Hello everyone 

Just a question regarding what happens at a gender clinic.  I have only recently began to look at my gender issues and my GP has said we can look at it and refer if need be whenever I want to.  The thing is, what if I am really unsure, or maybe become more certain but feel I may never be able to transition due to family issues.  Would there be any point in having a referral, do they only see people who want to medically transition or are they able to support people who would like to, but can't ??  I am UK based btw...not sure how differing gender clinics are regarding parts of the world.

xx Thanks in advance, Lake 

A gender therapist isn't there for just people that transition. They are there to help people figure it out. Some people may be FTM/MTF but choose to not medically  transition. I am not exactly sure how gender clinics are run in comparison to a gender therapist in private practice, but check out WPATH.org to find a qualified therapist in your area. Also, the front page of this site has a link to  list of therapists. It all mAY work a bit differently in the UK.

There really is no answer to "what happens in a gender clinic" because each and every one is different. 

I can only answer as to what I know of the gender clinics here in Australia - I believe that our gender clinics and those of the UK are more similar to those in the US (which have evolved into mostly "informed consent" clinics).

Even here in Oz, every state has a gender clinic that is different to the next.  In South Australia, the process is that the GP writes you a referral to the psychiatrist who is the head of the clinic.  The psychiatrist then assesses you and, if he deems you transsexual and in need of treatment, will refer you to one of the clinic doctors for hormones and, later, surgery.  Basically the "clinic" is not a place, but a network of doctors who work together to treat trans* patients - a psychologist, a psychiatrist, a gynaecologist/endocrinologist and a plastic/reconstructive surgeon are who compromise the gender clinic here.

Any mental health professional can help you in theory - most people recommend you see a gender specialist, which is usually why they tend to suggest you go through a gender clinic.  I would say that you have a good chance of getting help, suggestions and guidance from a gender clinic.  They are there to help you with your gender issues, whether or not you're transitioning.

First of all, I would ask for the referral now - it's not a case of getting the referral and going to the clinic a week later. You'll be waiting a long time once the referral is sent off - depending on which clinic you go to, where in the UK are you?

You may get referred to a general psychiatrist first - who can then make the recommendation of sending you to a gender clinic. This depends on your GP, that step isn't mandatory, but it's in the "guidelines" and some GP's follow them to the letter.

If all you want from them is support and somebody to talk to, that is what they will provide for you, you won't be forced into medical transition or refused service so don't worry about that

Quote from: Jeatyn on December 11, 2013, 06:46:55 AM
You may get referred to a general psychiatrist first - who can then make the recommendation of sending you to a gender clinic. This depends on your GP, that step isn't mandatory, but it's in the "guidelines" and some GP's follow them to the letter.

This is no longer in the guidelines. Google "interim gender protocol 2013/14" and you'll find no mention of being referred to a CMHT in there. I wasn't sure and ended up with a referral to the CMHT just over 6 weeks ago, I've now printed it out and have an appointment booked with my GP again to try and educate him and skip that step out. I'm not adverse to going there first, only I'd rather not waste any more time if I can help it.

Hey everyone thanks for the replies.  You have reassured me a bit...I was thinking they would question why I had even been referred if I possibly didn't want to ever transition or at least, didn't or couldn't for the time being.  At this stage I am simply after some support I guess.  I'm in sunny Essex *looks out window and ignores pitch black and fog*

Quote from: AlexanderC on December 11, 2013, 10:31:49 AM
This is no longer in the guidelines. Google "interim gender protocol 2013/14" and you'll find no mention of being referred to a CMHT in there. I wasn't sure and ended up with a referral to the CMHT just over 6 weeks ago, I've now printed it out and have an appointment booked with my GP again to try and educate him and skip that step out. I'm not adverse to going there first, only I'd rather not waste any more time if I can help it.

Oh that's good! I didn't realise that had gone through yet. There's a whole *thing* going on with the guidelines lately, I believe we're currently using Scotlands guidelines while we iron our own out?

