Hi, I am new to this site and was wondering if there was anybody on the forums in the Liverpool area?

I have recently accepted that I am transgendered and I am trying to find help with talking about my issues with a professional to make a diagnosis so that I can be comfortable in starting the process of transitioning.

I am 20 years old and currently living in a male body.  There are issues I would like to talk about with maybe a professional psychologist/counsellor who deals in this area, as I have found that there are not many out there, and I don't really know anybody else who is TG in my area to get advice from.

I went to my GP who suggested I go to my nearest Abacus clinic (which is basically where you go to get STI testings) and they can refer me.  So I did, the doctor was completely unaware of the whole issue and had no idea of what to say/do and told me she would send me a referral for a psychosexual counsellor in the post (this was last week, and still not heard back).

Is it even a psychosexual counsellor that I need to see? Do they know anything about these kind of issues?

I would be grateful of any contact links that anybody knows of to help get me on the road to becoming "the real me" that lives in the Liverpool area, as nobody seems to be able to point me in the right place!

Also, I have discovered that the professional who used to deal mainly with transgendered people in the UK has retried now and isn't taking on any new referrals!

Any info would be useful!

Thanks 

Hi Jennifer, strange coincidence that I'm also 20 and in Liverpool. Except I'm going in the opposite direction of F to M.

I went private to get testosterone so I can't really tell you much about counsellors in the area since I didn't see any. From what I understand about the NHS your GP should refer you to a local psych who would then refer you to a gender specialist and this would take several months.

If you wanted to go private then there is Dr Curtis in London, as well as being able to diagnose your gender dysphoria he would also be able to point you in the direction of a psych in the Northwest area.

Also I discovered this support group a few days ago http://www.spirit-level.org.uk/ I haven't been yet but I assume there would be quite a few people who would be able to point you in the right direction.

Now that is a coincidence!

Thanks for replying, I have also been told about the Spirit Level Group - but as I don't know anybody with these issues, I have felt a bit uneasy about going there on my own for the first time as I have no idea of what to expect.  Are you planning on going to one of their meetings?

I have heard of Dr Curtis but I really just wanted to find a professional to talk all of this through with first before making any major decisions, just to basically confirm that this is the right path for me if you know what I mean.

Did you see Dr Curtis? What happened there and how long did you have to wait for an appointment?

I think their next meeting is on the 21st so I was thinking of going to that. I'm also nervous about going. Most likely everyone else felt the same way when they first attended though so they will know that the newbies will just want a friendly welcome.

I'm sure there would be others there who were in the same situation as you and they will know of someone locally who you can talk to.

I go to Dr Curtis, it's probably best to wait until you know if you want hormones/surgery before you see him though since it's pretty expensive. The first appointment with him is 1 hour so you have to wait approx. 2 weeks for that. Appointments after that are 30mins so you only wait about a week for them.

Yeah I think it's the 21st...maybe we could go together so at least we know we aren't the only newbies! 

I didn't realise you only had to wait about 2 weeks for an appointment with Dr Curtis, I will probably eventually make an appointment with him sooner or later.  Like I said though I do want to talk to a professional who can help me sort through my issues before I do start hormones etc, even though I really do want to start them asap!

Yeah cool  . I have this fear of walking into a busy room on my own lol .

Dr Curtis' clinic also offers counselling. It's expensive but they would be total pro's with trans issues http://www.transhealth.co.uk/counselling_and_psychotherapy.php

Yeah just been looking at that myself...the only problem being as it's in London which is quite a way to travel from here, and it's getting the money and the time off work and stuff.  I wonder if I could make an appointment with Dr Curtis and a counsellor there on the same day so I wouldn't have to make 2 journeys...

Don't worry, I also have that fear! 
Do you have MSN or anything? Could talk more there if you wanted?

Quote from: jennifer90 on June 13, 2010, 05:35:16 PM
Yeah just been looking at that myself...the only problem being as it's in London which is quite a way to travel from here, and it's getting the money and the time off work and stuff.  I wonder if I could make an appointment with Dr Curtis and a counsellor there on the same day so I wouldn't have to make 2 journeys...

Don't worry, I also have that fear! 
Do you have MSN or anything? Could talk more there if you wanted?

Hi Jenifer,

Welcome to Susans ! 

