Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Hey all,

     So, good news, I scheduled a therapy appointment to talk about my GID.

     Bad news, it's in a MONTH.

     Granted, I might be able to swing something a little earlier, but getting an appointment in anywhere under 2 weeks is likely a pipe dream.

     I just finally got a really solid piece of emotional evidence that I could be a girl and I really, really want to talk someone's ear off about it for four hundred years while they give me recommendations and medical advice... But now I have to wait and let any lingering doubts and fears about reactions fester (fortunately the lingering doubts are being defeated left and right, but it still sucks).

     So, do you folks have any advice about what sort of stuff I can do to keep it together while I wait?

Hi Karen,

Well you've taken a very bold yet positive step forward so congratulations. It's not easy talking to people about such personal matters and I think when we finally cross that bridge it certainly is liberating.

So when I started transition four months ago, I hadn't spoken to anyone about my gender identity challenges. However I had spent many many years and even more money speaking with Clinical Psychologists about other matters. So, in the lead up to transition I still hadn't spoken to anyone. But what I did do which I found very useful was research anything and everything to do with being transexual. I also started reading lots of books on other peoples transitions, such as Conundrum by Jan Morris. It helped me a lot to piece together some of the things that I had been feeling. There were similarities' but there were also lots of differences, and that really helped with with truly appreciating the wide spectrum of variation that all of us sit within.

Aside from research and reading, I began to take care of myself a lot more. I mean physically, mentally and emotionally. Everything I knew about transition, if this was what I was going to embark on, was quite pressing on these aspects of me. So I evaluated my diet, I started running again, and started looking after my skin. Even males should do this which I never did  ;) All of these things helped to ground me and assisted with clearing my mind.

These things helped for me, I'm sure there are other great tips from others you could try. But well done once again on making that step into therapy, it's a wonderful journey you've started, and always good to have a tour guide to help along the way.

Hugs,
Bree

If there is someone you trust implicitly then bring them into your confidence - but don't over burden them, they won't want to hear about your gender issues 24/7! Another option is this forum - I always find it very useful for debriefing and thinking out aloud in between therapy sessions.

Quote from: Ms Grace on November 02, 2014, 02:03:09 AM
If there is someone you trust implicitly then bring them into your confidence - but don't over burden them, they won't want to hear about your gender issues 24/7! Another option is this forum - I always find it very useful for debriefing and thinking out aloud in between therapy sessions.

There is someone like that, it would be easier if he wasn't half way across the US, or if I didn't have a massive crush on him.

I guess you're right though.

A month? That's past before you know it.

I had to wait 18 months before my first appointment with a licensed therapist. She had a huge waiting list and in my country things go different than in the US. These 18 months drove me to insanity and I nearly committed suicide because of it.

So relax, a month is nothing. Keep things in perspective.

Quote from: PinkCloud on November 02, 2014, 06:25:59 AM
A month? That's past before you know it.

I had to wait 18 months before my first appointment with a licensed therapist. She had a huge waiting list and in my country things go different than in the US. These 18 months drove me to insanity and I nearly committed suicide because of it.

So relax, a month is nothing. Keep things in perspective.

...

Well, now I feel like a massive jerk. Sorry for the first world problems...

I'm based in UK and was told 12 month waitlist for the GIC - found a private therapist with special interest in trans issues in the meantime which is a useful stopgap if a rather pricy one. Not anticipating getting anything towards medical transition out of them (Over here there is some NHS support but you have to start the whole process through them, you can always swap out TO private care, but not FROM private care)

I waited a few weeks on purpose as I wanted to come out to my wife and clear my kids birthday.

Congratulations that's a huge step that you've taken one of the things that's always helped me has been trying to take my mind off of what I was thinking about by exercising, reading, listening to music or watching a movie, anything at all that take your mind off of it. I think you will find the time will fly by pretty fast. I wish you nothing but the best of luck on your journey. May the Angels always look upon you and guide you on your journey.

Hugs,

Melissa Ann

I spent months and months just living in fifteen-minute increments. I couldn't focus on anything for any length of time. It was horrible.

Come here, go to a support group, see your friends (even if you aren't out), work if you have a job. I found that physical activity (cleaning house, for example) was helpful at times. I would also go for a drive at night and just yell my head off!

So I managed to actually see someone today! It turns out my school has walk in counseling.

I got referred to see a specialty Gender Therapist... Admittedly a week after even the earlier hoped for referral stuff, but hey quality is better than speed right?

That's great news Karen, and yes, I would agree, quality over speed any day girlfriend! You'll have to keep us posted on how you go. in the meantime though you can spend some time here  :)

Quote from: BreezyB on November 04, 2014, 12:29:42 AM
That's great news Karen, and yes, I would agree, quality over speed any day girlfriend! You'll have to keep us posted on how you go. in the meantime though you can spend some time here  :)

Sounds like a plan! :)