If you're in Essex I would think you'll be referred to charring cross - which is good, they have the shortest waiting list time (last I checked, I haven't been in the GIC system for a while...and when I say shortest it's still pretty long) and the people there were very friendly and helpful in my experience.

Quote from: Jeatyn on December 13, 2013, 12:45:07 AM
If you're in Essex I would think you'll be referred to charring cross - which is good, they have the shortest waiting list time (last I checked, I haven't been in the GIC system for a while...and when I say shortest it's still pretty long) and the people there were very friendly and helpful in my experience.

Really?  That's different to everything else that I've heard about the waiting times.  Charing Cross is closest to me, but I've been looking at the Laurels in Exeter to reduce waiting times.  There may also be one in Norwich, Norfolk but there is barely any information on it.  I only know because one woman here is going to it.

Quote from: AlexanderC on December 11, 2013, 10:31:49 AM
This is no longer in the guidelines. Google "interim gender protocol 2013/14" and you'll find no mention of being referred to a CMHT in there. I wasn't sure and ended up with a referral to the CMHT just over 6 weeks ago, I've now printed it out and have an appointment booked with my GP again to try and educate him and skip that step out. I'm not adverse to going there first, only I'd rather not waste any more time if I can help it.

I doesn't matter. GP is still able to refer to local service first. My GP went against the guidance and chose make me wait for local assessment first.  Its still possible. Just be massively prepared and very pushy. You have to know everything as they will very likely know nothing, but talk nonsense with absolute confidence.

Akira x

Quote from: Akira21 ♡♡♡ on December 13, 2013, 03:39:58 AM
You have to know everything as they will very likely know nothing, but talk nonsense with absolute confidence.

Quoted for truth xD

With your GP saying you can get a referral when you want one is a good sign. I'm not familiar with the waiting times or the staff in those other clinics you mentioned, once I got my referral I waited around 4 months to be seen in charring cross.

Quote from: Akira21 ♡♡♡ on December 13, 2013, 03:39:58 AM
I doesn't matter. GP is still able to refer to local service first. My GP went against the guidance and chose make me wait for local assessment first.  Its still possible. Just be massively prepared and very pushy. You have to know everything as they will very likely know nothing, but talk nonsense with absolute confidence.

Akira x

I know they can still refer there, but I've been waiting 7 weeks for a CMHT referral and still no word, the whole process takes long enough as it is regardless of the CMHT stuff.  I'm only here for another 5 months, so I don't really have time to be messed around and referred all over the place and have moving confuse things in the process.  I've got paperwork sorted to show him and I'm going to do my best to get him to listen.  If it has to be done then it has to be done, but I want a better reason than ignorance to make him do it.

Sorry if I've come off as irritated at you, my anger is directed at only the NHS.

Hi again Lake

Thank you for asking this question as I too was wondering the same thing. You're one step ahead of me as I still need to come out to my GP (just written a separate post on coming out to doctors).

I took a look online last night at the location of UK gender identity clinics and was shocked at how few there are! I live on the rural South Warwickshire / North Oxfordshire border so none are anywhere near close.

I have a recollection of seeing a gender clinic on TV as part of that 365 days in the NHS series earlier this year and I'm sure it was in Birmingham?

Anyway, good to know what generally happens at these clinics and how to go about getting referred to a specialist somewhere or another. I will just have to see my GP when she's back after Christmas to get the ball rolling...

Let us know how you get on and when you get an appointment etc. Everything re: the NHS takes soooooooo long! It's very frustrating!

Quote from: PenRumbleBear on December 16, 2013, 05:13:21 AM
I have a recollection of seeing a gender clinic on TV as part of that 365 days in the NHS series earlier this year and I'm sure it was in Birmingham?

I remember seeing that too, I think it was Charing Cross in London from  what I can remember.

Quote from: AlexanderC on December 16, 2013, 05:58:02 AM
I remember seeing that too, I think it was Charing Cross in London from  what I can remember.

