I recently calld the mazzoni center n talked 2 them bout getting on hormones. .they said stuff bout talking w them n apts ect but also said u dnt need a letter 2 start T from them..

so is there ne pa brothers who have gone 2 the mazzoni center n had this experience?  sry I just wana make sure I have facts straight b4 I drive 3hrs n get disapointed..

I know a lot of FTMs/MTFs who go to the Mazonni Center.  What they told you is correct.  They work from an "informed consent" model.  You will meet with a licensed therapist who will do a "once over" kind of check to make sure you have the mental capacity to "consent" to treatment, then you will meet with an Endocrinologist the same day.  They will give you a blood test.  One month later you will come back and they will have you give yourself your first shot in front of them to make sure you can do it.

That is it!

It usually takes about a month to get in for your first appointment.  So, you can expect to be on T within two months (or maybe a bit longer), from your scheduling of the first appointment.  They take people with no insurance and their attached Walgreens will give you T cheap if you have no insurance (I think like $30).

If you are under 18 you will need signatures from both parents (or whoever has custody).

      ...

awesome! !! im 29 ive ben 2 other places n they told me the same ->-bleeped-<- n was very dissappointed bc I was about 2 get my shot wen they askd 4 my letter..I was humiliated bc the receptionist told me I didnt need one so I drove all that way just 2 go home crying n pissd. .

I thank u 4 ur info. .

What I've heard from people who go there is it is pretty much what people should be doing-- informed consent with lots of available therapy, if you want that. But if you have had therapy already, no reason to be angry. It isn't a horrible thing to have therapy, and probably a good idea anyway.

--Jay

Quote from: aleon515 on August 16, 2014, 02:13:54 PM
What I've heard from people who go there is it is pretty much what people should be doing-- informed consent with lots of available therapy, if you want that. But if you have had therapy already, no reason to be angry. It isn't a horrible thing to have therapy, and probably a good idea anyway.

--Jay

Yes, I think that Mazonni was doing informed consent even prior to that change in SOC Version 7.

Quote from: Brett on August 16, 2014, 03:03:35 PM
Yes, I think that Mazonni was doing informed consent even prior to that change in SOC Version 7.

Perhaps I should preface this by saying that this is what *I* think ought to be done. SOC Version 7 allows for informed consent, but I don't believe in gatekeeping as a model. I think it's dangerous and has more negatives than pluses. Therapy with a whole basis of getting a letter, is going to be lousy therapy. I believe people should go to therapy and be able to be honest with themselves and their therapist.

--Jay

Quote from: aleon515 on August 16, 2014, 02:13:54 PM
What I've heard from people who go there is it is pretty much what people should be doing-- informed consent with lots of available therapy, if you want that. But if you have had therapy already, no reason to be angry. It isn't a horrible thing to have therapy, and probably a good idea anyway.

--Jay

I was angry w this other place I went 2 in buffalo bc they told me I didnt needa letter 2 start T so I went all that way 4 nothing. .

I go with Mazonni, but I was on T for a year when I started and I didn't need to do anything other than I believe show proof I was on T. They're great to work with. Friendly and respectful.

Quote from: aleon515 on August 16, 2014, 05:31:33 PM
Perhaps I should preface this by saying that this is what *I* think ought to be done. SOC Version 7 allows for informed consent, but I don't believe in gatekeeping as a model. I think it's dangerous and has more negatives than pluses. Therapy with a whole basis of getting a letter, is going to be lousy therapy. I believe people should go to therapy and be able to be honest with themselves and their therapist.

--Jay

+1

Woah dude.  Type words.  Your post is mad hard to read.  Not typically a grammar nut, but is our education system really that bad?

I go to the mazzoni center.  I do not believe I needed a letter for T, but I had already had had top surgery - which had required a letter. 

Quote from: aleon515 on August 16, 2014, 02:13:54 PM
What I've heard from people who go there is it is pretty much what people should be doing-- informed consent with lots of available therapy, if you want that. But if you have had therapy already, no reason to be angry. It isn't a horrible thing to have therapy, and probably a good idea anyway.

--Jay

I dnt hava letter wish I did wen I went 2 buffalo 4yrs ago..but now im in my hometown n still very far away no gender therapist in my area itsa small town surrounding amish country. .gender therapy should b in every town..

Quote from: ajtrans on August 24, 2014, 09:36:00 AM
I dnt hava letter wish I did wen I went 2 buffalo 4yrs ago..but now im in my hometown n still very far away no gender therapist in my area itsa small town surrounding amish country. .gender therapy should b in every town..

Yes, as Jay said they have therapy available there.  For the first few months you have to go every month (I think it may depend on the person though), to get your T.  You could set it up so that when you made the trip you could meet with a therapist.  This way you could at least see a therapist once a month for a few months, as I am assuming the don't want to make the long drive to Philly just for therapy.  Your body may change pretty rapidly when you start T, so you might want someone to bounce some things off of, especially since you are dealing with a small town (that probably has some prejudice).

Alternatively, they probably know a therapist who at least has some knowledge living by you, even if they are not an actual gender therapist.

Also, here is a list from the main page of this site:  http://www.drbecky.com/therapists.html

Good luck to you.  Let us know how it goes.

That is where I myself go and have nothing but an amazing experience with them, you don't need any letters and the have their own therapist. The also have a sliding scale model for low income patients which is extremely helpful. Been on T 2 yeArs august 9th with them. I do cream through stroheckers though. Way to chicken for the shots lol

I go to Mazzoni and what Brett said is correct. I was a little different thought. I did my intake there and I was fragile at the time. I did 3 months therapy then scheduled my appointment when things calmed down a bit.

Do not be late for your appointment. They will not see you if you are late.

I love the place, I am comfortable there and I am with people like myself.

You may want to disclose the travel hardship and go over process with them.