Susan's Place Transgender Resources

And I'm happier than I think I ever have been. I'm so nervous, happy, excited, anxious. I do actually have a question though! Either on here or Laurasplayground there was a post/article just called 20 questions or something to that effect. It was just 20 questions to ask a therapist to know if their actually gonna help you. I can't seem to find it anywhere though. Does anyone have it saved by chance?

Congrats hope you have a great smooth experience, good luck! :)

Not sure if this is what you're after, Olive:

QuoteLet's Play 20 Questions!
Once you get to speak with a prospective therapist in person, ask them:

1.  How many gender patients do you have?
2.  How many TS people have you recommended for surgery?
3.  How long have you been working with gender patients?
4.  What is your educational background?
5.  What books on transgender issues most influenced you?
6.  Have you written any books or articles on the subject?
7.  What got you interested in working with transgender people?
8.  What is your basic philosophy about how to treat this condition?
9.  Do you follow the Harry Benjamin Standards of Care?
10. What is your hourly rate?
11. What length of session do you usually prefer?
12. Is it possible to do longer or shorter sessions?
13. How long do you usually see patients before you might OK them for hormonal therapy? SRS?
14. Are you affiliated with any endocrinologists or plastic surgeons?
15. Are you part of my insurance network?
16. Would you be willing to classify our sessions as depression in order to meet insurance requirements?
17. What are your hours?
18. Do you have weekend or evening appointments?
19. Do you work from your home or from an office?
20. (Anything else you want or need to know)

From: http://www.hemingways.org/GIDinfo/therapy.htm (http://www.hemingways.org/GIDinfo/therapy.htm)

(Entirely off topic, but this link really made me realise how so many transgender websites have such poor designs. I really wonder why.)

On topic: Congratulations, and I hope it goes well!

Thanks, Sephirah! That's exactly it. But it turns out that I didn't need it. I'm his first transgender patient, which I admit is really scary. But he's kinda being mentored for me by someone who's had a few, and he studied near the Pride Center in Minneapolis and has had a lot of LGB experience.  He's really nice, and doesn't really seem like he just wants to agree with me. He actually is taking a scientific approach towards diagnosis, which really scares me. I have no doubt that if he feels I am actually trans he'll write me the letter, but he was telling my parents about people who actually convince themselves they're gay/trans. But, insurance pays for all of it. So I can't complain too much. With school coming to a close, I'm going to be indulging in my feminine self with actually getting my eyebrows done, probably frequently wearing makeup, growing my hair out again, maybe even getting my ears pierced! I'll do everything I have to in order to convince him to write me the letter. I'm also coming out to my older brother whenever he gets off work. My dad told him that I was going for depressional issues(which I guess is partially true), but I wanna wear shorts this summer without having to explain why I shave my legs.

Hm, make sure you do things because you want to; not in an attempt to convince your therapist. It might work against you if you do that.

Trust me, it's because I want to. It's something I've wanted to do for a while now!

Hope you get that letter and come over to the dark side >:-) mwahhahahahaha!