If you vote, please share your experiences.

Personally, I didn't have much.  I was tortured by one therapist.  I'm glad that didn't last long.

I'd have to say that my total therapy lasted a year.  It was also fairly infrequent.  For my "supportive" therapists, I saw them probably a dozen times in total.

Am I imbalanced as a result?  Most assuredly, yes!

Cindi

I've been going to therapy since Sept. I actually like my therapist quite a bit. She's helped my mom understand and accept my situation better.

My therapist has pointed out some interesting food for thought along the way, mostly about how we all have a public persona in order to fit in and belong.  Transition is about going through a period where you're vulnerable to parts of society.  Some finally escape that phase by developing a new persona in order to 'fit in' and 'belong (passing.)

Karen

Hi Cindi,

I have been to therapy, but not a gender therapist and we really did not go that deep into transsexualism as a result. I have been full time for over 2 years now and I am just kinda adapting on my own.  I feel very happy living my life as a woman and don't really concern myself with what others think. There was not a poll answer for me because I will seek gender therapy when I can afford it, because I need the letters, not because I need help coming out or adapting.

I personally don't have much confidence or faith in therapy as I don't beleive we are mentally defective.

Love always,
Elizabeth

I myself, have not had much therapy.  Probably 6 months total.  There was no option for less than a year that fit, since I'm not just starting out.  The last time I saw a therapist was in June for some letters, but I haven't felt the need to go to one since.  I feel I have adjusted well.  I do know I can always make an appointment if the need arises, but it hasn't.  After I have been fulltime for 6 months, I will probably go back to:
a. Get my surgery letters
b. Check in with the therapist to update him on how well adjusted I am.

Melissa

The only reason I started therapy was because my wife at the time was going nuts with me going out as me on weekends and told me I needed help.  So to keep the peace and possibly save the marriage I agreed but I would only go to a therapist experienced with TG issues.  She seemed a little hesitant but agreed.  I think she wanted someone to cure me.

Several months later I came home and told her I had discussed hormones with my therapist and within a couple of weeks I started.  One of the smartest moves I've ever made.  So I guess my ex was right, I did find the cure.  

Julie

Well I have been seeing my Therapst for 15 months now. I chatter to her again yesterday because of my       the previous night. I am so glad I can speak to her when I need. It is also hard being a CD by the way.

Alice

I have been in therapy for around a year or so. Over all it has been a good experience and I am better off than I was, I feel.
My sessions are fairly infrequent in part because $20.00 is a lot of money to me and therapy is considerably more than that and partially because I do not think there is much else to be done.

One year for me.

I have an insane love/hate relationship with my therapist. One session will be wonderfully helpful and validating, the next will be antagonistic and dismissive.

But in some twisted way, in hindsight, I think I like it that way. She's come close to killing me a few times by not taking my desperation seriously... but overall, I think the ups and downs have taught me more than simply being told "attagirl" each session. And ya know, just as  I've vehemently argued and fought with CERTAIN people on here months ago over certain views... and now find myself preaching those very things myself, lol... she's been right more often than not in the end (at least regarding how my mind works - her practical advice is... questionable).

Of course, I'm probably being forgiving because last night's session was easily the best ever. Which means you can expect NEXT week to be awful, lol...

I DO recommend therapy for those transitioning. It can a a turbulent time... the body is changing and growing in all sorts of new areas, you're trying to get some sort of handle on the flood of emotions unlocked by HRT and self-acceptance, your sexuality may suddenly seem much more complex than you once thought, your marriage is probably up in the air, your job may be as well, you're trying to deal with the funny looks you're getting from becoming increasingly andro/female... I mean WOW. Having an anchor admidst that storm could save your life.

Kate

I don't know if I put my mark in the right spot as my therapy was two fold, but related. I started seeing a therapist(psychologist) for suicidal tendacies. I had just tried and fail for the third time in my life. Now, no one knew about the other two as I didn't take enough pills and ended up with stomach cramps and just feeling very lousey. The last one I took enough to kill me if I hadn't sought help as I guess I didn't want to die. Stomach pump and a short stay in the hospital. My guns taken away from me and was watched like a kid. I had weekly sessions and that was when I told someone about my feelings. As we talked more it came out and I learned that all this yearning to be female was not good for my health. We talked for about 3 years and then she sent me to a gender specialist and I saw her for a while and they both talked and it was confirmed as I knew that was the course for me. I was diagnost as depressed and later with GID. When I took the anti depressant meds. they didn't work for me, but when I started on hormones, what a change for me. I felt happier and not like I was before. So the therapy worked for me as it got me to admit finally that I was female and deep down I knew it all along. I was afraid, cause of the things that happened to me when I was younger.
Sheila

I had therapy for the loss of my family, which was a consequence of what I did.I had 4 sessions with a trained counsellor which helped immensley.

