I was looking through the newest WPATH standards of care and saw this:

There is no required minimum number of psychotherapy sessions prior to hormone therapy, the real-life experience, or surgery, for three reasons: 1)  patients differ widely in their abilities to attain similar goals in a specified time; 2) a minimum number of sessions tends to be construed as a hurdle, which discourages the genuine opportunity for personal growth; 3) the mental health professional can be an important support to the patient throughout all phases of gender transition.

So, does this mean I don't need 3 months (or 12 sessions) of therapy to go on T?  The endo I will see requires a therapist letter though...  Hmm...

Further down though it says this under eligibility criteria:

3. Either: a. A documented real-life experience of at least three months prior to the administration of hormones; or b. A period of psychotherapy of a duration specified by the mental health professional after the initial evaluation (usually a minimum of three months).

I think you still need to look into your state law... Even if there are standards like that, not all endos will follow it. I'd suggest getting the therapy anyway. it's a good way to make sure you can cope with the stress of everything. Everyone needs  alittle support.

One thing that I found helpful by having therapists and doctors who followed the standards of care (not rigidly, fwiw), was that family and friends were reassured that a) there were standards; b) I couldn't just do this on my own without gate keepers; c) that my care was being supervised in some capacity.

I personally had hoped I was NOT trans and that I wouldn't have to transition, because transition and coming out and going public with my private business was something I would have rather NOT DONE if it weren't necessary.  Unfortunately it was.  So it was helpful to me to have second and third opinions on the matter.

Your mileage may vary; lots here have had surgery and gone on HRT without therapists or letters.  I found therapy helpful.


Jay

Quote from: jmaxley on July 29, 2010, 09:22:12 PM
I was looking through the newest WPATH standards of care and saw this:

There is no required minimum number of psychotherapy sessions prior to hormone therapy, the real-life experience, or surgery, for three reasons: 1)  patients differ widely in their abilities to attain similar goals in a specified time; 2) a minimum number of sessions tends to be construed as a hurdle, which discourages the genuine opportunity for personal growth; 3) the mental health professional can be an important support to the patient throughout all phases of gender transition.

So, does this mean I don't need 3 months (or 12 sessions) of therapy to go on T?  The endo I will see requires a therapist letter though...  Hmm...

Further down though it says this under eligibility criteria:

3. Either: a. A documented real-life experience of at least three months prior to the administration of hormones; or b. A period of psychotherapy of a duration specified by the mental health professional after the initial evaluation (usually a minimum of three months).

In my experience, the only ones who typically get a letter without waiting three months are teenagers who show up with their parents to vouch for them about their persistent feelings over several years.  Everyone else has always had to wait three months, because they have no way to document it.  Maybe if you had already changed your name and produced that document dated more than three months ago, that might make a difference.  But even that document would not establish a persistent desire to transition, and that is what they are looking for.  No wishy washy flip flopping.

 I and a number of others got their letter on the first or second visit.

I got mine on the 4th visit, not sure about other states, but in FL there is no law saying how long you need therapy for or that you need therapy at all.  Most endos however will not see you without a letter.  Here 3 months is the "standard" of care, not the law but i was told every patient is different, it just depends on when your therapist thinks you are ready.  I actually kinda miss seeing my therapist now, she was really good to talk to

I do plan on continuing therapy but it'd be great to be able to go ahead and get on T (especially after wasting months with an incompetent therapist who told me I wasn't trans because I had worn women's clothes before ).

My new therapist would probably write the letter.  I've had one session with her and she said a few times she thought the best thing I could do would be to go on testosterone as soon as possible.

I think I'll call my endo and see if he requires a certain amount of therapy beforehand.

Personally what was best for me was going for informed consent. He still required a letter saying I'd seen a shrink in the past or present for any issue, not necessarily trans issues. Waiting would've done more damage than good. Therapy is usually good to make sure it's what you want but I'd been sure for awhile, just couldn't find a shrink willing to write the letter.

It just depends on the therapist. The therapist, after all, is the one who gives you permission. Mine is requiring the 12 sessions even if they serve no purpose at this point because she wants to do it the "right way."

Quote from: Silver on July 30, 2010, 02:44:51 PM
It just depends on the therapist. The therapist, after all, is the one who gives you permission. Mine is requiring the 12 sessions even if they serve no purpose at this point because she wants to do it the "right way."

Well, that and the endo.

They want to make sure that they don't set themselves up to get sued.  Insurance companies have a lot to do with such decisions behind the scenes.