I have a history of gathering my nerve to go see a therapist (like my school therapist) and then losing it all when I reach the front door. I always chicken out and say, "I'm fine." I've just never been comfortable talking about my feelings in person, really. (Hence, why my "coming out" to my mother was difficult for me and hardly efficient.)

But anyway, I heard someone mention online therapy, and the idea makes me curious because it seems like it would help with my anxiety issues. Does anyone have more information on this? If you have gone through online therapy, what's it like? What are the costs, usually? Any other helpful tips?

Thanks, guys (and ladies).

This link contains a list of online gender therapists:

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?topic=121007.0





The costs depends on who you go to.  Some online therapists will work on a sliding scale while others will work with insurance.

I got online therapy for my top surgery recommendation letter, and I personally had to pay $160 per session for three sessions in order to get my letter.  As for tips, I say if you want to do online therapy, then do not let fear hold you back.  Be yourself and hold nothing back (after all, you're paying for it, be it your time, money, or both.). 

It's not hugely different from doing therapy in person. In person your on their furniture and online in your own seeing each other via video. Everything else is basically the same. It's worth a try if you feel it will help your anxiety issues. I have done both and where I do it doesn't really matter to me, but you need to find the method that will work for you. If you don't mind my asking what the anxiety issues your having in regards to going to therapy. Maybe we can help settle some of those fears and concerns you have to allow you to be more comfortable with therapy regardless of the setting. I was extremely anxious going into my first session, but after getting out of the gate my anxiety completely went away. Good Luck and Hugs
Mariah

Quote from: fallofadam on March 31, 2015, 10:02:16 AM
I have a history of gathering my nerve to go see a therapist (like my school therapist) and then losing it all when I reach the front door. I always chicken out and say, "I'm fine." I've just never been comfortable talking about my feelings in person, really. (Hence, why my "coming out" to my mother was difficult for me and hardly efficient.)

But anyway, I heard someone mention online therapy, and the idea makes me curious because it seems like it would help with my anxiety issues. Does anyone have more information on this? If you have gone through online therapy, what's it like? What are the costs, usually? Any other helpful tips?

Thanks, guys (and ladies).

Quote from: Mariah2014 on March 31, 2015, 01:03:22 PM
It's not hugely different from doing therapy in person. In person your on their furniture and online in your own seeing each other via video. Everything else is basically the same. It's worth a try if you feel it will help your anxiety issues. I have done both and where I do it doesn't really matter to me, but you need to find the method that will work for you. If you don't mind my asking what the anxiety issues your having in regards to going to therapy. Maybe we can help settle some of those fears and concerns you have to allow you to be more comfortable with therapy regardless of the setting. I was extremely anxious going into my first session, but after getting out of the gate my anxiety completely went away. Good Luck and Hugs
Mariah

I've suffered from severe anxiety since I was about 10, and I have only opened up about my depression or deeper feelings twice (once when I was 10 and once when I was 16) and both times they were ignored by my mother. I guess that's probably where some of this anxiety comes from.

On top of that, I am always known as "the good child" and part of me is afraid to ruin that image.

Quote from: King Malachite on March 31, 2015, 12:48:40 PM
This link contains a list of online gender therapists:

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?topic=121007.0





The costs depends on who you go to.  Some online therapists will work on a sliding scale while others will work with insurance.

I got online therapy for my top surgery recommendation letter, and I personally had to pay $160 per session for three sessions in order to get my letter.  As for tips, I say if you want to do online therapy, then do not let fear hold you back.  Be yourself and hold nothing back (after all, you're paying for it, be it your time, money, or both.).

Thanks so much for the link. Would I be able to get the green light for T through online therapy as well?

Quote from: fallofadam on March 31, 2015, 02:12:04 PM
Thanks so much for the link. Would I be able to get the green light for T through online therapy as well?

Yes they are capable of righting the letter you need for that.
Mariah


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Quote from: Mariah2014 on March 31, 2015, 02:51:42 PM
Yes they are capable of righting the letter you need for that.
Mariah


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Oh, awesome! I'm going to look into this more. Thanks!

