Community Conversation => Transsexual talk => Male to female transsexual talk (MTF) => Topic started by: Joan on December 04, 2013, 01:26:27 AM Return to Full Version

Title: First therapy session: got my letter! :)
Post by: Joan on December 04, 2013, 01:26:27 AM
So I had my first therapy session yesterday, for which I was veery nervous. Turned out I didn't need to be, as the doctor was very empathetic, listened to what I had to say, helped me clarify a few things, and gave me a letter of referral to an endo where I have an appointment in a couple of weeks.

The therapy continues, but it's so good to be doing both at the same time. Of course there is a long way to go, but it's so good to finally be getting there :)
Title: Re: First therapy session: got my letter! :)
Post by: Ms Grace on December 04, 2013, 01:38:24 AM
A one session referral... congrats!  :)
Title: Re: First therapy session: got my letter! :)
Post by: TerriT on December 04, 2013, 01:40:50 AM
Well, that was easy.
Title: Re: First therapy session: got my letter! :)
Post by: Joan on December 04, 2013, 02:38:07 AM
It surprised me, I can tell you ???

I am not, however, complaining in any way at all :D
Title: Re: First therapy session: got my letter! :)
Post by: Kayla86 on December 04, 2013, 05:21:06 AM
Wow that's amazing. My therapist required a minimum of 6 visits (7 or more preferred) before she would write a letter.

I'm glad you've started your journey!
Title: Re: First therapy session: got my letter! :)
Post by: Isabelle on December 04, 2013, 05:53:46 AM
These stories amaze me... My GP gave me hrt. No therapy needed. Informed consent, I thought that was the norm these days??
Title: Re: First therapy session: got my letter! :)
Post by: Sammy on December 04, 2013, 06:33:00 AM
Congrats Joan :)

When I asked my psych, after having seen him for two months, when he will refer me to endo or prescribe smth, told me "But I cannot! And will not! Lets just sit down and talk for years - there is still so much to talk about" That was our last session :D
Turned out that my endo was willing to proceed on the basis of informed consent.
Title: Re: First therapy session: got my letter! :)
Post by: Hideyoshi on December 04, 2013, 07:03:22 AM
Quote from: Isabelle on December 04, 2013, 05:53:46 AM
These stories amaze me... My GP gave me hrt. No therapy needed. Informed consent, I thought that was the norm these days??

Same here. He gave me a month to make sure, but no therapy required
Title: Re: First therapy session: got my letter! :)
Post by: Lauren5 on December 04, 2013, 07:36:20 AM
Quote from: Isabelle on December 04, 2013, 05:53:46 AMThese stories amaze me... My GP gave me hrt. No therapy needed. Informed consent, I thought that was the norm these days??
Lucky. My GP refuses to do it. Says I need to be in therapy for 3-6 months with a certain therapist (who isn't avalible for 4 months) to get on hormones. So I'm going elsewhere.

Congrats, though, Joan. Looks like all the nerves were for nothing after all. No need to get nervous. :)
Title: Re: First therapy session: got my letter! :)
Post by: Joan on December 04, 2013, 07:45:16 AM
Thanks Willow. I'm afraid I still get nervous at the drop of a hat. I'm told I hide it well though :) I hope things get going for you soon.

And Emily, good for you :)

There seems to be such a difference in how you get treated by the medical profession from place to place and county to country. I was expecting a very conservative approach and a minimum of 6 months so I'm very happy with how it turned out.

I hope it does for everyone else too.
Title: Re: First therapy session: got my letter! :)
Post by: Mogu on December 04, 2013, 08:48:09 AM
Quote from: Isabelle on December 04, 2013, 05:53:46 AM
These stories amaze me... My GP gave me hrt. No therapy needed. Informed consent, I thought that was the norm these days??
Depends on where you live and who you go to. Therapy will be more required for getting HRT on your insurance.

I'm going to Fenway (in Boston) this Thursday, and one of my biggest questions is the time until I can start HRT.
Title: Re: First therapy session: got my letter! :)
Post by: kathyk on December 04, 2013, 10:00:47 AM
Great news.
Title: Re: First therapy session: got my letter! :)
Post by: Joan on December 04, 2013, 10:14:44 AM
Quote from: Mogu on December 04, 2013, 08:48:09 AM


I'm going to Fenway (in Boston) this Thursday, and one of my biggest questions is the time until I can start HRT.

I hope it's sooner rather than later :)
Title: Re: First therapy session: got my letter! :)
Post by: Joan on December 04, 2013, 10:15:07 AM
Thanks Kathy :)
Title: Re: First therapy session: got my letter! :)
Post by: chibiStephy on December 04, 2013, 10:56:44 AM
O.o well that escalated quickly

congrats
Title: Re: First therapy session: got my letter! :)
Post by: evecrook on December 04, 2013, 11:33:59 AM
congratulations and good luck
Title: Re: First therapy session: got my letter! :)
Post by: Joan on December 04, 2013, 09:16:28 PM
Stephy, didn't it just? :D

And thank you Eve :)
Title: Re: First therapy session: got my letter! :)
Post by: Megumi on December 04, 2013, 09:25:52 PM
Congrats! Where I live nobody will prescribe without a letter from a therapist. It took me close to two months of weekly sessions before I could finally get my letter and that's still no guarantee that i'll get HRT as the few endo's that do transgender work are very hard nose as well so basically you have to pass two tests to get in the club as they say....
Title: Re: First therapy session: got my letter! :)
Post by: Andrea_LS on December 04, 2013, 10:35:55 PM
Congratulations, Joan!  :D

Your post and all that followed are so encouraging for me, thanks! ;)
Title: Re: First therapy session: got my letter! :)
Post by: Joan on December 04, 2013, 11:40:44 PM
Hi Megumi :)

That's kind of what I was expecting too. Local guidelines say two letters confirming the diagnosis of GID before referral for 'non-reversible' treatments can begin.

As my therapist explained though, there is a fair bit of 'wriggle room' outside the guidelines depending on the case. I'm certainly glad there is :D

Andrea :)

This site is a a big ball of help and encouragement!  Good luck to you on your journey too :)
Title: Re: First therapy session: got my letter! :)
Post by: FalseHybridPrincess on December 05, 2013, 02:18:09 AM
Haha,,,congratz!

Best therapist ever!


Mine took 5 damn months...or maybe a hole year but thats a different story
Maybe its my age...
Title: Re: First therapy session: got my letter! :)
Post by: Joan on December 05, 2013, 04:41:51 AM
I think my age helped. I guess all those years came in useful for something :D

The important thing is that we're on our way :)