I have started talking with surgeons to select one for my GCS. As expected they are all requiring letters from a therapist. I have been on HRT for over a year and living full time as female for 4 months.
My transition has been very open and I have friends and family that I've been able to talk to.
I'm also 60 years old so I pretty much know what I am and what I want. I've never felt the need to have a therapist involved.
I do understand the doctors requirements (up to a point anyway) and am willing to do what is necessary to quality.
The doctors I've talked with all have therapist that they work with that they will get me into see. It kind of sounds like this would be a minimal amount of time but I don't know what to expect. I really do not want to spend a great deal of money or time on sessions that I don't feel I need.
Has anyone else been in the same situation or talked with a therapist just to qualify for the surgery?
Thanks
Quote from: Charley on May 24, 2016, 01:13:28 PM
Has anyone else been in the same situation or talked with a therapist just to qualify for the surgery?
Yes. It was awful. My therapist sent met to a guy for a second letter and told me he would give me any trouble. I ended up spending $190 and found out at the end of the meeting he was a gatekeeper and came up with a bunch of bogus reasons why he couldn't approve my surgery.
I would find out from other trans people in your area who can be counted on not to gatekeep.
I ended up getting my second letter from a local therapist who is transgender himself.
I don't think a therapist can write these letter. You need a fully qualified psychiatrist.
The WPATH Standards of Care have some information on this.
It also depends on the surgeon. Most require two letters, but in Thailand some require only one.
I believe its best in medial matters to get personal recommendations from other trans people as to who they would recommend. There's plenty of bad medical people around, and you won't be able to tell one from another otherwise. Either search for these or post your location and ask.
I personally think therapy is great, but I understand the fear of bad therapists because I've had one.
Quote from: AnonyMs on May 24, 2016, 01:19:24 PM
I don't think a therapist can write these letter. You need a fully qualified psychiatrist.
My surgeon said they had to be a PhD psychologist or a psychiatrist. In practice, however, she accepted a letter from a social worker.
I'm talking with DR's Schechter in Chicago and McGinn in PA.
Both say they have psychiatrist's that they work with. I live in the Chicago area.
Quote from: suzifrommd on May 24, 2016, 01:42:36 PM
My surgeon said they had to be a PhD psychologist or a psychiatrist. In practice, however, she accepted a letter from a social worker.
So much for WPATH. As usual.