Ah, well remembered! I was seriously racking my brains as to where it was. Shame it wasn't an hour up the road in Birmingham! Thanks for setting the record straight. :-)

Hello everyone apologies for the delay in replying.  I have to be very careful to not get caught on here, so can read, but can't reply until its safe to do so.   Thank you for the info regarding the clinics, bit gutted that the nearest ones are Norwich and London.  I really struggle to travel very far on my own, so could never get to either of those locations without a friend or someone with me and considering no one knows, I will be a bit stuck. 
Kind of having one of those weeks when I pull back from thinking about it all.  This week I'm all like "just ignore it, you could never transition, perhaps you're fine as you are, just having hairy legs and mens underwear is enough, you have too much to lose,  bla bla bla"  Anyone else like this in the beginning ?

Bear, hello again (can I call you that ?) I will reply regarding your GP on your new thread

Hey Lake

I totally sympathise with having to be careful about reading and posting on the forum. I am in exactly the same situation. Makes it tougher doesn't it? Aargh. Annoying! 

I too will have difficulties if the only option for proper treatment is to attend Charing Cross or Nottingham. At least I drive (I have an adapted car) but I find getting to London a challenge as the rail network isn't especially disabled friendly. I'll see what my GP comes up with once I've seen her on 7th Jan and then cross that bridge when I come to it. I'm wondering already how I will explain to my partner why I need to go such a long way for medical appointments...

Yes, of course you can call me Bear. I like that :-)

Will be interesting to hear what other people's experiences were in their early transition and pre- everything. It's difficult. If I only had myself to think of and not my family and partner, I would do everything possible to get on T right now! No backwards glances! I regret that I didn't transition in my teens, not knowing my 20s would be shattered and lost, as followed my 30s. I have had days like yours and still do. It crushes me knowing that we're currently stuck and trapped in our journey. I try to convince myself that it doesn't matter if I can't do more than wear men's clothing, underwear and keep my hairy legs, but it's not true. Hmmmm. No fair. I think that's why I feel suffocated at the moment and feel like I'm going to explode.

Let's see what other responders say. I guess we're not the only ones who are or have been in this position...?

Go easy on yourself in the meantime. We have the invaluable support of the forum now.

Chin up my friend and I will take heed too :-)

Oh god I hadn't even thought about how I would explain any extra appointments to my partner !  Currently my ones with my GP are booked when the GF is at work and my weekly counselling appointments I have managed to fob off as an allergy clinic as its at a hospital....so wish I could just be honest, do feel bad lying.

With regard to the gender clinics, it sounds like it could be an issue for us both.  I do drive but am very anxious and suffer from panic attacks if I go too far away from home on my own.  Unfortunately the boy in me isn't any braver either lol 

Keeping my chin up, have bought myself a couple of Christmas presents to look forward too....one is a new manly shirt and the other will rot my teeth but hey ho.  I feel like you with regard to age and stuff.  I wish in a way that I had done all this in my early teens, but then I didn't even realise what "it" was.  Now, with a partner, and my whole life laid down and settled, it feels such a massive risk to act on these feelings.  Its like changing the foundations upon which your whole life sits on.  I am with my partner all night now, so if I don't get a chance to sneak on here later, all the best for tomorrow xx

Hey Lake

Sorry for the speedy reply. Had a meltdown today. To cut a long story short, good ole NHS cocked up my admission tomorrow by forgetting to add me to list so had a lot of stress getting me out back on. Anyway, going in as planned for 7am but now don't know whether they'll have sorted my side room request as per my other post? Stressing about that again now.

Happy you bought yourself some Xmas presents. I've bought mine ready and my wife will give them to me on the day (she never knows what to buy me!) - a pair of 10kg kettlebells as have outgrown my 8s & a new hardcore kettlebell workout DVD set. Doing everything possible to muscle up more & lose body fat! I know it'll be a few weeks before I'll be able to do a full workout though.

Hmmm.  We'll have to find a solution to the travelling and explaining the appointments if there is a way round this. As you say, would be so much simpler if we could be honest. Seems like we're well and truly in the same boat with our transitions...

Will get back in touch soon. Have a good Christmas if don't speak before