Do you have to see a gender therapist to get T? Or could i go see my doctor, get evaluated by my psychiatrist and get it?
Or is there another way around it
curious, thanks
No, you just need a therapist who is licensed to write you a letter. They probably will recommend a gender therapist who knows about that though. My therapist told me that hes going to send me to a gender specialist once a month and when he thinks im ready hell write me the letter.
Any medical doctor can prescribe T. Whether or not they will is what you will be up against. A therapist's support through a T letter is the best bet to prove to the doc that you're sure it is something you want to do. If you don't have another professional backing you the doctor will most likely be more wary. You will probably have to convince them or at the very least go through generally the same conversations you would have with a therapist.
I have also heard about some guys getting T though "consent" or something where they basically sign a paper saying they have a good understanding of what HRT will do to them and that you do not place any responsibility upon the doctor. I do not know anyone who has gone this route personally and I doubt it would work that way with most doctors.
Quote from: Nick Aiden on February 05, 2010, 09:40:01 PM
Any medical doctor can prescribe T. Whether or not they will is what you will be up against. A therapist's support through a T letter is the best bet to prove to the doc that you're sure it is something you want to do. If you don't have another professional backing you the doctor will most likely be more wary. You will probably have to convince them or at the very least go through generally the same conversations you would have with a therapist.
I have also heard about some guys getting T though "consent" or something where they basically sign a paper saying they have a good understanding of what HRT will do to them and that you do not place any responsibility upon the doctor. I do not know anyone who has gone this route personally and I doubt it would work that way with most doctors.
*raises hand* I gave my consent, signed the papers, and that was that. So it is possible, but it depends on your endo.
I don't know if this will matter as I'm in another country but I got a referral from a local GP to a local psychiatrist, who had dealt with gender issues and both of which I had never seen before.
Got assessed in 2/3 sessions (1 week, because I'm impatient) and she wrote a letter to my new GP, who works in sexual health, who prescribed T, after some bloods and general health session with a nurse. I have never seen a 'therapist' if that's different I don't know if you have different meaning etc. But the only person I talked with about my gender issues was the psychiatrist.
As said some people can get around it by signing a waiver saying they have demonstrated informed consent for the therapy they are wanting - but I would assume that GP is a very liberal practitioner and not pin my hopes on that. But stranger things have happened I guess...
Therapist can be psychologist, psychiatrist or counselor. Gender therapist isn't necessary but is more understanding and knowledgeable on the issue.
thanks guys, you all answered my question :)
Quote from: Aussie Jay on February 05, 2010, 10:51:57 PMI have never seen a 'therapist' if that's different I don't know if you have different meaning etc. But the only person I talked with about my gender issues was the psychiatrist.
In the U.S. we basically just have to see a professional licensed in mental health. Psychiatrists & psychologists are medical doctors (but only psychiatrists can prescribe medicine) and therapists are usually not medical doctors but are licensed and have a degree. Sometimes all of them are generically referred to as therapists.
Quote from: Radar on February 06, 2010, 05:47:47 PM
In the U.S. we basically just have to see a professional licensed in mental health. Psychiatrists & psychologists are medical doctors (but only psychiatrists can prescribe medicine) and therapists are usually not medical doctors but are licensed and have a degree. Sometimes all of them are generically referred to as therapists.
Cheers mate thanks for the run down. Same sort of deal here - wasn't sure how different out countries are :D