I will be starting gender therapy Tuesday. I know this subject has likely been done before many times, but usually how many times will I have to go to therapy before being referred to a doctor that will start my HRT? I don't want to sound impatient, but being 32, I have a greater sense of urgency regarding making the transition. I hope I put this in the right section of the forums, if not, I'm so sorry! Thanks to everyone in advance!

Quote from: Lydia2937 on November 04, 2018, 01:50:51 AM
I will be starting gender therapy Tuesday. I know this subject has likely been done before many times, but usually how many times will I have to go to therapy before being referred to a doctor that will start my HRT? I don't want to sound impatient, but being 32, I have a greater sense of urgency regarding making the transition. I hope I put this in the right section of the forums, if not, I'm so sorry! Thanks to everyone in advance!

Believe me we are all impatient when it comes to us wanting to be Who We Are it really depends on the person and the therapist I believe for me I started after I believe it was seven or eight months I got to get an appointment with the endocrinologist to start hormones but I've heard it can also take up to a year for some people it really just depends on you how you open up to your therapist be honest with your therapist and you'll get to start eventually but trust me I guarantee at least 95% of us were in a hurry to start we wanted to start so impatience is definitely something that all of us experienced LOL

Sent from my LG-LS777 using Tapatalk

I have heard of people who get their letter on the first appointment, the third appointment and some after months of therapy. It depends somewhat on the doctor and just how ready you are to start your transition. If you have problems that need to be resolved before starting hormones, it can delay the process. The best results will come if your completely open with the therapist and then you ask with the policy is on starting HRT.

You can always take your time and let the therapy process play out first. Might find out something important.

If there are no complicating factors, you could get your referral very quickly.  I got mine in three hours, split over two sessions.  Half of that time was spent talking about informed consent, which you need to do so that your consent can be informed, so it is hard to see how it could responsibly be done in less time.

"Complicating factors" would include any psychological issues that may affect your judgement about who you are or what you want.  If you have family or work issues that could complicate your transition, a good therapist would want you to spend some time talking about those.

I hear you on the sense of urgency!  I was 61 when I started seeing my therapist.  I was like, "Let's get this show on the road already!"

Here in the U.S., the average is 3 months. If your condition is verified by the doctor, then you should see your referal. There are a few that have done it in 1 session, and a few it took years. It's fairly individual, as it is a medical diagnosis.  In my experience, you still have to interview with the doctor that prescribes the hormones after the therapist. It wasn't a big deal for me, I was prescribed after an hour or so.  If it turns out that it's moving too slowly for you there is always informed consent. 32 isnt "old", so dont worry about that. A little time to ensure that you're on the correct path is not going to make much of a difference now that you've been through puberty. Best of luck Lydia!

Thanks everyone, and thanks for the advice. Today is the big day. Know it's just starting the gender therapy, just talk and not the physical process, but still excited and a touch nervous.

Quote from: Lydia2937 on November 06, 2018, 12:10:26 AM
Thanks everyone, and thanks for the advice. Today is the big day. Know it's just starting the gender therapy, just talk and not the physical process, but still excited and a touch nervous.

Hun there is nothing to be nervous about Ride the High and remember the feeling okay cuz just remembering the fan how you feel now excited and happy that's going to be what keeps you going in when times are tough

Sent from my LG-LS777 using Tapatalk