I've gone to 2 online therapists who both used a simple chat window as the interface instead of skype. They were both friendly and I felt at ease talking to them, even though I dislike talking about myself. It was very flexible and comfortable for me.

I went through informed consent to start HRT because my first therapist was moving the process along too slowly for my liking. I spent about $120 on 3 sessions with her. I got a referral for top surgery from the second therapist for $320. I personally can't recommend my first therapist to someone else, but I would recommend the second in a heartbeat. I'm happy to message you both of their names and contact information if you're interested.

Quote from: ftmax on March 31, 2015, 02:54:30 PM
I've gone to 2 online therapists who both used a simple chat window as the interface instead of skype. They were both friendly and I felt at ease talking to them, even though I dislike talking about myself. It was very flexible and comfortable for me.

I went through informed consent to start HRT because my first therapist was moving the process along too slowly for my liking. I spent about $120 on 3 sessions with her. I got a referral for top surgery from the second therapist for $320. I personally can't recommend my first therapist to someone else, but I would recommend the second in a heartbeat. I'm happy to message you both of their names and contact information if you're interested.

Yes, please! I would really appreciate the contact info of the one you would recommend. Thanks a lot for the reviews!

Quote from: fallofadam on March 31, 2015, 04:21:51 PM
Yes, please! I would really appreciate the contact info of the one you would recommend. Thanks a lot for the reviews!

Sent you a PM just now. Let me know if I can help you with anything else.

Quote from: fallofadam on March 31, 2015, 02:12:04 PM
Thanks so much for the link. Would I be able to get the green light for T through online therapy as well?

That would depend on your endocrinologist.  If you plan to take T, I would check with your endocrinologist to see if they would accept a letter from an accredited online therapist.  Most seem to, but I have heard of a couple of isolated cases where some would not, so it is best to check with them first.  The online therapist that I used was Dr. Carol Clark, and she was amazing.

Quote from: ftmax on March 31, 2015, 04:43:39 PM
Sent you a PM just now. Let me know if I can help you with anything else.

Thank you for being so helpful

Quote from: King Malachite on March 31, 2015, 07:59:22 PM
That would depend on your endocrinologist.  If you plan to take T, I would check with your endocrinologist to see if they would accept a letter from an accredited online therapist.  Most seem to, but I have heard of a couple of isolated cases where some would not, so it is best to check with them first.  The online therapist that I used was Dr. Carol Clark, and she was amazing.

Ah, thanks for the heads up! Don't know how much good this would do me if I can't get T from it.

Quote from: fallofadam on March 31, 2015, 11:00:40 PM
Ah, thanks for the heads up! Don't know how much good this would do me if I can't get T from it.

If you're near a major city, I wouldn't see it being a problem. There are usually enough doctors around that you can shop a bit. But I would most definitely plan your therapy around what your doctor will accept. If you're planning on top surgery at any point, it would be good to look at what the surgeons you like most require from their patients and inquire directly with the office. OR you can ask your potential therapist if they've ever written a referral to a specific surgeon. I asked my therapist before I agreed to service if he had ever referred to Dr. Fischer for top surgery. It just makes it easier.

I wonder can these online therapist help one with the green light for srs ... I can't keep this thing for a full other year. I want it gone.


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Quote from: TinaVane on December 18, 2015, 04:28:49 AM
I wonder can these online therapist help one with the green light for srs ... I can't keep this thing for a full other year. I want it gone.

It won't say on the letter whether it was an online session or in-person. The surgeon will just see a letter from a therapist. So the answer to your question is yes, they can.

I havent done online gender therapy but I have done some skype sessions with voice therapy and it's definitely doable and not much different from in person.

Quote from: TinaVane on December 18, 2015, 04:28:49 AM
I wonder can these online therapist help one with the green light for srs ... I can't keep this thing for a full other year. I want it gone.


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Speaking from experience, yes, they can.