I do have two questions that hopefully someone can answer...

[harlee]

I dont like my psychiatrist that much (no offence to him) He is specialised in talking to adults, and says stuff to me that I just dont understand...and I feel stupid for trying to answer something, or when I have to ask him to simplify what he meant. He uses big words! When I first came to him...he didnt even know what a transsexual person was.  Ive been seeing him for about 10 months already, and I really think Im wasting his time, my time, my parents time and a lot of money that could be spent on someone better

He is trying to convince me that I should wait another 2 years before taking hormones in case I change my mind (that was his only reason)...and my parents are listening to him, cause he is "the professional one here"  I told him that he could maybe let me see and endocrinologist and go from there. He said he would, but its been 4 months later and he never got around to referring me. I said that hormone blockers could be an option...and that if I did want to change my mind, no harm would be done But he seemed to ignore everything I said, and went on to talk about how teenage girls and even people in their 20's arent always happy with their body features.

Its just been really frustrating to hear him talk about random stuff thats not even related to how Im feeling, and for him to be so against me, especially when the first day I saw him and mentioned I wanted to be helped with my transition! At the moment he is really enthusiastically looking for some type of chromosome test to get me to take...to see if something really is wrong with me So...Im looking forward to taking chromosome tests in January...NOT 

I really want to see a gender therapist, but I live in Australia...and just cant seem to find any! I think seeing one would be a huge help. Maybe they would be able to help my mum and dad understand also. The only reason my parents wont let me take Testosterone right now is because they dont think I have enough experience in life. I still dont know what that has to do with much. But they said that maybe if I had everything more planned out and knew what I wanted in the future, they would look into and help me some day soon to get the injections, which was good to hear They are also starting to use my chosen name, finally! So that gives me hope!

I guess this post was kinda long and pointless, so Im sorry! I just needed to get everything out after so long But I do have two questions that hopefully someone can answer...

Do you know where I can find a gender therapist in Australia? Preferably Queensland.
And how much do testosterone injections cost monthly in Australia?  I heard they are different prices from in the US. Thanks!

[Teknoir]

Can't help on the first one (being in NSW and all), but I might be able to help with the second.

Not only do we have different prices, we also have different T. We don't buy big vials to draw from, we generally buy 1 shot amps. We're more like the EU that way. Still does the same thing though .

Generally over here you'll be looking at Sustanon 100, Sustanon 250, or Reandron. I've been on all three.

Sustanon you buy 3 amps at a time (so, you buy enough for 3 shots).

Sustanon 100, if I recall correctly (it's been a while since I've been on that) was about $25 - $30 for the 3 shots. It's the cheapest option, because I think it's partially covered by the PBS (Maybe. Not 100% sure).

Sustanon 250, is not covered by PBS. You're looking at around $60-ish for 3 amps.

With the Sustanon, you can expect to inject every 2 weeks (so those prices are for 6 weeks of T, not a month).

Reandron (which I just started a few weeks ago) is absolutely NOT covered by PBS, and is the most expensive option. It's $193 per shot. You only buy one shot at a time (one REALLY BIG amp), however said shot lasts about 3 months (depending on your hormone levels, of course. Some people may have to increase the frequency).

Prices may vary locally of course - that's just what I pay for mine.

That doesn't include any costs associated with the injections themselves (ie, Having a doctor or nurse do it, or buying the equipment for self injection).

I get mine injected by my local bulk billing doctor, so it's free (Trust me - you DON'T want to self inject Reandron. It's HUGE! ). Previously, I was paying $45 per doctor visit on top of my T costs to have the injection done (but getting $32 of that $45 back on Medicare later).

[Sean]

I'm sorry your psychiatrist is such a dud.

You might want to share this link with your parents:
http://www.endo-society.org/guidelines/final/upload/Endocrine-Treatment-of-Transsexual-Persons.pdf

It indicates that hormone blockers (they are called "GnRH agonists")  is the preferred treatment for adolescents with GID & explains when it can/should start - which is fairly early in puberty. The expectation is that you wouldn't start T until after you were 16, but at least you could avoid the development from female hormones until then. It might be exactly the kind of information your parents are looking for: a better indication of when T might be right for you (though it can't help you if you had your heart set on T before then or something).

More important, I think it's pretty clear that your psychiatrist doesn't actually know how to treat youth or adolescents at all, let alone someone who is trans. The fact that he can't speak to you in a way you understand (and probably doesn't understand how he might misunderstand you as a result!) suggests that he is just all wrong for handling your treatment. I would focus on that aspect of it all in looking for a gender therapist and switching to someone else. Maybe your parents could press on him for a referral to an endocrinologist at least, though?

[spacial]

May I suggest you try to present a case for him?

There is quite a lot of good evidence available. It should all be, as far as possible, backed by some research or references.

I don't know how much experince you have in preparing a paper. If you wish, you could prepare a draft and present it here for cirticism.

In the mean time, take up his offer of hormone blockers as a start.