I'm going to updating and revising this thread as I go about finding information about the Orlando Area, as much of what is on the internet is largely outdated and now inaccurate. This should help greatly anyone that is moving here for college or work or whatever!
Need to see a therapist?
Dr. David Baker Hargrove, Ph.D., LMHC, DAPA, CCFC
BHC Assessment & Consulting
801 N. Magnolia Ave., Suite 314
Orlando, FL 32803
http://drdavidbakerhargrove.com/
407-963-5664
david@drdavidbakerhargrove.com
Click here for my Review: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,115540.msg893238.html#msg893238


Just moved here from your old support net and now you feel like you're dying of social starvation? Tired of sitting on a computer all day loosing yourself in WoW or  hoping for a post on facebook or a chat in yahoo from someone that's hundreds of miles away? Join us at a Group EACH WEEK!
So how are the groups here?? When & Where & Afterwards?
We promise, our groups won't leave you feeling like you're walking into a Tri-Ess Tupperware Party ...not that it's bad or anything, we just have alot more FUN with it than that!
Group address posted below
Jump to my post with FULL info HERE: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,115540.msg891026.html#msg891026


Need A Doc, Endo, and/or Gyno?
There are two prominent choices for the Orlando Area: (note, this may only apply to MTF)

Dr. Brenda M. Barry M.D.
Gynecologist
WomenCare, Inc
930 Lake Baldwin Lane
Orlando, FL 32814
(407) 898-1500
http://brendabarrymd.com/
She is the #1 recommendation of those I asked at Group. I was told that an appointment to establish or transfer/update an HRT regime that includes the cost of necessary labwork can run around $200-250, but insurance can be used for this. Patients that have breasts should consider that they will need a OB/GYN anyways for their annual breast exams.... and Brenda will be able to fully provide coverage in this area in addition to your HRT coverage, as well as post op care.
Avg Cost: $210
+ Lab work: $100 - $250
Sliding scale IS available for the Uninsured


Janet R Curtis, ARNP
Nurse Practitioner
Altamonte Primary Care
1706 E Semoran Blvd Ste 115
Apopka, FL 32703-5600
(407) 889-0007
Although primarily a dermatologist, Jan also provides care for transgender clients and is also highly regarded by those that I asked.
Avg cost: $250
+ Lab work: $150 - $250
Sliding scale IS NOT available for the Uninsured




Want to go to College
I've been looking at Seminole State CC but open to other suggestions...
From what Dr Dave had told me, there are a good percentage of transgender students at many of the bigger colleges in the Orlando Area, particularly the Universities...



Need a job?
On your Last leg of Unemployment, that doesn't even pay enough to buy a fancy camera with? Well you may still be in luck! Most of the Big theme parks here in Orlando, like Disney and Sea World; a number of well known retailers like GAP Inc (GAP/Old Navy/Banana Republic), and several other businesses are back to hiring year round, and guess what? those companies I just mentioned, plus a bunch others now INCLUDE the OP in their full-time healthcare insurance coverage, too! Search the forums for details...and be sure your resume is in the correct format (there's a thread for help on that in the forums too)!  You can also come out to one of our peer support groups at The Center and see if any of our regularly attending members has a job lead... we just may be able to hook you up!

Tonight (Tuesday) there is a meeting in downtown Orlando. It starts at 7pm, the address is:

946 N Mills Ave
Orlando, FL 32803

The meetings take place on the first 3 Tuesdays of every month. So if you can't make it tonight, there is always next week as well.

Come tonight and we can answer a lot more of your questions. Though, I may or may not be there. I tend to show up on a whim. But everyone there is pretty friendly.

thanks Samantha

Unfortunately my mother is not letting me drive this week.

I have to try for the next week. 

I'll see if I can schedule my sessions with Dr. Dave to correspond with the group.

Update:

I will be going TONIGHT

I've decided to update this thread with info as I come across it, so others in the situation I was in can use it as well.

Quote from: Samantharz on February 14, 2012, 01:17:10 PM

Code Select Expand

946 N Mills Ave
Orlando, FL 32803

The meetings take place on the first 3 Tuesdays of every month. So if you can't make it tonight, there is always next week as well.

There are several groups each month available to Central Florida's Transgender Community at the address listed above. All groups begin at 7 pm and may be located on the 2nd floor in the back of the Center. Attendees are welcome to mingle and socialize afterwards at one of the many restaurants and bars in the area. For more information and to verify the month's schedule had not been changed, please go to http://www.thecenterorlando.org

Full Time Trans (MTF/FTM): A support group for individuals who are living full time as their true gender. This group is a favorite among the Generation Y populous (teens & twenties), according to several regularly attending members.
Groups meet every 2nd Tuesday

GBT Men (FTM/SO): A social/discussion/support group dealing with male diversity issues for all men 18+.
Groups meet every 1st and 3rd Wednesday

Men In Transition (FTM): A group just for FTM issues, both pre and post-op.
Groups meet every 1st Wednesday

S.O.F.A. (Significant Others & Friends Alliance): A group designated for Friends, Family, Partners, and allies of the Transgendered Community.
Groups meet every 1st Tuesday

Trans Central Station (MTF/FTM/SO): An Informational Support Group for Transgender specific topics and discussions about those in transition and their supporters.
Groups meet every 1st and 3rd Tuesday

Trans Women (MTF): A group just for MTF issues, both pre and post-op.
Groups meet every 4th Thursday NOTE: It was previously held on the 3rd Tuesday, but has been moved to accommodate expansion of the TCS group.

