So today was my third time with my therapist. My last appointment I asked about HRT, if I needed a letter or anything, well she told me today that for HRT I need at least a 6 month to a year relationship with a therapist to properly work through my transgender issues. This came from a support group so I'm a bit suspicious. Does this sound right to anyone? I was thinking of calling a clinic that deals with HRT here and see what they say. I'm not sure if my location has anything to do with it but I currently reside in Wisconsin.
Big thank you to everyone

I would say 3 visits might be a bit early but 6 months to a year is on the long side. I would check around because unless you have other issues you need to deal with, it shouldn't take that long. You might also ask you therapist which standards they are using so you can look it up yourself.

One disclaimer. I was born in Wisconsin and have been gone from there for a long time but they do have some very wacky laws on the books. I won't go into it more than that because it involves politics and I don't argue politics here.

Im not sure my first appointment is next week and she said itll be about a year because "the waiting lists are just that long" for hrt here in alberta canada.

Ill play it by ear and see how it goes for now but if i feel im being taken advantage of so she maoes more money in the process ill explore other options. So far she seems extremely friendly and helpful and im sure im also one of her first few trans patients.

~Shan~

If your therapist is following WPATH, and there are other issues, seems reasonable.  If you are under 18, it's kind of reasonable.  If you are fine and are trans, it seems quite long.

Hugs

Jen

Now that I thought about it may not be a bad thing. I've already have 2 months with my therapist and I could use the other 4 to give me a chance to come out to my family and such. Its just after 40 plus years I don't want to wait anymore hehe. I still plan to look into it though.

I saw my therapist for 3 months a total of 4 times. She wrote my letter and im now on my HRT it depends on the person you are seeing. mine has a history of being quick to help where as some will wait a very long to to help. if u want faster results ask around your local community to see who they refer.

That seems like a longtime, although I forget the requirements of the WPATH. I personally followed the ICATH (informed consent model) to bypass the therapist and real life experience requirements.

To be honest, given you are 40, that seems unreasonably long. Unless you have some other major mental health issues they are concerned about in this process then it seems to me they are gate keeping you unnecessarily. As long as you continue to consult with her once you are on HRT then I don't see what her issue is. If you are fine to wait then that's fine, but to me it seems like she's interested in building a relationship with your bank balance.

I'm in agreement with some of the other posts. If you feel the need to talk to a therapist, then go ahead. If not there's usually ways to skip it all.

There's good and bad therapists, so use some judgement and don't automatically trust what they tell you.

I plan on digging into this more, and actually calling to talk with a endo's office that specialize with transgender to see what they say. The therapist I see is fresh out of school and I'm her first transgender client, so I'm hoping its a lack of knowledge and not gatekeeping. I will update when I learn more for anyone interested.

I guess I did the informed consent route as well, I am sorry about your situations, you should look into a different therapist or a hrt clinic that offers informed consent, when I was thinking of going to a therapist, I asked her right away before paying how long it would have taken, they should tell you that from the start.

I too, live in WI. There is no 6 month or more clause. I had 3 visits and then a letter. I was told they will no longer 'fast track' anyone. I'm not sure what that means. I'm not sure what part of Wisconsin you are from but it may be closer to go to Chicago or the twin cities and just do informed consent for the hormones.

Well first let me say Hi LordKAt it's nice to meet someone from my neck of the woods. Unfortunately I'm from the Green Bay area so Chicago or Minnesota will be pretty much out of the question. As it is I will have to travel to Milwaukee because that is the closest doctors to me that will do HRT.