Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transgender talk => Topic started by: Jamie_B on January 09, 2009, 11:27:15 AM

Title: Hormone letter from therapist
Post by: Jamie_B on January 09, 2009, 11:27:15 AM
Hiya everyone, just had a quick question.  I googled a bit and looked at standards of care as well but couldn't see anything specific.  I have an appt. tomorrow with a therapist who has had some experience with transgender issues.  My mid term goals are to get started with hormones.  I understand a letter is required from the therapist recommending HRT.  Does the therapist need to have specific areas in which they practice or is any general therapist able to write this letter.  The reason I ask is that I have been seeing a number of therapists for a while...they keep leaving and I then get a new one :/   There is no reason for me to pay another therapist when I have the resources to see a general adult therapist for "free".  Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Hormone letter from therapist
Post by: NicholeW. on January 09, 2009, 11:30:47 AM
Anyone will do. They will basically write that they find you of sound mind and perfectly capable mentally to be given hormones.

But there are clinics that only require informed consent: that is you sign a document saying you understand the dangers & risks of hormones and are doing that of your own free will with no liabilty down to the clinic at some later date if something should occur that is harmful or discomforting to you.

Nichole
Title: Re: Hormone letter from therapist
Post by: Jamie_B on January 09, 2009, 11:53:43 AM
Thank you Nichole :0)   "Of sound mind"... oh dear  :angel:  I have a psychiatrist and have had a string of therapists all from the same "clinic".  I would definitely need the letter I think.  I have other diagnoses that may or may no longer be valid but they are diagnoses that would most probably give one pause.  My psychiatrist however did tell me he thought I seemed rational and understood what I was talking about, that I understood what was happening and that I was aware of my actions and thoughts and feelings.  In his opinion I am of *relative* sound mind.  I am on a number of medications already which contribute to that state.  And while, as I mentioned, some of my diagnoses may remain valid I believe that my having repressed and hid and pretended my whole life contributed to these issues and lies as the root cause.  Again, thanks so much for the information...that is going to save me a lot of money :0)