Hey everyone!
Just letting you know I was able to find a super super cheap place in los angeles and i'm finally actually going to start and see where therapy takes me. Wherever it does, who knows, but one things for sure: I have a great already lifting off my shoulder (not that I ever liked weight-lifting anyways, but...)
lol
What were your experiences like? I'm so nervous. I wonder if people will look at me weird. Seeing this is like step 1, my basic reference frame, and seeing as all you are so much more progressed I wonder if I can keep up.
Oh well.I'm gonna refrain judging til tomorrow's affair! :)
Just be honest and relaxed!
And as much as you wish it can be solved in one session it probably won't. How often I wished that back in the day when I first got a therapist.
Good luck and congrats! :]
People's experiences with therapy vary wildly so I can't really say what your experience might end up like, especially with you living on the other side of the country from me, but I think that mostly it's a good experience. I'm lucky in that I go to a place with a dedicated T (along with LGB) focus, and it's covered by my health insurance.
I think a lot of the benefit from therapy just comes from hearing yourself say the things you're thinking out loud, which can change the way you think about those things, especially when you say them to another person. But the therapist can be helpful too, mine definitely is.
Oh and echoing the post above me -- be as honest as you can possibly be.
What's therapy? never had it or experienced it. I've never had any help or support in that way but then again I'm living in the U.K
Naturally Blonde, psychiatric therapy.
Antarcticsake, I am in pretty much the same canoe, I think, as you. I have just had my first session a couple of weeks ago and it was an eyeopening experience to say the least. I'm fortunate in that my therapist is a transman and is quite familiar with TG issues and therapies. And to repeat Shanetastic's comment, one session ain't gonna getcha there. I did learn a lot about myself through his leading questions to get me to think about and verbalize a lot of things about myself, things I have never listened to myself say.
If I recall the SOC (standards of care) correctly, it recommends a minimum of 3-4 sessions before a therapist can/will prescribe HRT. I don't know what the average number of sessions is for most of us, but I'm sure it all depends on the patient and the therapist. I'm looking forward to my next session, one step closer to freedom.
I hope you have a great experience today. Honesty is always the best approach for yourself.
Deanna
Got back a few hours ago, and Ihave a lott of things to marinate in!
I let it ALL out and just felt great! And he said "well you do indeed seem like you have gender dysphoria." and all was well and we booked an appointment for the next time, etc.
But then I got into my car and felt all weird. Something about saying EVERYTHING out loud to someone I guess makes it real. And not that it wasn't any less real before, but it kind of really brought it home and I had to take a step back and go, wow. If I did this, it really would be a completely 180, my life would change dramatically, and it's not like being gay where you just are and don't have to take any special injections or hormones of the like to aid you in your journey.
So.
I have a lot to think about! Not that I don't still how I have for awhile, but I, in effect, almost like freaked myself out and had no clue it was coming!? does this ever happen?
Then i went to forever 21 and browsed dresses discretely and was like oh god just give it up! why else would you be browsin gdresses haha!
Great news Antarctic! :icon_hug: Welcome to the throng.
That sounds a lot like how I felt getting into my car after my first session a couple of weeks ago. I think I may have even screamed (or more likely squealed) in joy and started trembling thinking about everything that came out of my mouth. (I think there may have been a few Holy S*&ts tossed in there as well)
Although I didn't top my visit off with a shopping trip to the mall. Nice idea though! ;D
I'm glad you had a great experience. Now go marinate, be sure to flip over periodically to get even saturation.
Deanna
Quote from: Deanna_Renee on August 13, 2009, 08:40:00 AM
Naturally Blonde, psychiatric therapy.
Antarcticsake, I am in pretty much the same canoe, I think, as you. I have just had my first session a couple of weeks ago and it was an eyeopening experience to say the least. I'm fortunate in that my therapist is a transman and is quite familiar with TG issues and therapies. And to repeat Shanetastic's comment, one session ain't gonna getcha there. I did learn a lot about myself through his leading questions to get me to think about and verbalize a lot of things about myself, things I have never listened to myself say.
If I recall the SOC (standards of care) correctly, it recommends a minimum of 3-4 sessions before a therapist can/will prescribe HRT. I don't know what the average number of sessions is for most of us, but I'm sure it all depends on the patient and the therapist. I'm looking forward to my next session, one step closer to freedom.
I hope you have a great experience today. Honesty is always the best approach for yourself.
Deanna
I don't think you are in any way in the same canoe as me. I was diagnosed with GD in 1984 and started transition in 1999. I have been living FT since 2002 but the point I was making is that I haven't ever had any form of therapy. In the U.K we don't have therapy, we just have assesments and a psychiatrist chooses to move us forward or not.
Also if that guy in your profile is anything to go by you haven't actually started on the journey of transitioning yet?
Quote from: Naturally Blonde on August 14, 2009, 02:23:10 AM
I don't think you are in any way in the same canoe as me. I was diagnosed with GD in 1984 and started transition in 1999. I have been living FT since 2002 but the point I was making is that I haven't ever had any form of therapy. In the U.K we don't have therapy, we just have assesments and a psychiatrist chooses to move us forward or not.
Also if that guy in your profile is anything to go by you haven't actually started on the journey of transitioning yet?
Easy tiger, lol! I think Deanna was referring to being in a similar condition or "canoe" as Antarcticsake. As for therapy, I think it's just a difference in definition. Some call it therapy, some call it assessment. While not the same thing by definition it amounts to the same thing in reality. I'm in "therapy" but it's only therapeutic in the fact that it helps me get my feelings and thoughts in order. My therapist does not try to persuade me one way or the other but rather helps me gain perspective on my feelings and then offers advise or referrals based on that.
