What is the criteria for GRS in the U.S?

In the U.K we have to live up to 2 years RLE and be living and working as a female and must have changed all our ID accordingly during that time period. I have been living RLE a lot longer than that, just over 5 years but I am still having difficulty accessing a referral for GRS in the U.K

Who do you have to see in the U.S in order to get a referral. In the U.K we need two written referrals from two gender specialist psychiatrists in order to be comsidered for GRS. What happens in the States?

Any information would be very helpful....

I think it is twelve months. But I'm not sure.

http://www.wpath.org/Documents2/socv6.pdf

QuoteThe Differences between Eligibility and Readiness.
The SOC provide recommendations for eligibility requirements for hormones and surgery. Without first meeting these recommended
eligibility requirements, the patient and the therapist should not request hormones or surgery. An example of an eligibility requirement is: a person must live full time in the preferred gender for twelve months prior to genital surgery. To meet this criterion, the professional needs to document that the real-life experience has occurred for this duration. Meeting readiness criteria -- further consolidation of the evolving gender identity or improving mental health in the new or confirmed gender role -- is more complicated, because it rests upon the clinician's and the patient's judgment.

Later,
Anna

It really varies.  Some therapists (I've never been to one) may issue you a letter rapidly if they feel that you are ready, others may be sticklers for the SOC's "guidelines" (written while laughing).

If you're an American and you a) have no insurance or b) your insurance doesn't cover SRS (as most don't), there are ways around it (just as for a UKer).  IMHO, it's really best to just go to Thailand.  Many Thai doctors will operate if you've been on HRT and doing RLE for at least a year, and if you haven't got the letters that the SOC requires, they have their own therapists that you can have a session with once you get there.  Whereas the SOC requires a lengthy process of therapy to be sure you're really trans, the Thai system seems to only care whether you're mentally competent and responsible to make your own decision.  Of course, this is a bad thing if one isn't really transsexual, but if you know in your heart of hearts that you are, I think it's a good alternative.  It all depends on how willing you are to take responsibility for your own decisions, and personally, I think that that is a superior view.  Not to mention, and this is once again my own personal opinion, Thai surgeons produce better results for less money than the American surgeons.

Lia

QuoteWhat is the criteria for GRS in the U.S?

Most insurance does not cover it. If you have the money you can find someone to get it done. The freedom of choice.

QuoteI don't think an American therapist
would be very impressed with me

It is not your voice but your purse.

I don't think there is any criteria for surgery in the US. I know that most surgeons want letters from your therapist and most use the SOC guidelines. I'm sure that you could by pass all of that and buy a surgeon, of course you would be a fool. I know my Thai surgeon wanted the letters and wanted to know how long I have been doing real life living. As far as I know, there are no rules.
Sheila

The criteria here are pretty much 'can you pay?' Meltzer and Bowers do require that you follow WPATH's SOC for timelines and they require letters from psych professionals as well.

Renate, I have never heard of a therapist who requires a certain 'quality of voice" to provide someone with a letter for surgery. They may exist; but I have never read or heard anyone mention such a person. The old days of that kind of vetting appear done.

N~

Only if there is one within yourself, Renate.

I think you may be right about the willingness to change, etc, as necessary. That might signal to a therapist that that person has some difficulties in going forward and that should probably be explored.

But, I have known a number of women who, imo, neither pass in looks or voice who have been granted letters and used them. They seem to be content with their lives for the most part. The matter seems to be 'of the heart and mind.'

Therapy (I'm prejudiced) can be a wonderful thing when both the clinician and the client discover the profoundly important fact that both learn and grow from the experience. Like any other relationship the therapeutic one is a 'give & take' that involves both in learning and discovery.

I imagine that you will do well. *smile*

N~

Quote from: Sheila on January 14, 2008, 08:50:46 PM
I don't think there is any criteria for surgery in the US. I know that most surgeons want letters from your therapist and most use the SOC guidelines. I'm sure that you could by pass all of that and buy a surgeon, of course you would be a fool. I know my Thai surgeon wanted the letters and wanted to know how long I have been doing real life living. As far as I know, there are no rules.
Sheila

I started my transition 10 years ago and have lived over 5 of these years as a female. I wanted to know if you also need referrals from 2 qualified gender psychiatrist in the U.S like we have to have in England?

Quote from: Berliegh on January 15, 2008, 12:24:16 PM
I wanted to know if you also need referrals from 2 qualified gender psychiatrist in the U.S like we have to have in England?

Depends on the surgeon, as they each define their own requirements. But generally, most follow the SOC, so YES... two letters. One of them being from an actual psych who's qualified to certify someone isn't suffering from other problematic psychological problems.

~Kate~

Quote from: Berliegh on January 13, 2008, 08:56:44 PM
What is the criteria for GRS in the U.S?

In the U.K we have to live up to 2 years RLE and be living and working as a female and must have changed all our ID accordingly during that time period. I have been living RLE a lot longer than that, just over 5 years but I am still having difficulty accessing a referral for GRS in the U.K

Who do you have to see in the U.S in order to get a referral. In the U.K we need two written referrals from two gender specialist psychiatrists in order to be comsidered for GRS. What happens in the States?

Any information would be very helpful....

that's only charring cross.

I've been referred to phil thomas after 1 year RLE