Here is something else i was wondering about. Like she knows she is a girl and all, but has never had counseling. She she get some, or just do the informed consent methood. She seems to be quite sure of what she wants

Yes you need to go through counselling first, the standard is 3 months before you rrecieve a letter of recommendation for hrt

I'd have thought so, to make sure you're fully able to understand and accept the feminisation hrt will bring about and the dangers that hormones can bring about

it depends. if your primary care doctor is will to write you a Rx then no.
they may normally only do this if they have known you for years though and you have been really open about you GID

It depends on what state you live in. (I think)Technically you do not need therapy to begin HRT. When I started HRT I did go to therapy and get a HRT letter but my endo never even asked anything about me being in therapy. It might have helped that I wasn't wearing my male costume at the time. Never-the-less, personally, I would still recommend therapy. I was one of those people that was sure I didn't need therapy. But I found out after I went that it was actually pretty helpful. Not just for the actual therapy but my therapist had a ton of resources to help transition. Like docters in the area and laser treatment places and she also put me in contact with other girls in the area. But, it is up to her what she wants to do.

<3 Liv

It isn't necessary, but I think it is best to go through counselling before moving forward.  Personally, I am one hundred percent sure of my gender, but I need some guidance and emotional support while transitioning.  It's tough for me and lots of us.  It may be very beneficial for her to consider that in order to build up more inner strength.  Though, some people don't need it. 

Tell her I wish her luck!

What state are y'all in, Hailey?

Here in Cali they operate on the informed consent model. That means start whenever you are ready. No letter or counseling necessary. I agree with others though, I think it's a great idea to find a therapist and have at least a few sessions beforehand.

Local laws may vary. That being said, I have to admit that I wanted counselling prior to starting HRT. Transitioning a bit on the late side (almost 40 ), I thought it might be good to ensure that I'm not going off and doing something on a whim that is significantly too serious to handle that way. In the end it helped clear my mind, and I am pretty sure that the lack of any great anxiety attacks can, at least partially, be put down to having become much more confident in my decision.

It depends on the doctor the state or region your in does not matter. The standards of care are there as a guideline. The endo I went to is really experienced with trans patients and opperates on the informed consent model. So basically if you dont want to do conselling then ask around and see if you can find a doctor that practises informed consent.

I never needed counselling first ....
But I'm in Canada

The great thing about counseling is that it can't really hurt. Just don't do the whole acquiring medications from overseas without a prescription thing like I did, I think I messed something up with that...

I am in with the school of thought that counseling is beneficial, and a good counselor can help you focus on your gender issues.

Just speaking about natal males for a moment, you may be a MtF transsexual, androgyne, crossdresser, interesexed (such as partial or mild androgen insensitivity syndrome or Klinefelters), or even genderless.  There are many ways you can go to deal with you GID.  HRT is not the cure-all for every person with gender dysphoria.

I think counselling is very important.

I know a number of MtF who are struggling with their lives post and during HT and why? Maybe they needed to talk stuff through with someone with experience in the area.

As another poster said, it won't hurt.

And while we try and give support here, how much better would it be if you had an expert to talk to?

Quote from: muuu on May 07, 2013, 06:11:25 AM
Actually, it can, quite a bit.

i agree with this. the first time i told the truth to one it cost me 10 months in patient and i think it was 4 months ish out patient. but in all fairness to them they said it was needed. but if your doing GID and not a danger to yourself or others then i would think you have nothing to worry about when it comes to talking to them.

Actually, the endocrinologist society standards allow an exception should a patient threaten to self medicate using online hormones. It's better to have physician supervision, especially with oral estrogens, then allow the risk of a thrombolytic event, including PE, MI, or Stroke.

Though I do not recommend it, I did a heap of research and self-medicated for a year or so (both spiro and E sublingual). When I went to my gender therapist for the first time, I told her, and she said since I was already on them, she feels bound to write me a prescription to ensure I was getting proper dosages/meds legally (which, by the way, I order now from Canada, where it is about 1/4 of the cheapest US price... but that's another story). To my credit, the dosages/meds I assigned myself were spot on. 

The truth is, only you know your heart and what you want. All the therapist can do is help you work through the issues and see the If HRT followed by SRS is right for you. There something else you need to consider, and that is that many dysmorphic patients find relief with low dose HRT therapy because it helps reduce or stop repetitive gender identity disorder thoughts. However, for some, only HRT followed by SRS will make one whole. Therapist are good at helping you work through the issues. It's important that you choose the right one for you. Someone experienced in dealing with transgendered patients. Working with the wrong therapist could be as dangerous as self-medicating.

I'm 50and have had deep feelings, dysmorphic feelings for at least 20 years. Lately, the last five years, have been difficult. I'm divorced I have two children both grown. A twentynine-year-old and a twenty-seven year old. Both are highly educated. My daughter has been terrific. I'm very close to her and she's very understanding. My son less. Going to a counselor helps work out issues like dealing with family. Helping to understand what you're going through. So it's not always necessary to deal with the gender dysmorphia, It could be helpful for dealing with the collateral damage.

I started HRT yesterday and I feel confident that I'm doing the right thing. So much so, that I used pellets that will provide a constant rate of absorption for the next seven months. I'm committed. And I intend on SRS and facial feminization surgery next May. For those on the fence, HRT does provide a period of adjustment in which one can find out if one is serious about taking the most serious and irrevocable steps.

Thank you for being here for me. It is been so helpful to discover that I'm not alone in my feelings and experiences.

I knew exactly what I was doing and was medically supervised by my endocrinologist. My E levels blew out within two weeks and I was a walking thrombotic event waiting to happen. If I hadn't been under supervision things could have been rather nasty.

As for the therapist, I have found no harm and a lot of good in my therapist. BUT, he is vastly experienced in gender issues and is an International expert in the area, I have complete confidence in him and have appreciated his comments. If I was under a none experienced person I would have a different opinion.

So I think the quality of the therapy is most important.

Cindy

I'm not sure that therapy is needed for all of us who make this journey.  I spent over a year visiting a therapist twice a month at first and then once a month and I feel it was a waste of time.  The only thing I got out of the 'therapy' was one of my letters of recommendation for surgery.  I know that there are some who might have other problems that need to be sorted out before making the step into transitioning but I wasn't one of them.

Teresa

I hear you, tristan. In 1987 therapy hurt both my state of mind and, as i had very little money, my finances too.  I have only restarted transition 25 years later.

Bastard tried to 'cure' me by trying to convince me that i was really a gay man, which by 1987 had become socially acceptable.

In my opinion, the essence of social work is socialist: everybody needs to 'fit in'.  The individual and her struggles don't exist. 

Transition is a solemn, gut-wrenching, fundamental decision, not taken lightly by the individual. The men imposing standards (without even asking us) need to know that.

I disagree with the standards. Authored by men. I disagree with the notion of therapists as gatekeepers to HRT & SRS.

Power corrupts.

Quote from: Tristan on May 07, 2013, 03:58:24 PM
i agree with this. the first time i told the truth to one it cost me 10 months in patient and i think it was 4 months ish out patient. but in all fairness to them they said it was needed. but if your doing GID and not a danger to yourself or others then i would think you have nothing to worry about when it comes to talking to them.