Stupid Question - What's the best type of therapist to see?

[Epigania]

Hi.

So I'm sort of confused.  I'm looking for a therapist that I can see for the long term.   I have a hard time envisioning myself opening up to someone enough for them to help me transition without wanting to stay with them for the long term for other things in life that might come up. 

I've been looking around the internet trying to figure out what all of these therapy terms mean and I'm having a hard time figuring out what type of therapist is best.   I see Gender Therapists, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Counselors, Social Workers, yada yada ....  And to make it worse, they all seem to specialize in different things.

It's all fairly confusing when your trying to plan such a big step in life.

My question to you all, what do you recommend?  I'm in W. Washington State and if anyone has any recommendations I'd surely appreciate it!

[pamshaw]

Seattle is a wonderful place to transition. Transgender Womens Resourses has good Washington therapists. Mine is there and we do some of our work over the phone. Check out Transformation Unfolding. You want someone who works full time in this area.

Pam

[Janet_Girl]

You want a gender therapist for GID. They can help with other issues and even refer you to another therapist if they are not trained in a certain area.

[sneakersjay]

One of my therapists was a LCSW and deals primarily with sexuality, sex, impotence, and GID, along with other things.  The second was a Ph.D in psychology and did general therapy (marriage, divorce, personal stuff) as well as gender issues.

If you're working through gender stuff it really helps to have someone familiar with the territory and standards of care in your corner.  My first therapist (neither of those mentioned above) was great at general stuff (life stress, divorce, etc) but when i came out to her she was clueless on gender stuff and was NOT helpful (back in the closet for you!!)  Right.


Jay

[Renate]

It depends on whether you are looking for answers and support or just working your way through the system.

Somebody with experience with GID would be best unless you already have a relationship with a therapist who wants to learn.
Having somebody who has written letters already is useful.

Personally, I'd go by price. An MSW intern operating under a licensed MSW on a sliding scale is the best.
For a second letter you can go blow your budget and get anybody.

[Julie Marie]

The best therapist is the one who "gets you" and is therefore able to communicate with you in your language. Their personality is also important. You want someone who makes you want to go back and see him/her.  You don't want someone who is boring, too technical, too chatty, to quiet, etc.  And only you can determine who that person is.

The phone book is the worst place to find someone.  All it is is names, numbers and maybe some advertising.  The Internet is not much better, unless you can find feedback from their clients.  Asking around is better but you have to remember we are all different with different needs.  Trial and error is best.  Don't be afraid to make an appointment and never return if you don't like them.

Since TG is so misunderstood, you would be doing yourself a favor finding someone a fellow TG recommends.  They should be well versed in WPATH and the Standards of Care but not be stuck to living by the letter of the law.  Other issues you have are probably a lot more common than TG so you may want to focus on TG as being primary in your search. 

But remember, there are therapists out there who aren't very good and take up treating TGs because many of us are so needy.  It's easy pickins.  So keep your focus.

[Vanessa_yhvh]

Tough one. I see a therapist who was willing to hand me over to an MD on the spot for HRT but whose credentials demonstrate special knowledge in areas that are real sticking points for me.

She was recommended for A) obtaining HRT referral and B) being f*****g awesome.

I stick with her because I feel we work well together and she catches me bull>-bleeped-<ting myself, which is well worth the $400/hour.

[Epigania]

Thank you all for the great responses!   This helps a lot!   In the long run what do you recommend for qualifications?   PhD?  Psychologist?  Psychiatrist?

In the Seattle area there is a lot to choose from.

Sorry for slow responses BTW. I'm visiting some family this weekend.   

[Vanessa_yhvh]

Qualifications? As long as there are some letters at the end of the name suggesting some level of training, the single most important factors are: A) referrals from satisfied clients and B) extensive experience. In that order.

A secondary (but not unimportant) consideration for me at this stage of the discussion is whether the therapist has the credentials or the connections to provide letters for HRT, SRS, etc.

