West Midlands, England, any experiences?

[My Name Is Ellie]

I am, hopefully, starting therapy soon. My doctor is looking into it not me. They'll choose the best path, I don't want to make the choice based on peoples opinions and such because I want a good therapist, not an easy ride.

But still, I was wondering if anyone has had any experience in the West Midlands (England). I don't know what it's like round here in terms of gender therapists - is there actually someone in the area or will I have to travel pretty far?

How often did you go to your therapist?

This will be on the NHS, I presume (and hope).

Was there a waiting list or any complications? Could you pick your days?

[lilacwoman]

your GP should have referred you for local psychiatry to check you're not delusional or crazy.
The shrink will then report back to GP with whether you should get treatment or not.
If yes the GP will have to get funding for you from your PCT.
Then you can start regular therapy which may or may not mean a trip to local gender clinic.
Some PCTs are good and others think its OK to delay us by claiming low-priority.
You could be a little as 18 months away from surgery.

[spacial]

Good luck Ellie.

Great that you've got the ball rolling. I would think that almost every person who's taken this road will have had different expriences. Though your GP sounds like a good start.

Keep us all posted on how it goes. Really interested to hear what happens.

[Keroppi]

On the NHS, you're probably looking at the gender identity clinic in Sheffield or Leeds. The GICs all have different referral requirements, so you and or your GP will have to look into that. Glasgow accept self referral, whereas Sheffield & Nottingham appears to accept one from GP, and London & Leeds only accept one from psychs. There's also issues regarding whether you are in the PCT areas where the GIC have established funding agreements or not. If not, they need individual funding agreement from your PCT first before starting treatment.