At long last I've reached another milestone. My therapist is ready to write my first letter recommending SRS. Yay! It's taken just over two years to get to this point. To most this may initially seem absurd and controlling on the part of my therapist for taking such a long time. The fact is though, I was willing to allow for the time to be taken. There have been many issues that were necessary for my wife and I to work through together in order for us to remain as a team; a partnership, and a marriage. Thankfully, we've reached this goal and now it's time for another to be formed; my SRS.

What is kind of surprising is the idea that my therapist wishes for me to draft the letter and present it to her. At which time we will review it and massage it to her and my liking. Or just accept it the way I write it if the letter is sufficient in her estimation. Maybe it's just me, but, I am intrigued and eager at the chance to write this. Again, to me it seems that she is placing me more in the control position to decide my own destiny. I like that!

Questions: Has anyone else here had this opportunity? If so can you provide any particulars as to how the letter should be formatted and professional language to be included in it?

All opinions on this are appreciated!


Dawn 

My letters were written by two therapists documenting my history, real life experience, and state of my gender identity disorder. In my case, the letters were actually sent to each therapist and my physician for consistency purposes. There is a prescribed language and content that has to be in the letters or they can be rejected. Having you write it seems totally inappropriate.

Maggie

Both my letters were written like Maggie's.  A brief history, and a recommendation.  I am sure that between the two of you, that an appropriate letter can be written.

I am glad for you.  Soon you will be on your way.

WPATH has a free download of the SOC and on Pages 6-7 the exact contents of the recommendation letters is laid out.
Here is the link to the document.
http://www.wpath.org/documents2/socv6.pdf

Best of luck and Congratulations at reaching this milestone!

Maggie

My letters were written entirely outside my purvue and sent directly to the surgeon.

When I asked about it, I was told that it was their policy.  In this way they can speak in confidence to the surgeon.  Though as part of US HIPPA regulations these documents can be viewed by the patient at any time, once they become part of the patients records.

Though, when I was needing a carry letter, my first therapist worked with me to write it.  So I guess it's just a matter of personal preference.

-Sandy

my first letter was split up into a bunch of parts over 4 pages

reason for referral (my regular therapist wanted me tested for comorbid issues)
family and social history
clinical and mental health history
clinical observations
strengths (a soc thing?)
psychological testing
diagnostic impressions
recommendations (note: brassard and mcginn want language explicitly stating for surgery to be recommended or (they) will reject the letter)

good luck

I was just discussing this with my therapist on Tuesday and she said that she'd like me to draft my own, as well and that she would make her own edits and corrections.  In a way, I think it's like a teacher having a student write an autobiographical essay.  It's going to say a lot about how you see yourself. 

I think I'm going to use the SOC, McGinn's criteria, and the blue cross/anthem surgical guideline as a framework and go from there.