So after much soul searching I decided to start my transition in earnest and decided hormones would be needed. Being where I am (arizona) I was able to find many counselors who were sensitive to trans issues but can't write a letter, better than nothing I guess and It can at least help with my current relationship, GF is accepting but has a few reservations. So I scheduled an appointment for August. The only specializing gender therapist nearby makes me a little uncomfortable since she requires 1 year RLE before a letter is given. Being Non-Binary that makes things more than a smidge problematic. While I have a friend who went to her I want to avoid seeing her if I don't have to but I digress.
I figured I'd try looking into informed consent to see if any clinics were maybe in my general area. With luck I found two but wasn't certain as to whether it was true or not. My dysphoria getting more extreme by the day, I decided to call and confirm if either did informed consent this morning. The first one she wasn't available at the time so I left a message. The second one, after tracking her across two other former clinics due to out of date info, I managed to find where she was at. The problem arose when I got a hold of the receptionist. I told them that I was looking for information in regards to the Doctor's hrt policy. I explained that I was trying to obtain information before scheduling an appointment so I wouldn't waste me and the Dr.'s time (or end up with an unnecessary medical bill). Not only did this woman clearly not get what I was asking after explaining it in depth three times, but she kept asking if I wanted to schedule an appointment after holding long awkward pauses on the phone and sounding grumpy in general. So now I'm contemplating as to whether to set one up or not just to get my questions answered. I asked if there was an extension the doctor could be reached at directly and I was told no. I'm now left with waiting for a call back from Dr. 1's office and debating on where to go from here. I'm 26 and while I'm still young I'd like to get things going as soon as possible so I don't lose anymore time. I'm so extremely frustrated right now, why does AZ have to suck so bad?
I have an additional question you may or may not have ask. Years ago when I started, I wasn't cross living yet but I had a fair amount of therapy under my belt and approval was given. I can understand it if they have a minimum requirement for living OR therapy but to require that you must cross live before receiving hormones is a little harsh. I am in Arizona but no longer need that part of the medical system so I don't know much more than what i have gathered off other web sites looking at how my home town has changed.
As I understand it, the RLE is needed for SRS, but not for hormones. Maybe print out the relevant pages from WPATH 7 (currently in use) and talk to any doc who'll listen to you.
You may also talk to Dr Meltzer in Scottsdale, he does surgeries and may either know a Dr who does cooperate with informed consent, or maybe (I don't know) he can do it himself.
@Dena: My friend who went to see her to start his transition, he recommended her to me, said that he had to do 1 year rle before he could be prescribed T. As far as I know he's not getting any surgeries. He passes just fine hormones or no but I'm wanting to start on E and I just can't do that one year requirement, especially when it comes to my job, looking as I do. Mainly because I'm self conscious about the way I look and because I'd rather not tell my coworkers. Then again my friend did start his hormones the same year WPATH was revised or just shortly after. Maybe her stance is different now after this has been on the books for a few years now.
@Beth Andrea: That's how I've always understood it too. For now printing out the relevant pages seems like something I'd have to do. The doctor I'm waiting to hear back from is definitely one I would like to see because she's nearby and I've heard mostly good things. I'll definitely look into Dr. Meltzer if I don't hear back from the other Doc. Thanks for the advice!