Hey everyone. I'm currently looking for a good online GT as I live in a fairly remote town and thus my options for a formal GT session is quite limited. I heard of the GT Dr Graham is he any good? Also when receiving my HRT letter in time, will it still be valid in Australia medically wise as I'm recieving it most likely from a GT overseas? I guessing most if not all online GT's don't reside within Australia. I'm not well knowledged on how the whole medical system works unfortunetly.

Hi Paige

Cindy in Adelaide.

I know of no on line therapists in Australia, but depending where you are there may be other options.  Send me a pm

Cindy

Doctors in australia don't require a letter from a therapist to prescribe hormones.  Some may ask you to see a therapist for their own peace of mind before they personally will prescribe hormones but it is by no means mandatory.

Quote from: Raneth on November 20, 2012, 06:28:47 AM
Doctors in australia don't require a letter from a therapist to prescribe hormones.  Some may ask you to see a therapist for their own peace of mind before they personally will prescribe hormones but it is by no means mandatory.

Wait wait really? So if I were to say go to my doctor, oh whom is fully aware of my situation and is supportive of my decision she'd be able to prescribe me with hormones?

yes, there is nothing to stop her prescribing hormones.  However, she may not do it for reasons of her own (I've had one such doctor who didn't feel knowledgable enough to monitor my HRT regime). 

On the other hand, you don't really need to see the endo that often.  I've had 4 visits to date, and I've been on HRT for 9 months now.  Initial consult (left with a script), 6 week, and 3 monthly since.
A GP is able to write you a script, but it really boils down to whether or not your GP is comfortable managing endocrine issues.

Doctors are highly variable - a GP by definition is a jack of all trades, master of none, however, some GPs have particular areas of interest where they can sometimes rival a specialist's level of knowledge, so it really boils down to who's around in your local area.

Quote from: Raneth on November 20, 2012, 06:28:47 AM
Doctors in australia don't require a letter from a therapist to prescribe hormones.  Some may ask you to see a therapist for their own peace of mind before they personally will prescribe hormones but it is by no means mandatory.

Generally speaking, doctors most anywhere don't 'require' anything by law to prescribe cheap drugs with no potential for abuse. Any rules they have are almost entirely self-enforced.

That said, I've yet to ever see an Australian GP prescribe hormones without a letter from a shrink.

The problem can appear later.

When/if you decide to have surgery the surgeon may refuse unless you have clearance letters for the psychologists. This applies to both Australian and OS surgeons from what I have heard.

Psychologists may decide that they do not want you as a patient if they have not been involved with you from the beginning stages, so they then refuse to give you a clearance letter and  problems start.

Catch 22.

Jaco Erasmus in Essendon is my GT and does Skype sessions under a Medicare system for remote patients.  I will PM you his details.

Quote from: Asfsd4214 on November 25, 2012, 02:38:27 AM

That said, I've yet to ever see an Australian GP prescribe hormones without a letter from a shrink.

Based on personal experience both the northside clinic in melbourne and the interchange general practice in canberra don't require a letter.

Quote from: Cindy James on November 25, 2012, 02:54:03 AM

Psychologists may decide that they do not want you as a patient if they have not been involved with you from the beginning stages, so they then refuse to give you a clearance letter and  problems start.

Catch 22.

Which psychs do this? Everyone I know who's gone to a psych (myself included) hasn't needed to have seen them right from the beginning to have a srs referral letter. 

Quote from: Raneth on November 25, 2012, 06:40:36 AM
Based on personal experience both the northside clinic in melbourne and the interchange general practice in canberra don't require a letter.

Which psychs do this? Everyone I know who's gone to a psych (myself included) hasn't needed to have seen them right from the beginning to have a srs referral letter.

Try South Australia - based on personal experience.

Quote from: Cindy James on November 20, 2012, 02:05:48 AM
Cindy in Adelaide.

I know of no on line therapists in Australia, but depending where you are there may be other options.  Send me a pm

Cindy

I'm in South Australia too, are there any doctors or therepists in particular you would recommend?

Henry

Hi Paige000;
Which state are you in. Because I used to be under the care of the London GIC - Dr Russell Reid I already had a letter from him diagnosing me as a Transexual , but my GP in Victoria (Sven Strecker) - Prahran Central Clinic required to have a copy for his records. He then prescribed Oestrogen on my second visit. I also see a wonderful therapist who is also  at the Clinic - http://www.prahranmarketclinic.com/
Clair Weightman specialises in Gay Womens Health & Transgender.

She can be found at: http://www.prahranmarketclinic.com/page.php?nameIdentifier=claire-weightman

Sven can provide stuff to your remotely, but you need to meet him at least once.

Which state in Australia do you live in?

Judith

Quote from: Cindy on November 26, 2012, 02:17:09 AM
Try South Australia - based on personal experience.

And boy do they get snakey when you tell them you don't want to play their games any more..