Susan's Place Transgender Resources

My name is Amber! I am planning on starting therapy and eventually starting HTR. Unfortunately I do not have the deepest wallet, so planning for cost is going to be very important for me through out the whole transition. I do not have medical insurance yet. I am only 22 so I could still use my parents, but I haven't yet come out to them nor do I want to be reliant on them. The first thing I am planning on doing( besides by some clothes ;)) is starting therapy. how much did it cost you and how much would you expect it to cost someone without insurance.

In my area a therapist cost 80 to 100 and a psychiatrist cost  150 to 180.

I have only ever seen a therapist once, and that was to get an "emotional support animal" prescription for my cat, so I could have her in a "no pets" apartment. She is a specialised gender therapist, and she charges $90 per session.

Honestly, the cost of therapy was one of the things that drove me down the informed consent path for my HRT.

Okay, my initial insurance made me pay 20 or 25 for copay each session.  Then my next policy was about the same.  After I lost that policy, my therapist charged me $20 for each session and sometimes even let me come in for free.  I developed a good relationship with her and she realized I was having some hardships.  Oddly enough, now that I'm in the best financial position that I've ever been in my life, I have a new insurance policy that doesn't charge me any copays for most doctors visits, so therapy is free outside of my premium paymments. 

i might have to wait a little bit longer than i had previously hoped  :(. i should be getting my own insurance in 2 months ill probably have to wait until then.

Hi Amber, first off welcome to Susan's! 

Secondly, my therapist charges around $120/session.  Luckily my insurance picks up most of it....  Well once my deductible is satisfied so the first of the year kind of stinks for me until that's done.  Would it be helpful if you find someone who takes patients on a sliding scale?  It's not unheard of, might be worth making a few phone calls...  Also are there support groups in your area?  It might not help with trying to start hrt but might help you get through until you can find a therapist and all of the ones in my area are VERY reasonable to attend... 

Good luck, I hope you can find someone soon!

I have a 25 Co pay each session. Well worth it at this point

Welcome Amber! Glad you asked! I have a therapist who offers therapy at discounted rates almost specifically for those who have deep financial problems or have no insurance. And living with a single mother and barely able to afford food counts I guess XD My therapy is normally $20 per session but his office does frequent specials and the cost is basically half right now. The normal cost for those who don't have financial problems is $70-$90 I believe. :)

my therapist charges me 50 a session

My Therapist cost is $192 for 1 hr. With a co-pay, I pay $40. My Psychiatrist visit is a bit more with the same co-pay, $40.

I pay $140 per session. No insurance so I pay the whole amount. I've had 2 sessions. I need 1 more to get my letter. Then she sees me again in 5 months.

A little over a year ago I was meeting with a therapist for roughly $50 a session because I wasn't making very much money but after a few sessions ended up moving states. I am going to look into finding a therapist here in Houston where I just recently moved to once I get a little money from my new job but rates I am seeing are roughly $80-$120, though the may also have discounts and sliding prices.

I am see a gender specialists now and he cost 160 but since I am flat broke he has giving me sliding rates so instead I am just paying half which is the price I chose.( thankfully sliding prices work a lot better then the progressive name your price tool lol)

My therapist charges 80 dollars per session.

Amber, glad you've found someone fairly reasonable with their charges.

My therapist is $100 per hour - $80 of which is paid by my insurance, and I have a $20 co-pay.

And she's worth every last cent. I can't overstate how important I think having a good therapist is in the transition process. Sure, there's ways around the therapy, but having a competent, independent and trusted counselor involved in the process is priceless.

Quote from: Brenda E on September 20, 2014, 06:02:12 PM
Amber, glad you've found someone fairly reasonable with their charges.

My therapist is $100 per hour - $80 of which is paid by my insurance, and I have a $20 co-pay.

And she's worth every last cent. I can't overstate how important I think having a good therapist is in the transition process. Sure, there's ways around the therapy, but having a competent, independent and trusted counselor involved in the process is priceless.

I agree completely. my therapist is also trans and he made me feel way more comfortable with every thing. as much as I like him I really hope this involves as few sessions of therapy as possible before I get my letter of recommendation for hormone therapy.

I go to Melissa Leonhardt, she's online and takes out of state. Her cost I believe is $40 (Or $45) and she's part of the LGBT community, and that's her specialty!

$75 per session. I have no insurance and barely an income. I'm likely to only go about once a month once I start HRT (which will come out of my pocket as well). My only concerns are the doctor visits and blood work. I can afford monthly hormones, but if the doctor charges hundreds, I could be screwed.  :-\

Quote from: Abby Claire on September 25, 2014, 08:02:23 PM
$75 per session. I have no insurance and barely an income. I'm likely to only go about once a month once I start HRT (which will come out of my pocket as well). My only concerns are the doctor visits and blood work. I can afford monthly hormones, but if the doctor charges hundreds, I could be screwed.  :-\

I'm on pretty much the same boat.... Its upper stressful being broke and starting your transition isn't it?

Mine is 125$ per session.  She has specialized in gender therapy for over 20 years so she is very knowledgeable.  I like her so far.

Amber, I was in your boat about 15 years ago, seriously considering transition, but I think the pressure was much greater back then to fold and remain a guy.  I seriously tried being a guy again.  In my experience it just didn't work.  Finally got out and got full face laser yesterday!  So far I haven't had any side effects at all (crosses fingers).   

Quote from: amber roskamp on September 25, 2014, 08:28:45 PM
I'm on pretty much the same boat.... Its upper stressful being broke and starting your transition isn't it?

It's wonderful. I'll probably have to sell some stuff just to pay for this.

Quote from: Abby Claire on September 25, 2014, 08:42:07 PM
It's wonderful. I'll probably have to sell some stuff just to pay for this.

me too like my car my bass guitars.... my kayak. :eusa_boohoo: :icon_ashamed:

Quote from: amber roskamp on September 25, 2014, 09:12:43 PM
me too like my car my bass guitars.... my kayak. :eusa_boohoo: :icon_ashamed:

My guitars, my dslr, my dvds... sigh. Then I'll basically own nothing lol

My gender therapist bills at $175/session. My out of pocket is high since they are out of network. My last non-gender therapist was in network. They still billed at $175 but my co-pay was $25

Quote from: JoanneB on September 26, 2014, 07:16:01 PM
My gender therapist bills at $175/session. My out of pocket is high since they are out of network. My last non-gender therapist was in network. They still billed at $175 but my co-pay was $25

woah :o 175 is high!

I think it's about average in this area for non sliding scale billing,