So my GP wrote me a referral to my gender therapist for five sessions- which is covered by medicare. Cheap therapy... great.
But here's whats bothering me. I am doing great. Really great. HRT is already noticeably shaping me only two months in, my health is good, relationship strong, my family and friends are supportive, testicular pain zero, work is supportive, I have great trans friends, work is flowing in and money is okay. I have done the science and gender research, am totally accepting of what I am, made my transition plans and schedule, laser worked really well... basically I am the luckiest trans girl alive.
I don't think I need therapy at the moment. I am worried that some other person who is waiting for therapy will miss out if I use it. But on the other hand everyone says therapy should be an ongoing thing through transition.
What should I do?
You should go to the therapist. It's covered by medicare, you could have a bad day or moment in the future where you would need it, and talking to a psychiatrist could help get letters should you need anything down the road transition wise (for either surgery or document changing). At the very least, even talking for an hour about how things are going great for you kind of shows the therapist that, well, things a going great for you.
Additionally, 5 one hour sessions (over several weeks or months) are not going to be that much of a drain on a therapist's time.
Things are going well for you, so try not to feel guilty about this.
You should keep going anyway. Just space the appointments out.
A neutral third party may pick up road bumps early and save you some grief later on. If you're going through the chronic disease benefits scheme it is only valid till the end of this calendar year.
You may of course, prefer not to do so to save time, but moving forward, the continued contact with your therapist will allow for stronger support for surgery later.
Quote from: Emmaline on July 25, 2014, 12:01:19 AM
I don't think I need therapy at the moment.
This statement here is why I think you should keep going just with the appointments further spaced out. Life has this very funny and annoying habit of throwing up surprises just when we least expect them. When these happen even little things that we usually cope with can make you want to hide under the bed for a week add this on top of say you have a bad period with your transitioning, (getting misgendered, a girls night out is canceled last minute, laser appointment has to be rescheduled). It can seem like everything is going wrong and nothing will ever go right again.
Having a professional neutral third party can help you see the forest through the trees. Sometimes it can be easier to listen to them and heed their advice over your friends when this happens and you can also be less likely to breakdown again if when telling your friends you get a, "it's not so bad" or "just calm down"
The first six months or so on HRT can be very unpredictable on moods and emotions. Please continue to go to therapy as you are still too early for things not to go wrong. My Endo requires continued therapy during HRT just because my mind and body are in constant change. :)
Emmaline, I'd go to the therapy sessions if I were you. Just as a safety net. Even if it's just basically an hour-long chat with someone who understands what you're going through, or a bitch-session where you can get a few things off your chest that you can't tell those who are closer to you. You'll find some use for it.
I think you should go even if you never need it, and keep records. There's times when you may need other kinds help, and giving the appearance of being responsible and having followed a traditional path may make it easier. Getting letters for surgery for instance.
I find it can be good to talk about things, even when they are going great. You might be surprised at what you dig up. As far as I know you are still in male presentation mode, yes? When you get to the presenting female part of your transition you will probably be glad to have someone to talk to about it, even if it goes awesomely. I was told by my gender therapist that the HRT transition is a walk in the park compared to social transition, my experience has been that he was right.
Thanks all. Excellent points.
While things are going well, work on establishing a good working relationship with your therapist. That way when you are in need of help you will be going to someone you know and can - hopefully - trust. In addition your therapist will have a much better understanding of you and your circumstances and so should be able to supply you with better advice.
Emmaline
I see the therapist as a coach and as a sounding board. Even when I don't think that there is anything wrong, I am continually surprised with the conversation and where this takes me. If you have a good therapist then therapy really will provide unexpected benefits.
Safe travels
Aisla