I have been thinking a lot about transition and the wait for psych assessment.

I have a few issues with transition in my country (Australia). Over here you have to wait a very long time to start HRT.
This might be well and good for some of us but to be blunt, I don't need a therapist to tell me who I am or sort out anything they feel needs to be sorted. Don't get me wrong, this is not an attack on therapy or anyone who attends therapy however it is not for me, I have never been a fan of seeing a therapist and don't really plan on making it a regular occurrence although if it is required for me to transition I don't have much of a choice.

Now to get to my question, has anyone ever gone through an online therapist or gone through the trouble to go overseas for informed consent? Can you even do something like that? it's not that I have a huge issue with waiting 2 or 3 months but over that? Give me a break. I have seen girls get their HRT in the US after their first appointment or 2. I don't think Australia has informed consent for this..  Please correct me if I'm wrong.. Also I am extremely sorry if this offends anyone, that's not my intention. I am just trying to explain how I feel and how I see things. I am completely comfortable in who I am, I don't need a therapist to tell me what I can and can't do or should and shouldn't do. I hope you ladies will understand what I'm trying to say. If you are for therapy, against it or even neutral, your insight would be welcomed with open arms. After all, we're here to support each other, discuss issues and all that other stuff us girls talk about. We're all different.

I don't know , but if you have private insurance or the money to do it you can go any where.

Therapist can let you know about things related to transition that you didn't think of. They also provide support for when things get tough. I wanted to do informed consent as well, but I am glad I didn't. My therapist and I have not always agreed on things, but it is nice to have a non biased opinion now and then. I think they are valuable to the transition process providing letters for HRT and SRS as well as letters acknowledging your transition so there are hopefully no problems related to bathrooms and locker room usage. Please consider using one.

Lucky for you, we have a small army of Aussies who will be able to guide you.

It is kinda' prime time, peak hour in America right now, but the demographic will change soon.

I read a post just recently by the Global Moderator Cindy, who is an Adelaide.  I believe she said that the normal course of events is three meetings with the therapist, and then on to HRT, unless one is morbidly obese or has other medical contraindications.

I agree, most of us know our own minds.  But when it comes to some of these momentous life-changing decisions, it is good to hear from a third party.

Thanks for the replies so far!

@Jessica - I will agree that times get tough, but I'm very thick skinned. Besides, transition is a piece of cake compared to what some of us transfolk have dealt with in our lives, right? I mean I don't know for sure cause I'm just me, we all come from different walks of life after all. With informed consent I wouldn't have many issues to deal with and as for public restrooms or change rooms, I never use them not because I'm trans but because I find them unsanitary. I'm a clean freak like that, haha.

@Tori - prime time peak hour? What do you mean by that?

@Jamie - yes there are typically 3 sessions over a 3 month period but before that is the waiting list which has people waiting 3 months or longer and that is too long for my liking. I have things to do, places to be. I can't be waiting around on someone that isn't going through what I and other transfolk go through. To most I may seem impatient, I'm not that old but I've lived long enough to make my own decisions.

I hope I'm not sounding rude, it's not the way I mean it.

I mean this is when Americans are generally awake and off work.

The Aussies will come out of the woodwork soon.

Sorry you have to wait. There will be quite a lot of waiting after you start HRT as well.

Patience is one of those qualities you're going to develop, if you transition. And many of us start off impatient.

There may be other methods to start HRT and gain letters etc, but likely nothing based on WPATH, and that could open up a whole bunch of complications for you further down the line. You're going to have a much easier time down the track if you follow the normal process now. Also consider things like referrals to endos, voice therapists etc that a psychologist can offer. They're there to help you from the start till the end.

While you may see the wait as pointless ( I waited ~5 months from calling the psych until the first pill ), HRT is only one part of transition. There are countless other things you can do in that time. Such as voice training, hair removal, weight gain/loss etc. I started all of those at the same time I made the first phone call, and sure am glad I did.

So yes, you do seem impatient. Don't let it get the better of you. There is so much you could be doing now towards transition besides HRT.

Good luck. xx

Quote from: Freyjja on January 13, 2014, 07:10:00 PM
I have been thinking a lot about transition and the wait for psych assessment.

