I'm going to therapy in a couple of days. My parents only know I'm going in for depression but there's obviously far more to it. With that said I'm only going to a therapist and not a gender therapist. My question, is there a big difference to this? And will I eventually be referred to a gender therapist? Or will I eventually need to see a gender therapist instead? Overall, can a therapist prescribe t? Thanks guys. Hope this is all clear!

I been doing a lot of thinking and soul searching and I want nothing more than to go forward this. Here's to a new year.

Quote from: frann on January 05, 2012, 09:01:17 PM
With that said I'm only going to a therapist and not a gender therapist. My question, is there a big difference to this?

It depends on if the therapist has experience.  The only difference between a therapist and gender therapist is a gender therapist generally specializes in gender issues.  Therapists can have experience with gender issues.

Quote from: frann on January 05, 2012, 09:01:17 PM
And will I eventually be referred to a gender therapist? Or will I eventually need to see a gender therapist instead?

It depends on your doctor.  Some doctors will give you T based on informed consent.  If you feel don't have any gender issues you need to/want to work through before T you can call around to see if any doctors around you will do informed consent.

Quote from: frann on January 05, 2012, 09:01:17 PM
Overall, can a therapist prescribe t?

No.  I believe they don't have the option to prescribe anything actually, though I think psychiatrists can prescribe some meds but def not T.

A therapist can't prescribe anything, only a psychiatrist can. But not even a psychiatrist should prescribe you T, an endocrinologist should. Psychiatrists often don't and don't have to know a single thing about endocrinology, unlike endocrinologists. Either an endocrinologist or some equivalent experienced health care provider should prescribe you T.

Cool thanks for the responses and clearing that up. No I'm not underage.

Your therapist can prescribe T if he or she is a MD, DO, NP, psychiatric nurse, PA, or anybody else who has prescribing privileges. Until recently, all of my talk therapy came from physicians at a teaching hospital. Not everybody sees regular psychologists or social workers or whatever.

However, I'd feel pretty uncomfortable about getting T from anybody but a general practitioner or internist or whatever. Endocrinologists are not easy to come by, so I'm not a fan of directing people to them. Something so basic and long-term shouldn't require a specialist.

I got all of my gender therapy (and letter) from a regular therapist, but she was somewhat involved with the queer community, which helped. I wish I had access to an actual gender therapist. I come here so much partly because my therapists just don't get gender issues so I tend not to talk about them.

Yeah, gender therapist is your best bet, if you can find one. I just got a reg psychiatrist, was there 30 min. We talked, he confirmed I knew what I would be doing and such....and that was it. half hour. Not very helpful. Just told  me to schedule another appointment if I thought I needed one :/   I wish we had gender therapists here. I'm hoping his confirmation will be enough, since he said that it wouldn't matter to give me a letter, since the decision is up to me....... wow...?