Hi everyone,
I have a question. When looking for a therapist, what qualifications should I look for in selecting a good therapist? How do I go about looking for one thats really good? I live near central Ohio. Thanks in advance! :angel:
Shannon
Shannon,
FIrst. I would talk with your physician. S/he will be able to find a gender specialist. Your doctor can also give you a referal which would allow you to use your medical insurance.
Second, I would look for a tg support group in the area and ask them. \\Just my two cents...
Good luck. You should be able to find one.
Chaunte
In *theory*, finding one who is a member of the Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association, Inc. (HBIGDA) is a good start. In *theory*, they should then at least follow the standards of care.
Hi,
Not sure how updated this information is, but it is a start for you.... Call (513) 919-4850
This is the phone number for the following:
Gender Support Group
P.O. Box 1692
Cincinnati, Ohio 45201
This may be of good assistance for you... it is called CrossPort Cincinnati
I do not know about this group personally simply located in a search for you on web. However I do think from some people I have talked to that they are pretty active. this can at least connect you to someone possibly in your area, or if you need to take the drive, take the drive it may just be well worth it for what your needs are. But this is a good starting point.
Good Luck!
Peace,
Taylor
Quote from: Chaunte on June 22, 2006, 09:26:04 PM
Second, I would look for a tg support group in the area and ask them. \\Just my two cents...
I concur. That's how I found my last one that I really am happy about. Same way I found my doctor too.
Melissa
I found my first therapist through a T woman who lived near my apartment. From there I started going to groups and such and found T friendly docs. Unfortunately, one of those docs was horrible. My second therapist I found from an ad or maybe an online posting.
Get the recommendations, talk to the therapist for a few minutes on the phone, and then do a meet and greet. If you get any bad vibes, move on.
Shannon,
Meral Crane
Gender Dysphoria Program of Central Ohio
P.O. Box 82008
Columbus, OH 43202
(614) 451-0111
Or you could contact The Crystal Club in Reynoldsburg and ask for referrals from some of the ladies there.
Nero
Hey everyone. Thanks a lot for all the info and advice. I found the website for The Gender Dysphoria Program of Central Ohio at http://www.genderprogram.com. According to their website they use the standards of care advocated by the Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association, Inc. Sounds like an interesting center. Anyone here gone to this center before?
Unfortunately, I currently do not have a regular physician to make a referral. My last regular physician moved his practice to Michigan about 4 years ago. I only have a Rheumatologist as a physican right now. I have had a physical exam done a few months ago. It was actually more of a pre-op exam for total hip replacement surgery that I still need to have done, since my left hip has severe Rhematoid arthritis in it, but right now the hip surgery is on hold. All the cartilage in my left hip is basically gone to the point where its only bone rubbing on bone. Its very painful for me to stand for long periods of time and I sometimes have to pop it to make the joint bend just to sit down, which hurts like the devil. Wearing high heels sometimes aggravates it. My hip surgeon told me to get all my dental work done first before the hip surgery so there is less chance of infection, which is why the surgery is on hold. Next week I go to the dentist to get two crowns fitted. Probably won't have the hip surgery done until mid August because most of my family will be on vacation until then. I will need 24 hour care for the first week after the hip surgery.
I have heard of the Crystal Club in Reynoldsberg. I will see if I can contact them. I found their website online after doing a Google search. I heard there is another support group thats a little closer to me in Dayton called The Valley Gems, but I do not know too much about them. I may contact them too.
Cincinnati is about 60 miles away from me. It would be a bit of a drive for me to go down there, but its another option if nothing else pans out. Thanks again for the advice and valuable info! :angel:
Hugs,
Shannon
Shannon,
Let us hear how things go as you move forward! Hang in there! And real sorry to hear about your hip!
Peace,
Taylor
I found mine from this site (http://www.drbecky.com/therapists.html). The site has several listed for Ohio.
Owwww, that hip sounds painful. :(
Good luck with everything! :)
Hi guys and girls:
If you're looking for a therapist near you, try this link:
http://ftmichael.tashari.org/therapists.html
hope it helps,
tinkerbell
Thanks Up Side Down and Tinkerbell for those website links. I will call Meral Crane, M.A., LPCC in Columbus after the 4th of July holiday. Both of those website links you each gave me have her on there and she is highly recommended. I have only heard good things about her so we shall see. :angel:
Its going to be around late August when I will finally have the total hip replacement surgery. I should have all my dental work completed on July 21. So far I have had two teeth extracted, three root canals, 4 crowns, 4 buildups, (three with posts) and 8 fillings, which is why its taken so long. My teeth were in really terrible shape, but I now have my smile back thank God. My family will be away on vacation until mid August, which is why I can't have the surgery done sooner. My hip surgeon told me that he will have me up and walking the same day as the surgery in late afternoon after the hip joint has been replaced. He said I should only be in the hospital for two days then I should go home. Recovery time will only be 6 weeks. The hip right now is not doing real bad, except for when I stand on it for too long, I overwork it, it rains or it gets very cool outside then it hurts like the devil. It does severely limit my physical ability to where right now I can no longer mow the yard without aggravating it. My brother-in-law has been mowing the yard for me. Right now I am not employed anywhere because of it. Some days its so bad that I cannot drive a car, let alone walk on it or put weight on it. Its really bad when you have to crawl on your hands and knees just to go use the bathroom. If I been standing for too long I have to fight with it just to get it to bend so I can sit down. I would not ever wish this on my worst enemy. My hip surgeon is going to put in a new titanuim hip joint in that has a big ball joint. He said its nearly impossible to pull the ball out of the socket and its very durable. He said this new joint should last the rest of my life. He does over 1,000 hip surgeries each year and is highly regarded as one of the best orthopedic surgeons in our state. I will be so glad to have this all taken care of and not have to live in pain anymore. Hopefully I can find a new job too.
Shannon