I have done my research and now have another question. How many times a month does a person need to see a therapist? The only reason why I'm going is to get my letters. I am unemployed and have to get side jobs to pay for these sessions. So, yeah, I probably can't afford to see a therapist once a week or even bi weekly. Does that matter? Do therapists care if you can only see them monthly? I don't want to start something and then not be able to follow through because they want a commitment throughout the month. And I don't want to wait to start this process.

According to the WPATH guidelines, the decision of when to start HRT is entirely up to the patient.

Unfortunately, a lot of doctors don't know about WPATH, so it's up to each individual doctor.

Right, you need to find a therapist who is not a gatekeeper and get a referral to a doctor that isn't either. As long as you don't have any other underlying problems, have done your research, and are sure that is what you want to do, they won't stand in your way.  It helps to have had all your labs and physical already done.  There is no minimum requirement for therapy, thankfully.

Going into therapy I already had done a ton of research and told my psychologist that I was interested and in a week I was on hormones, there isn't a mandatory amount of time anymore.

Thanks guys. I was worried because I hear some people talking about going every week and I definitely can't afford $100 a week or so. Good to know I might not have to do that.

Well it kind of depends on if you have any other issues, etc.

I remember a couple of people who went once a month and got HRT letters in the "usual" three months. At least one of them was with Kaiser, and once a month was all he could get. But it does depend on you and the therapist.

I went to 4 weekly sessions. My the*apist knew I was trans from the first phone call, she just wanted to make sure my other issues weren't the cause. I got what's called an "informed consent" letter...I am lucid, and I understand what the effects of HRT are.

It took me 8 months but I only had enough money to see my therapist once a month. If I had more funds I probably could've got the letter in three months.

Oh well...that was a long time ago anyway.

I was in therapy for about a year and ten months before I started HRT and the delay was my doing.   Sometimes I'd go once a month, few times I even went less, though that was due to me gumming up my schedule.  I've been solid bi-weekly now for a while and usually end up looking forward to my next appointment.

I just want to recommend taking advantage of therapy even if you walk out with a HRT recommendation after your first appointment.  I was there, I know how important getting HRT is.  Only, therapy has been an indispensable resource for me to help deal with my own hang-ups about being trans as well as prepping for and then actually adjusting to my new role in life.

To be clear, I did my research too and being trans was my issue.  It was why I was angry all the time and a workaholic.  Just, transition has been like being a professional adult and a kid on the social front at the same time.  Tricky state to deal with and it's been nice to have help.

In short, therapy has gone a long way to letting me have a successful transition and it really can be the start of the process.

And of course good help is contingent upon a good doctor.  So no matter what path you choose, good luck!

I don't know if I would like talking to a person a lot about my issues. I talk to friends about it and think that's enough. I will keep an open mind about it though. I am going to get the letter, but will keep appointments if I think it is helping. Maybe it's what I need.
Does having an anxiety problem affect getting that letter? I have done some research and mental issues could be seen as a person being mentally unstable to do such a thing.

I was in regular therapy for a year and a half before seeing my gender the*apist. My mental issues stem from major childhood sexual and emotional abuse.

I've been diagnosed with DID ("multiple personalities")...I knew that those issues would be significantly reduced if I could get on HRT, because my "system" told me. And in fact, the new DSM mentions many mental conditions show marked improvement after receiving treatment for the dysphoria.

What really hung me up was my co-dependence.  I wouldn't let myself start HRT because of it.

It took me about 4 months of weekly/forsnightly visits for me to get HRT.. but that was my own choice, I wanted to deal with some baggage first..

Quote from: VegasLakers on March 04, 2013, 10:30:54 PM
I don't know if I would like talking to a person a lot about my issues. I talk to friends about it and think that's enough. I will keep an open mind about it though. I am going to get the letter, but will keep appointments if I think it is helping. Maybe it's what I need.
Does having an anxiety problem affect getting that letter? I have done some research and mental issues could be seen as a person being mentally unstable to do such a thing.

A friend won't always give you an unbiased opinion, a therapist will..

My therapist wrote HRT recommendation letters after only one session. When I had my first session I was very clear and concise about what I wanted and what my intentions were. Basically I said " I need to completely transition... Anything less just isn't enough"

She said it was clear that I had thought it all through and knew what I wanted. I had an appointment a month later with my doctor and she prescribed them that day.

Hi Vagas,

The answer to your question is all about you. How do you feel about yourself, internally. Are you prepared for an absolute life changing, mind bending experience. Are there ANY skeletons in your closet. Can you honestly look your self in a mirror and say I truly know myself from the very top of my head to the souls of my feet; without the slightest doubt. None whatsoever?  Do you know, intimately, your sexuality, and I don't mean have you been sexually active. Can you without a shadow of doubt, say you are heterosexual, bisexual, homosexual?

Do you have the slightest doubt about any aspect of yourself?  If there is even an inkling of not knowing an answer to any of the above, well then, you need a therapist.

Transition in its totality will test EVERY part of your existence, either now, or with compounding interest at a later time, which may be just the initiative needed to push you over the top and into places nobody wishes to go. As has already been suggested, friends may not always give you unbiased professional advice.

A therapist is not going to hold your hand. A good one will help you to become the very best you can ever be. Even with the little you may know about yourself presently, is only the tip of the iceberg by the time you've fully experienced transition, and good therapy will set you up to know how to deal with the new horizons that you'll confront. Do not underestimate the changes that will occur.

You need to remember that (from memory) 18% of post op woman still commit suicide. I'm not sure of the figures for men. When you consider you are literally turning yourself inside out, if you are still carrying baggage from your former self, you are not treating yourself the best way possible, and increasing the risk of turning a magnificent journey into something you may not totally enjoy.

What price are you prepared to put on your self? Transition is not something you can 'nickel and dime'. It's not a DIY process. Do you consider yourself priceless? In answering these questions, you'll know what has to be done.

Be safe, well and happy.

Lotsa huggs
Catherine

I appreciate those questions and the reason why I am set on starting this is because I know all of the answers to those questions. This is something I have been dealing with since I was 12 or so, I'm now 25, and have done a lot of soul searching these past 13 years. I wouldn't even consider doing this now if I didn't know myself and what I want to do. I probably wasn't ready when I was 18, when I wanted to do it, I believe that I am now.

I was told it would cost me 4 times a month at $100 a session for 6 months before they would agree to it, $2400 seemed way to high for that, I could just go to another country and get it for less,
I did not go back to that one, and I am done proving myself to others at my expense.

If I could pay $5 for a session, I would go every week, LOL. But the people I have looked up are sliding scale. I am prepared to probably pay $50 a session due to my being job situation and such. I hope it doesn't cost $100 or more.

Quote from: VegasLakers on March 07, 2013, 03:18:09 AM
If I could pay $5 for a session, I would go every week, LOL. But the people I have looked up are sliding scale. I am prepared to probably pay $50 a session due to my being job situation and such. I hope it doesn't cost $100 or more.

Well, I didn't have any insurance back then so this particular place had a program for people in my situation. But I WAS paying almost $300 a month for my HRT back then so while the therapy was dirt cheap, the meds were expensive. (Mostly that frickin' Finasteride and my Spiro once the dose was doubled. Estrace has always been dirt cheap.)