I saw a Gender therapist twice, once to start the process and secondly to get my referal letters for SRS, those two visits where 12 months apart.

I was 110% certain in what I was doing, but I understand that many people will be confused about their feelings, emotions and it is then a key requiremnent to work with a trained therapist, to help one discover their true issues.

Buffy

One thing I forgot to say is that the last time I saw my therapist she said that there was nothing wrong with me now and that I'm just a normal woman. She said that she didn't think that she would have to see me again. I have a good head on my shoulders and that I was just in turmoil.
Sheila

I've been in therapy for mood disorders and an eating disorder for almost 3 years, and have just started seeing a TG specific therapist a few months ago.

When I finally woke up and realized how thoroughly I had denied my self to myself and realized that I was TS, I lost all confidence in my own judgement.  If I could fool myself so completely for so long, was I fooling myself again?  So I found a gender specializing psychologist and began seeing him December 5th, 2005.

I asked him for two things, 1) to confirm my self-diagnosis or provide a differential diagnosis, and 2) to write a letter for HRT if he agreed with me.  It turned out that he did a number of sessions with me alone, with my spouse by herself and then with us together as part of the therapy.

I have a bit of confidence in myself again because he confirmed my self-diagnosis and wrote the HRT letter last August.  He additionally helped my spouse understand what I am going through which has helped her stay with me so far.  He also told me about the support group that I now attend.

hugs & smiles
helen

Im total Ive been seeing a theripist about my gender issue for around a year or so...  First theripist was a moron who I had to teach everything to... he had no experiance what so ever... at 50/session... a session every 2-3 weeks I didnt think that was bad... and I got what I wanted out of him....

(Inscert evil detransition period here and lets NOT talk about it)

Origonal theripist moved his practice and I had to find myself a new one... I just had a total nervous breakdown and was homeless, carless, jobless and worse....  I remembered about a theripist who was recomended to me by a fromer member of the old susans forums... I managed to dig up the scrap of paper I had written her name down on and contacted her less than a week after being released from the epcc...

My current theripist absolutely rocks... I pay twice as much per session but I only really see her every once in a while... basicly when I get overstressed or I need something from her LoL.... With both theripists... I never really needed them to help with my transition... just to give me the physical tools to continue on my own  *shrugs*     Im far from stable, but then again the only truely sane people Ive ever met were locked in padded rooms  

Quote from: Cindianna_Jones on December 14, 2006, 03:14:48 PMIf you vote, please share your experiences. Personally, I didn't have much.  I was tortured by one therapist.  I'm glad that didn't last long.

My first lasted less than 6 months after she turned into a gatekeeper and wouldn't accept some of her own statements. Years later I found a Buddhist life/gender therapist/coach (yes, state licensed too) and have been happy with her for 18+ months now as we discuss the full range of issues of gender and life. And she knows all the other resources from her ~20 years experience  in the community.  We should all be as fortunate.

--Susan--

Hiee,

  I have never had therapy per se. I from the day I realized that I was in fact female, been totally accepting of that for myself. I have been to a several different pychiatrists and have been diagnosed originally as being gender dysphoric and with my current pychiartrist as being GID. Both have found me to have no underlying pychological issues and to be quite stable and rooted in reality. In short I transitioned tween my ears almost immediately and it has since been nothing more then a waiting game of waiting for my body to catch up with me.
Basically I have seen the 'Gate Keepers' solely for the purpose of obtaining letters of recomendations ie Orchiectomy and SRS.

Byee,
  Brina
PS I found your first listed response to be 'Loaded' but I chose it anyway

Quote from: brina on December 15, 2006, 06:56:12 PMPS I found your first listed response to be 'Loaded' but I chose it anyway

Yes, it was loaded.  I will includ an additional response that didn't call them "bloodsuckers". I apologize for my neglect.

There have been times when I have considered some therapists to be bloodsuckers.  I wondered what in the world they were doing in the profession. There are others, due to the nature of their well mannered patients who also serve as gatekeepers.  But I suppose it takes all kinds to make the world spin.

Cindi

Hiee cindi,

  No need to apologize. As most I think have an attitude of I hold the keys so you will obey. I am lucky in that my current shrink is pretty kewl and follows the protocol of the Sherbourne Clinic in Toronto Ontario. It is nice to know that should something come up that I simply can't deal with that there is someone that I can run to for help .

Byee,
  Brina

I started seeing a gender therapist in April 2006.  I did an internet search and then ask for recomendations on Susan's Place.  After I saw her for several sessions, she asked that I bring my spouse to our next session.  That session went extremely well from everyones point of view

After reading the problems that several of you have had with therapists, I realize just how fortunate that I am.  

Laura