Non-Specialty Therapy

[Adio]

Something I've noticed (at least on this side of things, don't read the girls much) is that non gender therapists are shied away from or downright discouraged.  Can someone shed some light on this?  I've never been to a "gender therapist", but I've been in and out of therapy for nearly 8 years with mostly positive experiences.

The therapist that wrote my letter is not a specialist, but she is open minded about trans issues and willing to learn.  She's written carry letters for mtf clients in the past and follows the SOC.  I know without a doubt that the therapists I've had in the past would have written me my T letter as well; one of them was going to but for personal reasons I had to stop seeing him.

I'd like to hear other's experiences and opinions.  What has shaped the way you feel about non-specialists?

[FolkFanatic]

From what i understand, you're taking a BIG risk by going to non-speciality that this person won't know much about transgender/transsexual issues and won't be able to write your letters.

If you found one knowledgeable and able, thats great! But i just came out to the folks and i would rather go to someone i KNOW is knowledgeable in the field so my parents have that to fall back on, than to someone who may spout mistruths or speculations.

At the best, a non-specialist will know enough to be able to help and will follow the guidelines for writing your letters. Second best they'll know enough to send you to see a specialist for further help. Worst case they won't know a thing and may "misdiagnose" you (which could be a disaster if the parents where there with you and grabbed onto that misdiagnosis like a lifeline.)

[Carson]

I got jerked around by a therapist that I was initially seeing for depression, when we finally figured out why I was depressed(trans stuff) she told us that she was "learning from me", I'm all for education but teaching her and not getting anything (referrals, letters or otherwise) in return to help me was not worth the money I was spending every week to see her. I ended up wasting almost 6 months with her when I could have already gotten my T letter 2 times over if I had been seeing someone who knew what they were doing, or at least the courtesy to admit that they had no idea how to handle the situation(with me or my family) and refer me to someone else.

[Mark]

I go to a regular therapist, who has had minimal experience with transgenders patients(about 3-4) I asked her what she thought about writing a T letter and HRT. She said she would write one but she wasn't really sure what it was so i printed out the SOC for her and said she would look more into it. In my experience she was very willing and understanding to the trans community. idk if that answers your question

[Adio]

Thanks for the responses, guys.  From what you're giving me, it seems like the main reason a regular therapist is not the first choice is because they just simply lack the knowledge.  Some of them even seem to use us as guinea pigs or learning experiences (@Carson).  Even if they are willing, they may not understand trans and/or gender issues enough to write our letters well enough for T or surgery. 

Is that the gist of it or is there more to it?

[K8]

I'm sorry if I'm out of place here.  Please disregard if this isn't applicable, Adio.

This last week I got surgery letters from two different general therapists I've been seeing - one I saw for years, the other just to get the second letter.  Neither had written a letter before.  I am the first transsexual my main therapist ever saw.  My secondary worked for the university for a while and is more familiar with TG issues.  Both therapists have been very helpful to me.

My closest gender specialist therapist is 2 hours away.  I had a good experience but I know not everyone does.  I don't know if being MTF instead of FTM made a difference.  I would hope not.

I will now retire to the parlor and let you guys shoot pool or something.

- Kate

[myles]

I started with a general therapist. I was her first trans patient and I spent a lot of time educating her. It became apparent that she had no idea how to help me so I moved to a gender therapist. I just did not want to be her trans educator and was ready to move forward with my transition. You said yours has written letter and has seen trans patients before so that is better than what I had, and while not a gender specialist at least has some knowledge of what is going on.
Myles

[Adio]

No, you aren't out of place, Kate. I just put the thread here because I don't really look at the girl's threads and don't know if they have the same feelings/thoughts about this as I've noticed the guys do.

Congrats on your letters!  And thanks for your post.

[Hannah]

I would think general therapists are more likely to be covered by an insurance plan or work in a sliding fee clinic if that's an issue. Not everything is about being trans you now, we also have identity, depression and trauma issues. I still think talking to someone who isn't a specialist is better than not talking to anyone and just opening your wrists. Inside we are all humans, and as long as they keep that in mind and treat your brain and soul you should be able to get some benefit. If they want to start blaming everything that's wrong with you on being trans then either they are a quack or you only need a therapist for letters so it doesn't really matter anyway.

[Radar]

Not everything is about being trans you now, we also have identity, depression and trauma issues.

This is true. My psychologist deals with patients of all kinds, he just also has alot of experience with transgender patients and issues. Therefore he's covered under my insurance.