My wife is getting her first meeting with her therapist today, as soon as we have the moneys and time, I will start.
My question is, how long before the therapist will recommend starting the HRT, (curious for her and for me), or does it depend on us or on how good the therapist is?
Well for me it took three months. But it depends on the therapist and yourself. Most therapists follow the standards of care, which has a min of three month evaluation. Also if the therapist doesn't feel you are ready yet that will prolong as well. Look up the benjamin standards of care. This will give you more information on what they are looking for.
Yeah, a lot of factors come into play and vary greatly. Important to remember, the beginning session(s) are simply introductory sessions for the therapist to get to know you and determine whether you do or do not have GID. If diagnosed, that's when you bring up your transition plan (if you have one) and the fact that you'd be interested, at the therapist's discretion, in beginning HRT as soon as possible. On that subject, make sure you've done your homework on HRT, as for me at least, my therapist wanted to be reassured I knew of the side effects and what the hormones would actually be doing to me both mentally and physically. Overall, all I can say is if you want best chances of getting the letter of recommendation for HRT as soon as possible - be yourself, hold nothing back, ask questions if you have them and stay confident.
thanx, for the responses.
Update on her therapist meeting.
It turns out that he was a marraige counselor for transgenders :o ::)
Quote from: Sollan on November 07, 2011, 07:13:28 PM
thanx, for the responses.
Update on her therapist meeting.
It turns out that he was a marraige counselor for transgenders :o ::)
Now that is what I call specializing!
Quote from: BrokenCode on November 07, 2011, 08:35:08 AM
Well for me it took three months. But it depends on the therapist and yourself. Most therapists follow the standards of care, which has a min of three month evaluation. Also if the therapist doesn't feel you are ready yet that will prolong as well. Look up the benjamin standards of care. This will give you more information on what they are looking for.
You actually mean the WPATH Standards of Care.. Current version of which is V7.. and can be found here: http://www.wpath.org/documents/Standards%20of%20Care%20V7%20-%202011%20WPATH.pdf (http://www.wpath.org/documents/Standards%20of%20Care%20V7%20-%202011%20WPATH.pdf)
I'm just starting my sessions as well.
I'm really anxious to start HRT, but I don't know how to bring that up my therapist without sounding so skeevy.
Also, I'm interested in whether increasing my meetings from once to twice weekly would allow me faster to access to hormones, if the standard waiting period is defined by the wpath.
Suggestions?
Quote from: Guantanamera on November 08, 2011, 07:30:23 AM
I'm just starting my sessions as well.
I'm really anxious to start HRT, but I don't know how to bring that up my therapist without sounding so skeevy.
Also, I'm interested in whether increasing my meetings from once to twice weekly would allow me faster to access to hormones, if the standard waiting period is defined by the wpath.
Suggestions?
I would let the therapist know how you feel. Just be honest. You can bring up the HRT, but I would not bring it up every meeting. I also don't think you have to do it twice a week. I did it every two weeks this way I always had a lot to talk about.
Quote from: Guantanamera on November 08, 2011, 07:30:23 AM
I'm just starting my sessions as well.
I'm really anxious to start HRT, but I don't know how to bring that up my therapist without sounding so skeevy.
Also, I'm interested in whether increasing my meetings from once to twice weekly would allow me faster to access to hormones, if the standard waiting period is defined by the wpath.
Suggestions?
The SoC's are really just a guideline, so it will depend on you and your therapist as to how long it takes before you'll get your referral for HRT.. And, depending on how busy the endo/gyno is, you may have to wait to get an appointment with them.. It's not always a quick process..
I didn't actually mention hormones until my 3rd or 4th session.. And that lead in to a long discussion of what I knew about their effects, both positive and negative.. So do your research and be prepared..