These comprise all the groups that are currently covered at the GLBT Community Center in midtown Orlando! The Transgender populous of the area is MUCH larger than online evidence may indicate. With the liberal efforts of Disney and Sea World becoming fully inclusive to providing employment and FULL medical coverage to their TG employees, I am hopeful Orlando will become a hotspot for such activity like NYC, Miami, Atlanta, Houston, and San Francisco have done in recent years!

To recap for EVERY month*, that's:
1st Tuesday: Trans Central Station, S.O.F.A.
1st Wednesday: Men In Transition, GBT Men
2nd Tuesday: Full Time Trans
3rd Tuesday: Trans Central Station
3rd Wednesday:   GBT Men
4th Thursday: Trans Women

*= excluding holidays.  groups in Italics are open to including trans topics, but don't always include members who are trans themselves.

Dr. David Baker Hargrove, Ph.D., LMHC, DAPA, CCFC
BHC Assessment & Consulting
801 N. Magnolia Ave., Suite 314
Orlando, FL 32803
http://drdavidbakerhargrove.com/
407-963-5664
david@drdavidbakerhargrove.com

Dr. Dave is a GREAT guy- new clients will enjoy their time with him. He has over 15 years of direct hands-on experience with the transgender community and remains Central Florida's ONLY officially certified member of WPATH. From his very first case through to today, he has been the guide for hundreds of clients' transitions, from their first moments of discovery to completion and post-operative success. Dr. Dave is well connected within the region and can provide referrals to other aspects of transgender healthcare as needed. Even though his office is located in mid Orlando, Dr. Dave regularly sees patients worldwide via his Skype internet counseling. He also personally knows several GCS surgeons from his WPATH membership, such as Dr. Christine McGinn, and can provide insight and assistance on helping his clients narrow down their choices for the surgical portion of their transition.

He looks different from his profile picture now, having gone to the clean shaven look. He has a great personality too, one that is insightful, intelligent, and overall makes you feel welcome. he is located on the right side of Magnolia Ave., but clients will need to take a right on Park Lake St. to enter the building and park. His 3rd floor office is big enough to double as a studio apartment arranged in traditional therapist fashion: dimmed lights, big fluffy couch, and a glass table... Some of the items I noticed were various memorabilia from his times providing counseling with various public services and a helmet from when he volunteered in New York in the aftermath of 9/11...While his admission rates run at $40 for a 20 minute session and $100 for a full 50 minute session, he does also offer a 40% discount on 5 full sessions when they are paid in advance ($300 for every 5 sessions, that's $60 a session )  There is also a discounted rate for Students with proof of enrollment.  more information about his background is available on the link above.

Mell,
thank you so much for starting this thread. It was because of this thread I had a clear idea of what I had to do and some of the pepole along the way to help me.
Started seeing doctor Hargrove andhe is sooo kind and insightfull evan when I wasn't comfterble with my self he was comfterble with me. that and he is kinda cute.
I have also started seeing doctor brenda. not that much of a bedside manner. oh well
warmest wishes
~Julia

Quote from: ~Julia on May 27, 2012, 09:57:47 AM
Mel,
thank you so much for starting this thread. It was because of this thread I had a clear idea of what I had to do and some of the pepole along the way to help me.
Started seeing doctor Hargrove andhe is sooo kind and insightfull evan when I wasn't comfterble with my self he was comfterble with me. that and he is kinda cute.
I have also started seeing doctor brenda. not that much of a bedside manner. oh well
warmest wishes
~Julia

hey Julia thanks and welcome to the group too lol loved tonight's after-group yummy lol pm me and well swap info like i said...

Mel,

Thanks for this posting as well I called DR Hargrove this morning and they were not open yet. An hour later my phone rang and I was shocked to find out it was his office admin returning my missed call and I had left no message.  She was super nice and asked me what my goals were and where I am in my process or if I just wanted a letter for HRT. 

It seems they have enlarged the services and she told me the therapist Ann Currie MS I would be seeing, and there is endo and electrogist also available.  Anyway she said basically anything medical I might need was now available in their group which for me is awesome.  I have my first appointment on the 28th Sept so I will update this thread with the current status of there services. 

For me this was just the right fit to not have to go all over town, their not in my insurance but I'll suffer through that one for the care I really need.

Thanks again for this lead and being so detailed. Wow a doctor's office that calls back their missed calls that's a first on me.

They dropped the 2nd Tuesday meeting starting September 2015

1st Tuesday: General Meeting
3rd Tuesday: Geared towards Full Time issues, but anyone is welcome
4th Tuesday: "Between the Lines" For those who fall outside the gender binary

NOTE: Several months ago the Center moved one door down while its old location is being renovated. Their new location is right next to their old one, so it shouldn't be hard to find.