I have a few issues with transition in my country (Australia). Over here you have to wait a very long time to start HRT.
This might be well and good for some of us but to be blunt, I don't need a therapist to tell me who I am or sort out anything they feel needs to be sorted. Don't get me wrong, this is not an attack on therapy or anyone who attends therapy however it is not for me, I have never been a fan of seeing a therapist and don't really plan on making it a regular occurrence although if it is required for me to transition I don't have much of a choice.

Now to get to my question, has anyone ever gone through an online therapist or gone through the trouble to go overseas for informed consent? Can you even do something like that? it's not that I have a huge issue with waiting 2 or 3 months but over that? Give me a break. I have seen girls get their HRT in the US after their first appointment or 2. I don't think Australia has informed consent for this..  Please correct me if I'm wrong.. Also I am extremely sorry if this offends anyone, that's not my intention. I am just trying to explain how I feel and how I see things. I am completely comfortable in who I am, I don't need a therapist to tell me what I can and can't do or should and shouldn't do. I hope you ladies will understand what I'm trying to say. If you are for therapy, against it or even neutral, your insight would be welcomed with open arms. After all, we're here to support each other, discuss issues and all that other stuff us girls talk about. We're all different.

I can understand what you are feeling. I'm in the U.S. and it took me 8 months to get a letter and another two months before I had the scripts in my hands. So, I can relate to what you are feeling right now. BUT, one thing that will help you is not to worry so much and just let time take its course. I was agonizing every frickin day until I popped the first pills. It didn't do me any favors at all. Just relax and let things go as they will. It will make it that much sweeter once you reach your goal.

One comment I'll make about waiting lists.. I was expecting a 3-6 month wait to see my therapist.. I waited maybe a month.. I expected the same kind of wait when I got my HRT referral, I waited 2 days..

I do sympathise, after all I went through the same system in the same place.

No one is delaying you getting therapy but there is a queue. There are people who booked ahead of you, would it be fair to bump them to let you ahead?

In Victoria the delay is massive, in Sydney there is one therapist who has a shorter queue, in WA there is no queue, there are no therapists so they join the Victorian list. In Brisbane much the same.

Believe it or not the informed consent model in Adelaide is one of the most liberal in the world, Callen-Lord the 'home' of informed consent can take a year for informed consent to be approved, and the wait to join the queue.

It is sad and can feel intolerable, there has been a three fold increase in referrals in SA and no other psychs are willing to join the party and accept TG people for therapy.

What are the three sessions in SA?

First take a history.
Second tell you what you are going to go through in every aspect of life.
Third are you willing to accept that

Then a referral to one of the two endos who are willing to treat TG people (MtF) it is easier for FtM.

Whose fault is this bottle neck? The Federal and State government. Not the therapists, not the endos, not the clients.

As Kelly said let the secretaries at the clinic know that you will take any cancellations then you may get bumped up.

In the mean time, get laser/electrolysis, get use to socialization, start the thousand things you need to transition. There is no law in Australia that prevents you living as you FT at any time.

I know some doctors here in QLD who operate on informed consent. Unfortunately for this very specific purpose there is a 4/5 chance you don't live in QLD (I mean, given the choice who would stay? ) Cairns sexual health clinic is brilliant, and I know a woman who got on estrogen in 2 or 3 weeks with Dr Fiona Bisshop in Brisbane (although I don't know if she actually puts herself out there as someone supporting the informed consent model).

I haven't met anyone here in Brisbane who actually went to a gender therapist specifically. I know some doctors want you to have an official diagnosis, but no actual counselling first.

I'll also mention that I went in to therapy knowing who I was and what I wanted.. Rob's never seen me in 'guy mode'..

And I won't lie, he's been handy to have around from time to time.. He's also challenged me, upset me, asked things I didn't want him to and generally done all the things a good therapist should do.

Thanks for the words of wisdom and information  girls. It's been a big help. I haven't had the best day and got a little crazy, sorry about that!

