If you wanted to talk with someone to help figure out gender issues which would you look for?  Are their advantages of one over the other?

psychiatrist, psychologist, therapist, counselor , bartender, hair dresser...

in a nutshell:
(best) psychiatrist, psychologist, therapist, counselor (worst)

less short version:
psychiatrist: can rx meds, usually psych meds though from scope of practice, can diagnosis other issues, can make hrt and surgery letters

psychologist: no meds here, can make hrt and surgery letters, can diagnosis other issues

therapist: no meds, can make hrt and usually surgery letters depending on credentials and surgeon requirements, not suppose to diagnosis, but may do so

counselor: therapy only, might make a hrt letter, can't make a surgery letter, can't diagnosis

hope that helped

edit: in a way the best one is one you feel free to open up and talk to freely, the letters can be obtained when its time
(but for letters, they need to be licensed to practice therapy for best results in shortest time, assuming they know their practice well, and what you tell them is truthful)

I go to a psychologist and a hairdresser.  They give me a lot, each in her own way.  My MD prescribes my meds.

As Flan said, you need to find someone you are comfortable with so you can open up.  Your friend may help, but a professional will probably be a better choice for the tough stuff.  My hairdresser has been wonderful, but she can't figure out her own problems and is really just helpful as a friend and for girl advice.

- Kate

I wouldn't go to see any of those if they didn't have some specialization.  It's your money so you should expect to get something out of it (other than "go somewhere else").

Some councilors are inexpensive (especially if you don't have insurance).  They can usually talk alot.  For me this was only a point of agitation.  I felt like I was explaining my sanity to someone who had the all the philosophical agility of what is a hash pipe.

I go to a counsellor and they are brilliant. But things are a little different in my country in regard to referels and meds and things. This particular one has a lot of experience with trans people of all stripes.

Because it is a long term thing, how past life is affecting your present, that is a therapists specialty. They will help you learn a lot about yourself by using clues from your past and how they affect you now.

I tend to think psychiatrist and psychologists are great if you want a clinical view and maybe tend to medicalise your 'condition'. But as others have said, I think the person is probably more important than the actually profession. They are all mental health/wellbeing experts in their own way and for some their training may intrude on the human. I think it is the human you want.

I think mine is a therapist, but could be wrong. I wanted someone who specialized in trans stuff and he does, and happens to be trans. I couldn't be happier.
I think n the end you need someone who you can trust and has your best interest in mind. Mine also happened to be one of the 10ish who could write a letter to have my gender changed on my DL, through the courts (if I wanted) and wrote my surgery letter.
Good luck
Andrew/Myles

I think Myles and I have seen the same therapist.  Reid is a therapist and is FtM.  He is awesome.  I chose him because he is listed specifically as a gender therapist.

He has been great with letters and recommendations.  My PhD. took my word for HRT after seeing my carry letter.  Reid also wrote my recommendation letter for my Orchie, and most likely give me one for SRS.

Who ever you choose they need to be well versed into Transsexual issues, period.



Janet