Firstly, the referral to a counsellor or physiologist is currently the correct first step for NHS treatment. If your session goes OK, then they will refer you on to gender specialist or clinic. The process of evaluation and health check will usually mean you can get hormones after between 6 to 12 months.

Going private can help with the speed of treatment, but will cost a significant amount of money over the first year (at least £800). If you are hoping to get HRT from Richard Curtis on the first meeting, think again and save your money. His clinic follows SOC guidelines for a 3 month assessment before HRT, so you would be much better off seeing Sharon Fillingham for a first meeting. She comes highly recommended in the community, and her opinion is valued by Richard giving you the best chance of your first assessment with him being a successful one. (Counselling costs £60hr as opposed to £220hr for Richard)

Good Luck



Chrissty

Now I have no idea what to do ha ha! It seems to be taking forever for the doctors I have been to to even find out where to refer me to..I'm thinking of just buying the hormones mysef to start with!

One person tells me one thing then the next tells me another 

Basically jennifer, Greg is telling you the route he went.

Chrissty is explaining the NHS route and a slightly easier/cheaper way to follow Greg's path.

If you want to deal with this through the NHS then you are going to have to go back to your GP. You've been give nte run around by him and the STD clinic.

But I do suggest you have a face to face chat with the support group and get your ideas straight in your mind. At your stage, following a lot of written advice from different people is going to get on your nerves.

However, it will be really good if you can keep us all posted here.

Quote from: jennifer90 on June 14, 2010, 04:16:05 PM
Now I have no idea what to do ha ha! It seems to be taking forever for the doctors I have been to to even find out where to refer me to..I'm thinking of just buying the hormones mysef to start with!

One person tells me one thing then the next tells me another 

Sorry if I confused you Jenifer...

...as Spacial says, I agree with Greg but was only trying to let you know the true cost/timescales of your options, and suggesting that you may find it cheaper to see Sharon at Transhealth first due to your desire to initially "sort things out".

If you feel able, then going to "Spirit Level" may help, but going to a gender counsellor such as Sharon could make a real difference, even if you only see her once. You just phone her direct on the following link and she will personally call you back to talk and make an appointment within a couple of weeks...

http://www.transhealth.co.uk/counselling_and_psychotherapy.php

For Dr Curtis to consider offering HRT on the first meeting, you would need to attend in role, and show a clear history of RLE or Phsyc evaluation to address the 3 month SOC requirement. If you turn up presenting male and questioning he will usually refer you to Sharon anyway.

Here is a link to some NHS booklets that may held you talk to your GP:-

http://www.gires.org.uk/dohpublications.php

...and don't forget there is a UK telephone advice service....

http://www.gendertrust.org.uk/n2/p01.php?id=2

Good Luck 



Chrissty

Hi Jennifer,
I was born in Liverpool and grew up there etc. I know there are a few Liverpudlians at Susan's I was in contact with a girl last year but I've lost her information. Contact groups are usually very helpful. Be great if you and Greg can go together, instant friendship and support, that will boost both of your confidences.
Call the contact group secretary or email her and say you are newbies coming along. I'm sure you will get a heap of support and help. That's why the clubs exist.

Anyhow I now live in Australia so not much help with the Liverpool scene. I lived close to Knotty Ash. Fascinating name  .

Take care my new sister and brother

Cindy

Thank you for all your replies..

I really do want to talk to a gender specialist first before making any major decisions, and I appreciate that Sharon does seem like somebody who would be ideal to help with that, the only problem is London is so far away from Liverpool! It would mean about £60 on train fares just for a 1 hour consultation, on top of the £60 charge for seeing her!

Does anybody know of anyone closer to home that is specialised in this? Someone a bit more local? 

Quote from: jennifer90 on June 15, 2010, 12:21:27 PM
Thank you for all your replies..

I really do want to talk to a gender specialist first before making any major decisions, and I appreciate that Sharon does seem like somebody who would be ideal to help with that, the only problem is London is so far away from Liverpool! It would mean about £60 on train fares just for a 1 hour consultation, on top of the £60 charge for seeing her!

Does anybody know of anyone closer to home that is specialised in this? Someone a bit more local? 

Hi Jenifer,

OK ...maybe have a look here..

http://www.transgenderzone.com/practitionerguide/northwest.htm

..but shop around as prices can vary dramatically and £60 + £60 can begin to sound cheap.

..and you may also want to try clicking the Midlands and North East tabs for more choice.



Chrissty