It's nothing physical like a letter for hormones or anything (someday...), but what it is is a start. I very awkwardly disclosed being trans to her briefly during the intake visit, and today I went in with the intention of talking to her about it. Boy was I nervous, but she was so awesome about it. All therapists should be like her- she listened to me, really listened! And she didn't write it off as me being too young or not knowing before or being a closeted lesbian or something like that. She reassured me that my mom can't have me locked up in a psychiatric hospital for mental observation like she's been threatening, told me I wasn't crazy (sometimes I really need to hear that after being around my mother), and said that really it's up to me- my decision when I'm old enough, because it's my body.
Thank you.
She also offered to call me by a preferred name, and I balked just because I get sad knowing I'd hear the name and then have to go by my birth name in school and at home. I don't think my mom would just agree to calling me Max. The therapist was cool with that too and said I can get back to her on it. Starting to think I should have her call me that, just to have a real-life safe space in which I can really be myself. Even though she's not a gender therapist, she was really understanding and I'm thrilled to know that I can talk to someone in person about everything without being judged or shamed.
That is wonderful, Liminal! It's great that you have such a cool therapist!
Have her call you Max, by all means. It's going to come to everyone calling you that anyway, right? Hugs, Devlyn
I agree-- go for it! I don't think you'll regret it at all. Somewhere you can be who you really are.
--Jay
Glad you had a good session!
I agree with the name...use it!
I also chose not to have my therapist call me by my preferred name for now. I can only see myself asking her to change that once I ask the people on my everyday life to stop calling me by my birth name.
Personally, the idea of having two different names makes me uncomfortable.
A good therapist is worth their weight in gold (or hormones, as the case might be).
Congrats!