Reluctant therapist...

[jmaxley]

I've been seeing my current therapist for over a year now--I told her about my gender issues back in the spring.  I'm trying to be patient, but she's saying she thinks I need to wait another couple of months before going on T, because she wants to make sure I'm "prepared".  I think what the problem is, is she's uncomfortable writing the letter and is waiting until she's prepared.  It just really seems to me like she's dragging her feet on this.

I would get another therapist, but it's just not feasible at the moment.  And the only endo in my area willing to prescribe me T requires a letter.

So I'm wondering how I can get across to my therapist how important this is to me and that I am prepared to deal with the challenges.

I don't know how much longer I can wait, the dysphoria is growing by the day.  It's getting worse...and worse...and worse... 

[Bones]

I take it, this isn't a gender specialized psychologist...That's really a tough one. You can go all sorts of ways with this but it would have to be something that's within your personality, doesn't put you in a way that makes you look like you may harm yourself and whatnot too...I'm not sure how your doctor is but I heard from a couple people that a doc will stall the steps to getting T if they feel the patient may be suicidal and things..it's why when I met with mine, I made sure I had the most cheeriest of smiles with her.

[LordKAT]

Maybe ask if she has dealt with this issue before and what it is she thinks you need to be prepared. It is hard to prepare when you don't know what you need. Kind of like packing for a camping trip when you don't know what is needed on the trip. If she hasn't dealt with the issue before, ask if she can talk to someone who has or you may have to find another person to see. Even if it isn't so, you are paying her and deserve to know what it is you are paying for.

[sneakersjay]

The standards of care say 3 months or 12 sessions (I think, don't quote me!) but can be longer in some cases depending on other issues.  A year seems plenty long enough unless you have other issues that need to be addressed.  If it's just that your therapist isn't comfortable, then she needs to get over it! or refer you to someone who can help you.

Jay

[jmaxley]

I take it, this isn't a gender specialized psychologist...

True.  I think I'm probably her first trans patient, she's fresh out of school.


Post Merge: June 25, 2010, 12:49:25 PM

Maybe ask if she has dealt with this issue before and what it is she thinks you need to be prepared. It is hard to prepare when you don't know what you need.

Good point.  I will ask her what else she thinks I need to do to be prepared.
Post Merge: June 25, 2010, 01:54:06 PM

The standards of care say 3 months or 12 sessions (I think, don't quote me!) but can be longer in some cases depending on other issues.

I have had trouble with other issues, mainly really really bad depression, suicidal thoughts, and anxiety.  Since I've started getting ready to transition and have started taking supplements to up my T levels, and been presenting as male, all of that has lessened quite a bit.  Despite the dysphoria getting worse and worse, I've actually felt less depressed knowing that transition is so near.

Also, I'm going back to school this fall, decided to do this last week and I realized yesterday that they will have counseling services for students.  I think I will look into that in addition to seeing my current therapist.