Hi all, I am opting to go by Kelsey. It is a long story, but basically this was supposed to be my name if I had been born a gg (which the dr's were convinced of, yet out i came as a baby boy)... I like the name so no sense in reinventing the wheel!

This is all very new to me, and as the post suggests, my interest and intentions have escalated very quickly. Just about 2 months ago, I tried on a few articles of womens clothing, nothing major, just my SO's jeans shirt and bra - now here I am exploring where I fit in to the world. It was like a lightbulb went on in my head, and it all makes sense now (to a degree). I am hoping to see a therapist soon to talk it through. There are many hurdles in my life to overcome if this is to go beyond clothes... active at church, married, conservative friends and family. Deep down I know it should, but I am scared. In some ways I wish I could put the genie back in the bottle, but I think it is too late for that!

If anyone has a good recommendation for a therapist in the SF bay area, send me a pm, would very much appreciate a reference over taking a random person.

Welcome to Susan's Place. You might want to check out the local LGBT center as there is a very strong transgender population in the bay area. When I started down the the road, SF was the first place I considered and I would have ended up there except Orange County was closer and treatment was available there. You are interested in finding a Gender Therapist. Let us know if there is anything else we can help you with.

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Thank you Dena, much appreciated. Part of my trouble here is keeping things under the radar from my spouse while I get a lay of the land. Being up front at this point would probably be a very bad idea. There is a therapist my wife and I are considering going to for other reasons who states on her page she deals in gender therapy as well,  and considering going to her. At the very least it wouldn't arouse suspicion... You are right though, maybe I will try and get out to an LGBT support group and see what I can find out from those with experience. So many emotions, I am spinning.

Hi Kelsey 

Welcome to Susan's    Glad to have you here, join on in the fun

Hugs

V M

Hi Kelsey,

A big Aussie welcome to Susan's family. It's good of you to drop in and say "Hi". Hope you like it here, and you stay for a while.

There is a mountain of information, resources and friendship waiting for you here, you just need to jump in start talking and ask any question you like. You're quite safe here and we are very accepting.

Sounds like you're off to a good start. That therapist will go a long way in helping you navigate the labyrinth of emotions and experiences you'll face along the way.

Just expect your current lifestyle to be turned upside down and inside out, at the same time and you get some understanding wht you're heading for. Don't worry or be nervous, it's quite natural and scenery is fantastic and the end result is unimaginable reality.

Looking forward to hearing more of your story in time to come, but in the meantime, be safe, well and happy.

Lotsa huggs
Catherine