Well yeah I had my first therapy session today... and I pretty much talked about everything is that good? I feel that it was... I filled out a lil form of how I feel on a daily basis and everything... wasn't that bad felt pretty good actually ... starting to feel a little better now, was this everyone's reaction to their first therapy session?

My therapist is great and I always feel much better after I have a session with her. My first visit was somewhat informal but here methods are working for me and she is ready to write my HRT letter.

Randi

I was really scared on my first session but it ended up going well and made me happy

Yeah, I think a lot of us do that the first couple (I'm waiting for #3) of sessions. It helps to make a list of questions you have each time, and also to ask what the Therapist's plan is and expectations of you each session. Although the "Letter" is the goal, since you are paying, what else can they do to help you in your transition.

SJ

I had my first session a couple of weeks ago.  I had to fill out a gender history prior to the session.  The therapy itself opened the emotional floodgates and I cried for the next 2 days.  But it really helped me sort through some important things and I'm looking forward to my next session next week.

The therapist didn't ask for it but, like you, I keep a diary of emotions, issues, and questions to give to the therapist.  I don't want to forget to bring up anything important that came up between sessions.

Good luck with your therapy.

Julie

Here;s a box of "Puffs" Julies Something I also did after my second session was to draft my "Transition Plan" and send it to my Therapist. I did at first out of frustration with my Therapist during the second session, where she was asking me the same questions 2 -3 times. Hey, I speak clearly, what part of clearly don't you understand? No, I didn't say that...

Also, do some of your own "Therapy", by that seek out what you need outside of the session. Example in my case I discovered Dr. Anne Vitale's website, she is a TG Psychologist-Therapist specializing in...what else...us! I am currently reading here latest  book, THe Gendered Self, Further commentary on the Transsexual phenomenon, and http://www.avitale.com/. Please take a look at website and the PP presentation on the book.

Please Post Responsibly

Seems we all had a nice experience with the therapist thats great, makes me feel hopeful about the future 

I've had like 5 sessions and she still doesn't know.

Know what Trista?

That I'm trans.

Trista have you ever just told her? I mean I kinda did that, I didnt say it straight up but I did kinda lead up to it... is that bad? Im not sure if thats a bad thing.... o.o.....

Okay. And how much per session are you forking out? Or, sincerely, what kinda of therapy or therapist are you seeing? Something doesn't sound right here.

I'm a very "to myself" kind of person, so I've really just been stalling using my other problems. I feel traumatized when I tell her something too personal.

And she's some regular therapist and I have no idea what she knows about trans issues, but it's starting somewhere. Insurance pays most of it.

Quote from: ~RoadToTrista~ on September 14, 2011, 09:58:10 PM
I'm a very "to myself" kind of person, so I've really just been stalling using my other problems. I feel traumatized when I tell her something too personal.

And she's some regular therapist and I have no idea what she knows about trans issues, but it's starting somewhere. Insurance pays most of it.

I spent 3 years in therapy before I told him that I was trans... wasn't the most useful plan in the world. Can't get help until you speak up.

But I know how scary it can be to tell anyone. You'll do it when you are ready. Please don't wait as long as I did though...

Did it work out with your therapist Sarah?

Quote from: ~RoadToTrista~ on September 14, 2011, 09:58:10 PM
I'm a very "to myself" kind of person, so I've really just been stalling using my other problems. I feel traumatized when I tell her something too personal.

And she's some regular therapist and I have no idea what she knows about trans issues, but it's starting somewhere. Insurance pays most of it.

I was completely the same way. I didn't like sharing anything about myself with anyone, I just would always keep to myself. I knew I had to transition though, so I wrote my therapist a letter and gave it to her sealed for her to open after I left.

I had a great surprise though, it turns out my therapist is good friends with an FTM so she was well on board with my transition.

I found a Therapist that specializes in Gender Issues thru Dr Becky's list. I was apprehensive,  would they be positive or negative? Positive. The harder part was telling my Psychiatrist (med mgmnt for depression, mood). I never told any of the 6 previous ones I was Trans, told current one, he wrote nothing down but wouldn't shake my hand
Like Sarah7 sex, ya gotta speak up. Checkout Lynn Conway's site, she's got some advice in these matters. Do find one with Gender exp., even if you have to pay more, that's what I did.

I'm surprised - yet I guess I should not be, reading about all this shy 'girlish' reluctance to speak up.

Maybe it's just my age and previous, years back, therapy experience? - though NEVER done any gender talk then. What did I know? What did they know? Hardly gay or lesbian!! Eh.

Was called a homosexual in the closet during some 'negative feedback sessions' with LGAT and only could laugh at that, never related at all to that :-)

It's so stereotyped that we MtFs are ever so often seen as homosexuals in the closet - like 'reluctant Queens' in the cupboard, eh.

In any case with my first gate keeper (gay male, psychiatrist) I was DUMPING trans for 1 hour --- hell, he cost plenty money, so? And guess what? He didn't faint or even flinch.

He turned out not the right choice for me though, so I went eventually to another therapist (psychologist, female).

I had such a good time with her. 4x 1 hour sessions and she gave me my SRS letter. Thank YOU!
She did things that was what I'd call therapy, the gatekeeper (psychiatrist) was just ticking boxes - not helpful for me at all.

My advice: - "Damn the torpedoes!" - "Augen zu und durch!" - (Close eyes and through you go!)

We need to learn to "hang out of the bus" sometime, else we NEVER have the guts for RLE.

Just my 2 cents,
Axelle

Quote from: Axélle on September 15, 2011, 12:15:41 AM

My advice: - "Damn the torpedoes!" - "Augen zu und durch!" - (Close eyes and through you go!)

We need to learn to "hang out of the bus" sometime, else we NEVER have the guts for RLE.

Just my 2 cents,
Axelle

She's got a good point there, and I can side with Sarah7, I stayed scared and almost did the same. As I mentioned earlier concerning Lynn Conway, she makes the same point as Axelle, do checkout what she has to say.

Quote from: Lily on September 14, 2011, 10:29:40 PM
I was completely the same way. I didn't like sharing anything about myself with anyone, I just would always keep to myself. I knew I had to transition though, so I wrote my therapist a letter and gave it to her sealed for her to open after I left.

Thanks Lily, I'll try that today.