[Epigania]

So, I found out that my company will pay for 100% of the first 6 sessions and 80% afterwards (up to 50/year) if I go through their referral program.

I have an appointment on Tuesday to see someone who is helps with "GLBT Issues" and "Life Transitions" ... We'll see how she is for a few sessions.  I'm crossing my fingers. 

I'm a very private person.  The fact that I have to talk to a complete stranger about my gender identity and feelings makes me feel a bit nausious.  I don't even know what to say to this person!  "Hi, I'm X.  I've been living as a woman for the last 4 years of my life EXCEPT at work and now I'm tired of looking at the man in the mirror every morning when I'm getting ready for work.  Now I want to change all that and live full time.   Can you give me a letter for HRT?"


For some reason, I'm doubting that will go over very well.

[Vanessa_yhvh]

"Hi, I'm X.  I've been living as a woman for the last 4 years of my life EXCEPT at work and now I'm tired of looking at the man in the mirror every morning when I'm getting ready for work.  Now I want to change all that and live full time.   Can you give me a letter for HRT?"


For some reason, I'm doubting that will go over very well.

You might be surprised. I was.

I stated via email in first contact that I was specifically looking to be prescreened for HRT, so there was no chance for misunderstanding. I left the building that day with a prescription in hand.

[lilacwoman]

I have an appointment on Tuesday to see someone who is helps with "GLBT Issues" and "Life Transitions" ... We'll see how she is for a few sessions.  I'm crossing my fingers. 
I'm a very private person. 

I'm under the impression that GLBT and Life Transitions may not mean TS transitions but at the first appointmnet make sure to ask if she has actually helped TS transition as you don't want directing into being LGor B.
Forget about being private - you will have to open your moth and talk about yourself and your innermost thoughts and hopes...its a shame the shrinks threw out their couches as staring and talking at the ceiling would make it easier than talking face to face.

[tekla]

which is well worth the $400/hour.

That seems high, most around here charge $100-150 per 50 minute hour.  But therapy in California is a buyers market.

[Vanessa_yhvh]

Yeah, my therapist is crazy expensive by local standards. But I like her, and the insurance company does their part.

[Epigania]

I'm under the impression that GLBT and Life Transitions may not mean TS transitions but at the first appointmnet make sure to ask if she has actually helped TS transition as you don't want directing into being LGor B.
Forget about being private - you will have to open your moth and talk about yourself and your innermost thoughts and hopes...its a shame the shrinks threw out their couches as staring and talking at the ceiling would make it easier than talking face to face.

Yeah ... I'm going to bring it up pretty much straight up.   When I spoke to the referral sources I told them I wanted someone who can deal with Gender Identity issues, but it seems their database doesn't have that sort of granularity. 

If this therapist isn't familiar, I'll have to see if she can refer me to someone who is and under the network.  My insurance will let me see any specialist I want without referrals, but for mental health I have to jump through hoops.  What a pain.  People who are in need of mental services, of all things, don't need a bunch of red tape. 

I won't even go into the fact that I don't feel like my Gender Identity is a mental issue ...  I'm quite secure in my acceptance of being transgendered and Bi-sexual.  Unfortunately, I can't move forward with the process because of these technicalities, though.

[Steph]

I have to agree with Julie on this.  Finding a qualified therapist is only half the battle.  A therapist with all the credentials ini the world will be of kno use if you are not comfortable with them.  You have to be able to be at ease and be able to communicate, if not then you are waiting your money.

I would advise against seeking a therapist simply to get "Letters" you would be just fooling yourself, however a competent therapist would see through that.  Basically therapy is there to help you determine that you are what in fact you think you are and I would think that most would want to know that.

-={LR}=-

[Epigania]

Yeah, I have other things I want to talk to the therapist about.   But the main issue is the Gender Identity.  I was trying to be a little witty and sarcastic before, but maybe it didn't come off that way .. *sigh*

Owell.