So I had my first appointment with a new counselor after waiting a month. My last counselor was horribly bias and basically just wanted to train me to be happy as a woman. As we all know that doesn't work. The new lady I'm seeing has a trans daughter and loves her no less than before. Which is awesome because it makes me feel like I could get on T seeing her. However, in the last month I've been really happy and didn't feel like complaining about my "issue". I told her a one good thing that was relevant, I'm getting my name changed soon and my parents are going to go to my hearing with me and celebrate after. But other than it was...not so important talk about future plans like university.
My problem is that I don't know how to talk about the subject unless I'm in a bad mood. And when I'm in a great mood like I was today at my appointment I even forget I'm not a "real boy". In a bad mood I can just rant and rant without caring for a segway. I was wondering if there's an easy way to talk about the elephant that was in the room today? I know time will help, but I think she'll only be able to see me once a month (which will leave me in a constant state of awkwardness...unless depressed or pissed). And I want to get on T soon. I don't want to see an 8th year of passing without physically transitioning.
What really sucked too is that when I was waiting for my ride something happened that really made me WANT to talk. I think a guy was trying to find out what I am because he was asking me about bras "you know (rubs hands on his chest) those ones that make girls chests flat? So they make you think they might be a boy." I just kept telling him I didn't know. He didn't seem to be malicious (though ignorant) when he spoke. But it made me feel uneasy.
Just come out and say you want on T. That should open up the talk. I'd see how long it usually takes for her to usually write the letter. One thing that might come up in talks is how to plan to pay for all this stuff. Get a job now and save the hassle.
I have the same problem! It's really frustrating. I'm not super great at talking about it to begin with, so when I'm with my counselor - who is great, but who I still barely know - it seems really forced to bring it up.
I'm actually at a free clinic (only thing I can afford) and from what I can tell no one there has actually dealt with a Trans person (in her case outside the family). So it doesn't seem she has ever written a T letter, but from what I'm told they can at that clinic. I've been secured at that job for 7 years.
I did my intake with the woman I'm seeing now. And she knows I'm there to get on T. It has been about 5 months since then though. So should I just say it again anyway?
Yeah I'd want to know exactly when I would be getting the letter at that point. Typical is 6 months from what I read on here.
3 months usually.
I have the same problem. It doesn't help that being trans isn't an easy thing to talk about offline for obvious reasons. I've been talking about it a little bit with my counselor for a while now, but haven't seen a gender therapist yet-I'll hopefully see one this Tuesday, and since gender therapists are on a tight schedule I'll either have to really open up about all the gender crap I've been facing or go home with nothing to show for myself. It's weird at first and it kinda sucks, but it's one of those awkward things that's gotta be done. :-\
I think I might just write everything down tomorrow night and take it in on Tuesday. At least that way I'll have some kind of outline to follow and I won't forget stuff.
I'm in the US and I didn't need X amount of months of counseling to get T. I did speak with my therapist and asked if she was ok with talking about gender stuff. She isn't a gender specific counselor. My doctor just asked me if I was seeing anybody for gender stuff and gave me T. I have seen this doctor since I was a baby, so she trusted me. If your in the US you can try and find a doctor that prescribes T without a letter if your not a minor. However, If you have serious health issues it maybe of benefit to allow doctors (GP with endo) to communicate.
Quote from: Zambie on December 15, 2013, 09:44:16 PM
I think I might just write everything down tomorrow night and take it in on Tuesday. At least that way I'll have some kind of outline to follow and I won't forget stuff.
I actually wrote a pretty decent sized account of my growing up in the "I knew I was a ... when" thread. I was thinking of printing that out as a starter. Probably a good idea. I'd have to elaborate about my life since then. Since it really ended at the point I was starting my Trans life. But it could be a good starter piece I guess.
Trenton: I am in the U.S. and I'm 25. I've thought about doing that. I've called around to see if people where available too. I came up with nothing there. I've made some acquaintances at a Trans group. All of the ones on hormones already had their letters first. So I was thinking of asking them if they could give me some contacts. I also never had a regular doctor since I'm a military kid and haven't been to the doctor in years. I don't think I have any serious health problems. So I should be fine there.
If this therapist gives me something months away I might try one of the contacts (aforementioned) and see if I can get on them anyway.
I'll talk to her and see how long it could be and stress the fact that I've been living full time as male for seven years. I've even made friends that don't know I'm Trans.