Good morning all! I'm currently looking at various therapists with alleged specialties in "Transgender Issues", but I would like to find someone who primarily focuses on them, as I'd like to know how to sort out my thoughts and feelings to move forward. I am still questioning, and would like to know if anyone can offer suggestions of a therapist in Massachusetts, specifically the Worcester area. I am open to traveling into Boston if it means finding someone I can trust and work with on an ongoing basis.
Also, does anyone have advice on the type of behavioral counselor I should seek? My academic sense says I should choose a psychologist, but my social sense is more open to an LMHC or LICSW. Ugh, there are so many options, I'm not sure how to proceed ???
Hi there!
I live in Worcester too!!
I've been going to therapy at Fenway Health on Boylston St. in Boston since last year.. that's also where my primary care doctor is and where I started HRT via informed consent. I know that's not exactly what you were hoping for but I haven't been able to find or get in with anyone with gender/LGBT+ focus who takes my insurance in Central MA area.
Also, my therapist's card says LMHC. They accept lots of different insurance plans and can work with you to build a payment plan. It's a pretty good place, not without some issues, but probably one of the best places for trans health care in MA. I've heard that there's a really good place in springfield, but they're both pretty much equal distances in either direction from Worcester. I don't recall the name of that one.
One con of Fenway is that they have a long waiting list, it took me months before I was finally able to start therapy. It was long patient waiting last year but now that I'm in the resources are pretty great. I just wish it was closer to home.
Edit: Updated...
Re: the long waiting list
seems like Boston/Massachusetts still woefully behind the curve. It seemed like almost nobody was getting hormones legally back in 1997 except my one friend who was Baker Act'd and got his diagnosis in the mental hospital.
I love Boston but it's kind of depressing how backwards they are on this.
I'm only 23 so I was 4 in 1997, can't really speak to that, but I think things are probably a little better now.. I've really never been to any of the reputedly super trans friendly places like Toronto or Montreal or Seattle or Portland and never lived outside of MA so I admittedly can't compare to much. It's not great but I think it's definitely better than some other places in the US and certainly some other countries so I try to be grateful for what I have.. I still don't really get out much though and Worcester isn't a super nice or friendly place :/