hello, i'm sort of new here i've been around for awhile and just joined the other night and haven't introduced myself yet but i was wondering if there are any questions besides the basic that i should ask when i call to make an appoint with a therapist. i have been putting this off for awhile now and feel that it is about time i did something about it. and when i have a little extra time i'll introduce my self some more
in the intro forum.     

thanks in advance for any advice

ask if they have experience with transsexual patients. if so, ask for a general timeline for hormone and surgery letters. they will tell you it depends, but try for an estimate time. three months? 6 months? a year? it can give you an idea if you're wasting your time.

Hi Tammy,

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You want make sure that they are a Gender therapist, and the amount of time they have practiced.

Janet

Just be honest. I mean totally honest. A therapist cannot help you if you hold back.

Welcome-
Also depending on the state you are in you will want to make sure they have the authority (for lack of a better word) to issue all letter you may need for your transition, DMV (for gender change), HRT and so on.
Myles

thanks everyone,

nero,
the place has been around for about 30 years working with lgbt community, as much as i would love to start hormones right away i don't mind waiting a little  while, but i do understand the  est. time line.

someone did give me the number to call 2 yrs ago, but i was almost being forced to go and didn't feel ready to go at the time. plus had a few other things to take care of.

lori,
i plan on being honest, as that is what i've gathered from roaming around.

myles,
i think they may but i'll check to make sure when i call.

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Post Merge: July 09, 2009, 01:44:55 PM

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for the record if it will help any i am in southwest pa

Quote from: Nero on July 07, 2009, 06:50:05 PM
ask if they have experience with transsexual patients. if so, ask for a general timeline for hormone and surgery letters. they will tell you it depends, but try for an estimate time. three months? 6 months? a year? it can give you an idea if you're wasting your time.

I have to disagree Nero.  You don't seek therapy to get hormones, surgery letters and a time line.  You seek therapy to see if you in fact need hormones, surgery letters and a time line would generally follow after a decision was made.

People who seek therapy simply to get HRT may indeed be wasting their time and the time of the therapist.  I don't think therapists in general start seeing patients with pre-set notions of treatments.

-={LR}=-

Quote from: Ladyrider on July 09, 2009, 02:02:40 PM
I have to disagree Nero.  You don't seek therapy to get hormones, surgery letters and a time line.  You seek therapy to see if you in fact need hormones, surgery letters and a time line would generally follow after a decision was made.

People who seek therapy simply to get HRT may indeed be wasting their time and the time of the therapist.  I don't think therapists in general start seeing patients with pre-set notions of treatments.

-={LR}=-

I actually went out of my way to find therapist that did not deal with GID/Trans issues. She has dealt with some LGB people before.

Surprise...she said I should transition after the second meeting. I think a good therapist can recognize and help you deal with any issues. She knows hiding who you are is going to be self destructive and holding things in is certainly bad. I think the key is to find somebody that you are comfortable with that can understand you. That is the hard thing. Very few people understand transsexuals and In just two meetings, this woman had me pegged. I love her and for $120.00 an hr.  she is worth every penny so far.

thanks for the help everyone, i'm going to try to make the call today, and later i'll try to post an introduction later.