I am a transgender mtf, and im starting therapy next week im really not sure what to talk to her about, can any one help me?
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Therapy is a wonderful gift for your self.
Hi Rachael, :icon_wave:
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I don't think you need to go in knowing exactly what to say. She'll ask follow up questions to try to get a feel for where you're coming from, all you have to do is answer honestly :)
Yeah, most therapists will ask you questions to get you started. A lot of them will start off later sessions with something like "Last time, you said that..."
My therapist doesn't do that so much, and I would get stuck at the start of the session and not be able to talk at all. He would see that I was tongue-tied, and he would say something, but it was too late! Once I got stuck, I would be that way for a good long time. I was a real head case.
I had such a difficult time that I finally started a practice that I'd read about in a book by a teacher of disturbed children: I would open the session with best thing/worst thing. But I mostly focused on the good thing unless I needed to vent. My therapist liked it because he's a positive kind of guy. If you ever get stuck, you might try it.
Never needed to see a therapist before but with the transgender issue I found it necessary to talk with one. I felt embarrasses and didnt know what it was about, other than on what I knew from TV and movies so I started out by saying that I was embarrassed talking with someone on such a sensitive and well kept secret. The relationship develops and dont expect too much the first time - its a get to know session and you give your life story. I've been in therapy for 2 years and had two therapist (a male and a female) and i found them equally effective but for me i settled for the male after 6 months in. I've now been on HRT for 3 months. Its the best thing you can do for yourself and if you choose the right one they will become your friend.
Good luck
Well thank you guys so much. Does anyone know how long you have to see a therapist before you can start HRT?
Quote from: TGRachael on June 17, 2013, 11:14:00 AM
Well thank you guys so much. Does anyone know how long you have to see a therapist before you can start HRT?
It varies depending on the therapist and their comfort level. Some do it sooner than latter. The old standard would be around 3 months, but this depends on many different factors. Also, you have to factor in how long it might take you to see an endo. Every situation is different.
Congratulations on starting therapy and good luck. :)
It does vary widely. I know a therapist in town who, last time I checked, was willing to write a letter after only one or two visits, even when (in my lay opinion, based on what I saw in support groups) it wasn't a very good idea.
Other therapists seem to string people along or state ridiculously high requirements.
My therapist adhered to the old three-month standard because he wanted to properly assess people and give them time to reflect. I imagine that he still thinks it's a good idea. However, I didn't start HRT until six months into therapy. He agreed to write a letter after something like four months--when I finally officially asked him--and then it took me some time to get an appointment. First I delayed out of sheer terror, then the endo's office gave me incorrect info and refused me, and then, when we got that straightened out, there was a one-month waiting list for an appointment.
Some people who know they will have three months of therapy make the endo/medical appointment before the three months are up, to save time. But that doesn't always work.
Should take around 6 months well it is in my case. However i would say dont go into these sessions with the express purpose of giving them the answers they want to get HRT. Use the sessions effectively. Be honest This way you can not only get your HRT sorted but maybe learn something about yourself that you didn't know before. So what im saying really is treat it as an opportunity not a test you have to pass. :angel: