't find it). If it's actually in NYC that's about an hour to get there, and an additional $25-$30 to get there and back. The thing with my original therapist is that I literally ran out of things to say. Within 3 months I told them my entire life story up to that point. It was emotionally draining and for some reason I started over analyzing my gender. I feel like...5 years of self identifying as male, and 3 years being out would be enough to satisfy a therapist.

Aaaaand as for dosages...I was going to do it somewhat under a doctor's care. I figured I could do it for a few months then go to an endo to see if my T levels are in the range of a male. If the levels are "abnormally high" for a female then I could go to therapy and explain to them that I'm trans and have been DIY-ing.

Part of the reason why I'm being impatient and wanting it now is because I pass maybe .1% of the time. I've grown to be even more uncomfortable with my body, annoyed that clothes don't fit me as they should, etc.

[Linus]

Have you tried Callen-Lorde (in manhattan near the LGBTQ Center)? Where in NY State are you? I know one or two trans individuals that are outside of NYC, north a bit that might know of resources in those areas.

[Nygeel]

I spoke to somebody at Callen-Lorde. They said therapy would be around $100 a session. They don't take the insurance that I have. I'm on Long Island...

[Linus]

Is this therapy to get a perscription on T or for personal options? The reason I ask is that when I went to Callen-Lorde they had me see a social worker (30 min and covered by medical) and that was it. Is it that your insurance won't cover the session or will it not cover even a doctor's visit to Callen-Lorde?

[Nygeel]

I just want it for T. Callen-Lorde told me they don't accept my insurance at all. I never spoke to the insurance company. I just got it a couple months ago, and this is my first time having health insurance.

[Linus]

Hrmm... I'll have to ask around. It's too bad because they've been pretty good (Blue Cross/Anthem and a few others are accepted; I'm surprised that the one you have isn't).
Post Merge: November 06, 2009, 06:28:46 PM
Oh.. just dawned on me: have you checked out http://www.chnnyc.org/ ? They are extremely trans friendly and run an excellent program.

[Nygeel]

Hmm...that might work, but it's still an hour commute that costs about $20.

[Lachlann]

Aaaaand as for dosages...I was going to do it somewhat under a doctor's care. I figured I could do it for a few months then go to an endo to see if my T levels are in the range of a male. If the levels are "abnormally high" for a female then I could go to therapy and explain to them that I'm trans and have been DIY-ing.

It's more than just T levels that they have to be aware of. Which is why it's important to have doctors who are aware of your situation first. They have to take your blood beforehand before you get any T at all because you have to be aware of everything pre-T. You can't just start giving yourself shots.

Hmm...that might work, but it's still an hour commute that costs about $20.

Is there anyway you can make the extra 20$? Or find someone to drive you down who will pay for it? Second jobs, anything that you can sell at all? Testosterone might not even be covered by your insurance, so you might have to be prepared to spend more than just 20$.

If you really want to try, see if there is an endocrinologist in your area that will take informed consent. It's a shot in the dark but you just might be able to find one.

[Nygeel]

I wasn't going to give myself a shot. I wouldn't even know how to. I was planning on getting some basic pre-t bloodwork done at a clinic (stuff that I've found on the internet as being the tests pre-t).

I have a car but the problem is that there would be nowhere to park, and I don't know of anybody that is off on days I have off. I know that T will cost me a decent chunk out of pocket, but that's the thing. If I don't have to pay for a therapist then that means I can have more money for essentials, and money for savings for top surgery/T. It's not entirely about paying the $20 to get there and back, but rather that it's going to be $20 every week for an unknown period of time. If I have to go once a week for 4 months...that's $320! If the sessions end up being $50 per session then that's another $800.

[Linus]

Nygeel, the CHN in the Bronx specifically has a program to help young trans men. It may be worth the $20 and might be far cheaper on the sessions, if any. I would give them a call, explain your situation and go from there. A lot of guys I know that can't use Callen-Lorde or have to wait with them, find that CHN works much better and is more flexible.

[Nygeel]

I've heard about the one in the Bronx...it's a bit of a longer commute than the one in Queens (I was planning on talking to them). I'll see what can be done.