Why I understand a therapist is useful  I'm still not sold on the idea, I can't predict the future though, so who knows what I'll decide. Whatever is faster and easier for me most likely and of that means a little travel expense, I'm okay with that. I don't have much facial hair at all and my goal is to prevent further change in my body before I have to leave for a  vacation and I cannot disappoint my family by not going with them as it's the first family vacation we've had for a very long time! (I have a large family so we don't do on vacation often)

@Cindy - I would never ask such a thing, I wouldn't put someone in my shoes, that's why I was seeking informed consent. I really appreciate all the help and information you have provided me, it means the world, you're a gem Cindy

@Sir Wafflinton - I get the "who would stay" xD I used to live in Townsville as a kid xD haha
I did read about a man called Dr Darren Russell on Cairns. Really? I see would you mind telling me more? I am not apposed to travel would she also write for an endo or not?

Thanks all of you! So many replies and I really am grateful for each and every word you girls have given me hope you all have a wonderful day.   

QuoteNo one is delaying you getting therapy but there is a queue. There are people who booked ahead of you, would it be fair to bump them to let you ahead?

It's not that you're having to wait, there's just a long line 

I suppose that's one way to look at it!           

Freyjja, you're correct about the ease of obtaining HRT in the U.S.   And I agree with you feelings about requiring approval from a therapist.

Quote from: Freyjja on January 14, 2014, 08:45:10 AM
Why I understand a therapist is useful  I'm still not sold on the idea, I can't predict the future though, so who knows what I'll decide. Whatever is faster and easier for me most likely and of that means a little travel expense, I'm okay with that. I don't have much facial hair at all and my goal is to prevent further change in my body before I have to leave for a  vacation and I cannot disappoint my family by not going with them as it's the first family vacation we've had for a very long time! (I have a large family so we don't do on vacation often)

I didn't see any need for a therapist to start with.. Turns out he was handy - not so much for gender issues, as I already had that sorted, but very handy for offloading a life times worth of baggage..

I think I also got most benefit from my gender therapist for the 'general' issues in my life. But regarding trans issues, it's very helpful to have a confidant you can be 100% open with.

Sometimes I wonder if Canada is the only civilized place concerning HRT, and gender in general. Most endos here work on informed consent, or if they demand therapy, one or two visits ought to do it. I feel sorry for you girls who thru' geography, or outdated medical practices, are made to jump thru' hoops to obtain what is universally known as proven therapy. Do medical gatekeepers not know that to someone suffering from GD badly enough to seek treatment, that even a few months can be critical?
When I approached my Dr. about HRT, I expected the runaround. When he said 'Sure, let's go ahead with HRT', I was taken aback. I asked him about gatekeepers. He had some interesting responses.
-In a time that ten year olds can order HRT over the internet, the gatekeeper has become obsolete.
-HRT is a diagnostic tool. If it turns out you are NOT TS, you will not like it, and stop.
-With the information avail. on the net, most patients walk in with an excellent knowledge of dosages, effects, and side effects. Most TS's know more about hormones than GP's.
-Most Doctors, even in remote areas, know that the most common side effect of NOT prescribing HRT, is suicide.
It is time for medicine to catch up to common sense. Doctors who are reluctant to prescribe are usually doing it out of social/religious pressures, not sound medical knowledge.

Yes Paula! Exactly, I agree 100%
I don't understand why we all can't make our own choices. Therapy should be a choice, not a requirement.

@Kelly and Nikko - I have had enough therapy in teen years to last a life time. General issues aren't a big problem for me. While I respect people who decide on or require therapy, I am a stubborn woman who takes my problems on alone. I am just more of a lone wolf type. I don't like to let people know my issues, I solve them myself and if I can't, I just live with it. I am very happy with all aspects in my life. I have a wonderful family and financial stability.  My only issue is with my body and T. Other than that I am pretty happy with life.

Quote from: Freyjja on January 13, 2014, 07:10:00 PM

I have a few issues with transition in my country (Australia). Over here you have to wait a very long time to start HRT.

This wasn't my experience. I spent three sessions with a Sydney psychiatrist before he gave me the green light for HRT (he said he'd have given them to me after the first session if I'd asked). I started taking HRT as soon as I could get an appointment with an endo. So all up, it took a few months, but there were no arbitrary delays imposed upon my getting HRT. What gives you the impression that it takes so long to start HRT in Australia?