Susan's Place Transgender Resources

It was suggested to me that these videos might help some so I thought I'd put them in their own post.

first MTF

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ_Esfxavow

then FTM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFYl3ReqX5k

Please note these videos are not a substitute for therapy but for those questioning may offer clues to your journey.

These are really helpful.  It was a revelation to me that most people don't go through these things like I do.  That's what made me realize that I am, in fact, transgender.

these videos sum up what i've learned on this site really well.
i also think it would be wise for all members of the site to watch these videos, because she explains different degrees and signs of dysphoria in a way that is easy to understand, and also makes clear how you don't need to to have the archetypal transsexual experience in order to be "trans enough".
it can be good to contemplate a little on how different the trans experience can be from person to person.

I watched both videos. I am always having some doubts about my identity. I was interested in the comparison of those two videos and my reaction to both of them. And I now even more sure that I am transgender. The FTM video showed me that I really don't want to remain in male form.

What I needed when I needed it. thanks so much for posting these

Are transcripts available?  I have a really, really hard time taking in information from videos.

Sorry I haven't found a transcript. I am not sure if I am supposed to post a link to her website but you can find it in other videos of hers.

Just remember folks these are short videos that only guide you to a path that might be worthwhile for you to explore. The only person that can tell you if this is the right path is you.

I watched it and was like wow! It def would make me realize Im trans if I wasnt sure. Just those question were easy for me to answer.

I don't know. I think this wouldn't have helped much if I'd seen it pre-transition. My symptoms (fascination with women's media and female fictional characters, making friends only with females as an adult) were not really mentioned, either here or in the second video which I found and watched. I never had body dysphoria, even mild dysphoria, though I did wish I'd wake up with a female body.

she did say that your symptoms might not even be on the list presented, but could still be valid.
those are probably the statistically most common or something.

1. How do you feel about your body as it is?
Well, I don't have the standard, narrow male shape. I do actually have some hips, along with some other things that might be indicative of XXY; so due to that I'm not terribly body dysphoric, but there are things that I would like to see change such as my skin, fat and chest development. I'd also like my hairline back. Unrelated to trans dysphoria, I was also born with club feet and had to undergo corrective surgery, so now there's scarring and deformity. It's not grotesque or anything, but it does make me self-conscious. I also really hate my nose.

2. Imagine having a different body: curves, soft features, no body or facial hair, etc. Does imagining this provide sense of relief?
Imagining that to any extreme makes me cry, because I would trade everything I have for that. I may not be hyper-feminine, but I know who I am now. It was never a man. I never tried to be one to any social expectation, but I never said otherwise, because I didn't figure it all out until nearly 2 years ago. I still struggle a bit, thinking that the whole "androgyne" thing might be more accurate, but I think the ratio is more like 80% F / 20% M. Just enough masculinity to make me "butch" (and I really hate that word, because it doesn't really fit). I really wish this was more understood. Not all who transition want to wear traditional women's clothing. Fashion isn't static.

Anyway, thank you for posting the video. I'm going to be viewing her other ones, as well.

I sent the woman in the video an email. I'm going to see what it costs to work with her online. I like her philosophy which is something I doubt I'd find very easily here in Texas.

Just be careful and make sure you go at your own pace. I would suspect she is very supportive but my natural paranoia makes me think there is a possibility of her being too supportive, but that is based on short videos on youtube that I do believe are rather helpful.

I can't fault anything she says and in fact if her letters of recommendation held weight in Canada I would consider her myself.

Quote from: White Rabbit on September 04, 2014, 08:43:21 PM
Just be careful and make sure you go at your own pace. I would suspect she is very supportive but my natural paranoia makes me think there is a possibility of her being too supportive, but that is based on short videos on youtube that I do believe are rather helpful.

I can't fault anything she says and in fact if her letters of recommendation held weight in Canada I would consider her myself.

Yeah. I'm very discerning, though. If something feels off I'll cease interactions. I do see what you mean by being "too supportive", but her clinical work might be less feel-goody than her videos. I guess I'll find out if she's not ridiculously expensive.

If she is helpful no need to cut ties with her, just make sure you go at a pace that is right for you.

I've been hearing stories here about a few therapists who seem to be pushing faster then people have been ready for, I have no idea if she will do that. Don't let anyone tell you that you should go faster then you are ready for. In my opinion it should be the trans person that asks for any recommendation not the therapist offering it.

Keep caution close to heart then it doesn't matter even if she turns out to be the Oprah of referral letters just go at your own pace.

Well said. :)

Quote from: White Rabbit on September 04, 2014, 10:17:28 PM
I've been hearing stories here about a few therapists who seem to be pushing faster then people have been ready for, I have no idea if she will do that. Don't let anyone tell you that you should go faster then you are ready for. In my opinion it should be the trans person that asks for any recommendation not the therapist offering it.

I've been looking into therapists in the Seattle area.  There was one that I liked, but I was a little turned off by the fact that she'll do a recommendation letter after only one visit.  Informed consent is fine for some people, but I'm looking for a longer term relationship with a therapist that has a coaching mentality.

I don't have severe emotional baggage to work through, but I definitely want a qualified professional to help me work through the issues I do have...some of which I'm sure I'm not aware of yet.

I ultimately settled on another therapist, but similar to this, I'm a bit wary of her bias towards trans people.  On one hand, it's her specialty, and that's why I'm going to see her.  But I also don't want to be pushed into anything.

the easiest way to avoid being pushed in a direction that might be wrong, is to say no unless you know you want it right now.

This was massively helpful. Only thing I stick out from is that I still love my martial arts due to learning being interesting.

Thanks, both FTM videos were really helpful

Hmm, I do have dysphoria, of that I'm sure. It's just that my dysphoria is strange to understand. I don't mind to be perceived as male and I don't mind socializing with males etc. I do imagine how I would feel if I were a female and I frequently cross dress. I don't want to go out of the door without some feminine clothing underneath or feminine accessories. I don't ''feel female'' because I don't know what that means? I feel mostly indifferent inside, neither (or maybe both?). As a child I did boy and girl stuff. In video games I prefer female characters if I have the choice. I am jealous of women every day.. I want to look like them.

She says that hormones are a good method to try out. Very liberal point of view though, and not something I am able to try out here (Netherlands) where the process is conservative. And I'm not sure about that. It might be subject to one's own personal bias, the mind is a powerful thing.

Oh wow this was SO helpful! Thank you so much, it really did make me realise that I'm on the right path.

Her series of mtf videos really hit home with me and added re-enforcement to what I already know to be true about myself.  I have my first appointment next month with a gender therapist and these videos provide some perspective on what to expect in those first meetings.

I showed a bunch of her videos to a good friend of mine that I've known since 2005. When I came out to him he surprised me with his own confession: he enjoys cross dressing. I couldn't figure out if that was the extent of it or if perhaps he was struggling with being trans. He didn't really understand a lot of the terminology that defines everything. So, I explained it all and showed him the videos, and he said he's perfectly fine in his skin as a male. He simply finds it fun to go out in drag. He showed me a couple of pictures, and they actually looked really good. He worries too much about his build, and feels he can't explore this any further now that he has a daughter. Now that we know these things about each other it has added a new dynamic to our friendship that neither of us expected. It's neat. I actually have a good friend that I can talk to comfortably. I invited him here, but he has no computer at the moment. We're probably going to attend the Texas Renaissance Festival together this year with him in drag and me in costume (hoping to pull off the character Irisa from the show Defiance).