Rethinking my treatment strategy

[Papillon]

I'm starting to rethink my strategy.

I am on the waiting list for counselling via my GP and I really want to make best use of it as I don't intend to do it again any time soon.

Now, my original intention was that this should be my first, official step on the road and that I would use it to decide whether or not I would take The Big Step and transition (I don't need it to clarify whether or not I believe I am transsexual.  I am pretty damned clear on that one).

However, something else occured to me.  What if I am not diagnosed as "having" gender identity disorder when I go for assessment with the gender specialist and so am not eligible for any treatment under the NHS?  That would also scupper any attempts to get treatment privately.  I would have wasted three months waiting and three months agonising over The Decision with my counsellor, only to be unable to do anything about it because of the gender specialist's decision.  And, having finished counselling, I would have no support to deal with that situation.

So, my current thought is, should I seek a (private) diagnosis with a gender specialist now and then use the counselling to help me deal with whatever the outcome is?  Or am I just being impatient?

Anyone any thoughts on this?

[no_id]

As far as I'm aware counselors don't exactly give a yay or ney stamp after the first (few) sessions. I guess that's why they call it counselling... That means you would also have the freedom to step out at any point if you don't feel comfortable or pessimistic about how things are progressing and go private then. No diagnosis = No disagnosis = A pretty empty plate to munch on for any other professional, especially if you express you simply weren't comfortable with the previous counselor.

That's pretty much my two cents really, and oh, as a third one: take a deep breath and good luck.

[Papillon]

THanks for that, no_id.  But I think I need to clarify.  The person offering the counselling and the person making the psych assessment will be two different people with two different tasks.  The counselling is to be just that.  I am coming out of a prolonged period of depression and my GP offered counselling when I felt able to use it.  I do now, and asked if the counsellor could be someone with some knowledge or understanding of gender identity issues as I would need to talk about those.  And my GP agreed.

Now, the diagnosis (or not, as the case may be) would come from a gender specialist.  A different person.  And I am intending to go privately for this, as doing this via the NHS might take forever and I am not confident that there is anyone in my area who would know what the hell they were doing with this anyway.  So, I am intending at the moment to go with Dr Richard Curtis, who would also be able to prescribe T, I believe.  I would like my GP to produce a referral letter and be happy with that move as I feel I need to keep her on board.

So, you see, the referral to Dr Curtis could happen whenever I can get an appointment and have chatted with my GP.  So, before or after the counselling.  I now am pondering on making that appt sooner rather than later.

*takes the deep breath*  I think I am going to need all the luck I can get!

[no_id]

THanks for that, no_id.  But I think I need to clarify.  The person offering the counselling and the person making the psych assessment will be two different people with two different tasks.  The counselling is to be just that.  I am coming out of a prolonged period of depression and my GP offered counselling when I felt able to use it.  I do now, and asked if the counsellor could be someone with some knowledge or understanding of gender identity issues as I would need to talk about those.  And my GP agreed.

Now, the diagnosis (or not, as the case may be) would come from a gender specialist.  A different person.  And I am intending to go privately for this, as doing this via the NHS might take forever and I am not confident that there is anyone in my area who would know what the hell they were doing with this anyway.  So, I am intending at the moment to go with Dr Richard Curtis, who would also be able to prescribe T, I believe.  I would like my GP to produce a referral letter and be happy with that move as I feel I need to keep her on board.

So, you see, the referral to Dr Curtis could happen whenever I can get an appointment and have chatted with my GP.  So, before or after the counselling.  I now am pondering on making that appt sooner rather than later.

*takes the deep breath*  I think I am going to need all the luck I can get!

Aha, well that upped my understanding a bit of NHS versus Private then. Merci.
Really though, seems to me like you've already made a decision then based on that reply.

[Papillon]

Well, yes, I am 80% decided.  However, I have promised myself and my family that I would not take the decision lightly and that I would ponder it over with the counsellor before committing myself.  I owe everyone that, I think.

[no_id]

Well, yes, I am 80% decided.  However, I have promised myself and my family that I would not take the decision lightly and that I would ponder it over with the counsellor before committing myself.  I owe everyone that, I think.

Hmm I think there's a difference between not being 100% certain/decided and having doubt. If you don't have any doubt then it doesn't matter how certain you really are and vice versa. But that's just my take on it. I think it's only good you're giving this a vast amount of thought. Hopefully someone with more experience with NHS etc will reply to this thread to give you some more factual rather than philosohpical input.

[~Jay~]

Good luck with what you decide to go with, I hate the stress of waiting and not knowing whats going to happen next I guess I'll findout more whats going to happen with me next week at the Drs.

[Papillon]

Thanks no_id.  Yup, I have to give this thought as transitioning would seriously affect a number of people very close to me and I wouldn't want to put them through that unless I have to.  This is the largest chunk of the doubt; whether I can carry on without changing anything.

Jay, you are going to keep us updated on progress there, aren't you?

Kvall, all of the above.  But I guess I have to look at the worst case scenario in order to not be taken by surprise.  My first contact with the NHS regarding gender identity issues was not good (bloody bigot of a GP, not mine, thank the gods).  I guess I am therefore braced to encounter someone similar.

Anyway, looks as though I might be starting counselling in the next few weeks and will make an appt with my GP for next week to see what she has to say about it all.

Thanks again for the help.

[~Jay~]

Yep I'll post about what the dr says next week when I go, and good luck with your appointment with your GP I was very nervous about going to see mine I'm not so nervous about going next week as I was before.