Ok so I met with this licensed counselor who deals with gender issues and it turns out she just happens to be very liberal, and even shared with me that her daughter is a lesbian. She was not what I was expecting, she was amazing!

First we started talking about my Bi Polar issues, and then when i decided it was the right time to bring up my gender issues, she said to me "your not just feeling this way, its "who" you are!" don't be ashamed and don't feel like God is going to condemn you for what you are.

It was a breath of fresh air in a sea of small town conservative thinking. I get to see her again this friday and I am looking forward to it. 

Sounds like you're off to a good start. I'm glad you found someone understanding.


I think most therapists tend to be liberal, if only because of the nature of the job. Mine certainly is - we get on each other's nerves whenever politics comes up. :/

thanks Zoe, yes well I am sure we may come to a point like that, as I am more middle of the road in politics, but lean liberal, where i might have an argument with a therapist, but so far it doesnt feel like it would go in that direction.

I told her last year I was 2 weeks away from taking hormones with another psychologist/therapist and she said well, im not ready to do that and say your at that place, with just 1 hour of therapy lol.

so i kinda have to start over, even though i had 2 months with the other doctor, im not in any hurry and not 100% sure i want hrt anyways, so its not too straining on me.

I know how you feel, I live in a small redneck city in Ohio that is mostly surrounded by either farms, open land or dairy farms....or smaller redneck towns lol. It may be hard and it may make you wanna hide in a shell (i have tried both lol) but just relax and be yourself and if you ever need to talk to someone who is going thru transitioning in a redneck town feel free to drop me a line on here.

well dressing up en femme is not an option for me for 2 reasons right now.

1. because its dangerous here
2. because all my family is here and i'm not ready to show them that side yet

i will just have to have therapy be enough for me, but of course im working on my body in other ways, like losing weight and getting in shape

Quote from: Shawn Sunshine on April 22, 2013, 11:47:17 AM
Ok so I met with this licensed counselor who deals with gender issues and it turns out she just happens to be very liberal, and even shared with me that her daughter is a lesbian. She was not what I was expecting, she was amazing!

First we started talking about my Bi Polar issues, and then when i decided it was the right time to bring up my gender issues, she said to me "your not just feeling this way, its "who" you are!" don't be ashamed and don't feel like God is going to condemn you for what you are.

It was a breath of fresh air in a sea of small town conservative thinking. I get to see her again this friday and I am looking forward to it. 

That's Awesome. My Small town therapist for Gender Identity Disorder, Shared About her gay son and She had A Trans f2m Friend.
Sounds Alot like my theripest Actually. :3
Just  got out of an appointment with her earlyer today.

That's a breath of fresh air    This makes all the difference, i can tell you from experience. 

In 1987 i signed up for therapy, only to have the guy turn on me and do his professional best to convince me that i was a gay guy.  There was no word, transgender at the time, and quacks who thought we could be 'cured' waddled about freely.

Fortunately i was able to find a doctor for HRT, who didn't trouble me about a therapist's reference.  But lacking community, lacking someone to talk with openly, losing the support of my family and partner, i crashed and stopped my transition... for 25 years.

The importance of a good therapist cannot be underestimated.  Or the damage that can be done by a bad one.

Quote from: Shawn Sunshine on April 22, 2013, 11:47:17 AM
...she said to me "your not just feeling this way, its "who" you are!" don't be ashamed and don't feel like God is going to condemn you for what you are.

It may feel like starting again but two months is no time at all really in our unfortunate double-lives. I'm really pleased you are getting back on track Shawn. Keep smiling hun. x