Can someone explain the steps of getting on Legal HRT in the states?
I thought contacting a therapist would be first and they would refer the rest, but I'm not sure now.
I mean, I've contacted many therapist, trying to find one in my area. All so far have stated that they don't work with MtF, and that even if they did I would have to find someone to do the prescriptions.
At first I thought because they don't work in this spectrum, they took this stance. But with so many therapist saying the same thing, I'm second guessing what I thought....
So.... Do I even need a therapist for getting HRT? Can't any doctor prescribe hormones ect...
keep looking, you'll find one
i use http://www.micheleomara.com/ (http://www.micheleomara.com/) online skype sessions $110 ea and will issue the HRT and GRS letters and is follows the SOC
Before I begin, I should disclose that I have not yet begun HRT, although I do see a therapist and have already determined that HRT will be part of my transition. That said...
As far as I am aware, there is no hard and fast requirement for anything other than finding a physician willing to prescribe them. Physicians often refuse to start a course of HRT without a letter from a therapist simply because they want to be sure you know what you are really getting yourself into, but they CAN legally prescribe hormones without an HRT letter if they believe it is in your best interest. HRT can be a really bad thing if you aren't really trans, just as it can be a really good thing if you ARE trans. Any decent physician knows this and will not want to take you down the wrong path...hence the desire to have a mental health professional be involved in the decision.
As for therapists, look for one who is experienced with gender identity issues if at all possible. I know they can be hard to find, though. I am only aware of three within a day's drive from my house. Therapists unfamiliar with trans issues will often decline to pursue HRT as a treatment option.
So, to make a long post longer, you do not legally need a therapist in order to get HRT from a doctor (in the US), but your path forward will be a heck of a lot easier if you can find one.
SRS/GRS/GCS is a whole different matter, of course, but that's a different discussion for a different thread. :)
Hope that helps. :3