I'm sorry if I offended you Naturally Blonde. The same canoe reference was to Antarcticsake who started the thread. I know I am in no way close to where you are. I was only trying to answer your question of
Quote from: Naturally Blonde on August 13, 2009, 05:43:51 AM
What's therapy?
It was my ignorance that I had assumed you didn't know what the author was talking about in regards to therapy. You are right, I have not transitioned and I am still trying to come to terms with myself and still full of self doubt and have a lot to learn and at 47 years old, I may never reach the point you are at now.
I do apologize.
Deanna
QuoteAlso if that guy in your profile is anything to go by you haven't actually started on the journey of transitioning yet?
Nope no hormones yet, no nothing. Just thought and one therapy lesson lol. Why?
Quote from: Deanna_Renee on August 14, 2009, 02:43:41 AM
I'm sorry if I offended you Naturally Blonde. The same canoe reference was to Antarcticsake who started the thread. I know I am in no way close to where you are. I was only trying to answer your question of It was my ignorance that I had assumed you didn't know what the author was talking about in regards to therapy. You are right, I have not transitioned and I am still trying to come to terms with myself and still full of self doubt and have a lot to learn and at 47 years old, I may never reach the point you are at now.
I do apologize.
Deanna
That's ok Deanna. I am long term GD and as I mentioned I started a long time ago. I am about the same age as you are but originally started in my mid 20's. I never comformed properly to a male identity and always pushed the bounderies as far as I could with very long hair and androgenous looks.
I think in the U.S everything is more clear cut and straightforward in the treatment and therapy department. Over here we are left in the wilderness a lot more. If we go through the NHS we don't get the support and help we need and it is more tailored to mental health issues rather than physical treatment. I still haven't had any form of therapy even now all these years later.
Congratulations, Antaricsake. It can be a really powerful thing to finally open up and talk to someone who is trained to listen to what you are saying (and what you aren't saying :P).
I think part of it is that you finally give yourself permission to speak what you thought but were afraid to voice. Part of it is that you have to put your jumbled thoughts in some kind of order to be able to tell someone what they are. In that process they start making some sense to you, too.
I wish you well on your journey. :D How exciting! :eusa_dance:
- Kate
Good luck. I'm a good ways off from starting, I think? I wish you the best though. Keep us posted.
I started therapy with a gender therapist and it was he best thing I've ever done!
After years of suppressing my true self, I was on a "high" after discussing my TG issues with a therapist. Where I'll end up, I don't know, but I do know that if I did not seek help, I would end up either in a hospital or morgue.
Woooohoooo!!
Great news Steph, I'm happy for you. Now keep yourself well, and be careful of those who wish to burst that happy bubble. Speaking from experience, that first time really, really hurts if your not ready.
Hugs :icon_hug:
Deanna
Good news, Steph. Isn't it wonderful to finally voice all that stuff that's been in your head all these years. :D
I hope it continues to go well for you. We don't know where we'll end up, we just have to keep going to where it feels ever more "right".
*hugs*
Kate
Best of luck to you and I hope that it works out.
I know this isn't my post, but thank you all for the uplifting cudos!
I know what want, but I'll wait until my therapist gives me the OK.
I'm closer now than I've ever been after 40+ years of suppresion - it's a "high". :)
I've now been informed that because I don't have health insurance and won't have it back again until 2 months from now or so, I am going to be put on a waiting list. WTF mate!
I am kind of impatient too so I guess that's testing my patience lol
Can you pay cash instead of using insurance until you get it?
I could but we aren't doing so well financially lately :-\ especially trying to live in Los Angeles is kind of difficult! Really expensive lol.
If you research, you can find a qualified therapist for a reasonable rate. Mine only charges me $25. per hr. She is a TG post op MTF and has a Phd, so i think it is very reasonable, as you can not get education on top of practical life experience all in one very easily. If you have support groups in your area you might want to go to a couple of meetings as that can help alot, because you will meet ppl of all different stages of progression. For instance we have a Crossroads chapter in my area that holds "rap" sessions every Tues between 7-9pm nightly. If you cant afford therapy, this would be a very good way to gain knowledge based on an open group setting, like here, but meeting others face to face. Therapists tho, imo are like drs..you might find one in ten that actually care and enjoy what they do other than you just being another patient. Do research and you will find many avenues that are free. You may start by putting in "Transgender Support Groups" in you web browser.
AHH! I just found out we are getting health insurance back.
this is gonna help immensely.
sorry I'm just happy! Lol
Hope everybody's well :)
Wow I'm so glad for you Antartic!!
I myself am waiting to hear back from an counseling place. I have gone thru therapy from a guy that is an elder at my church for the past few months and it has helped me explore myself some but his opinion on what should be done now does not involve transition of course. I hope that seeing someone non-biased will help shed light on that as well as other possible options for me.
As for how you felt after your first session, I can kind of relate. Even my first session with this guy I've been seeing left me with a great state of wonder. I had been suppressing for 2 weeks before seeing him and immediately after, I felt comfortable enough to begin dressing again, at least temporarily.
Go for it, you have approximately 6 months before it becomes irreversible. So look deeply into your soul, find out whether you really want this to happen.
Good luck. You will need courage. Transitioning means that you will lose a lot, it is in no way a cheap decision.