Hi there, I had a top surgery consult today with Dr. Paul Weiss in New York City.  Everything went fine except he just needs a letter from a gender therapist saying that I'm good to go.  I didn't need a letter to get my script for Testosterone.  My HRT DR. did not require it.  But this surgeon requires a letter from a gender therapist.  I was just wondering if anybody out there knows of one in my area.  Either one in Nassau County Long Island New York, Queens, New York or New York, New York.  Does it actually have to come from a gender therapist because I see a regular therapist and I was wondering if he could write it.I have no idea.  I think I'm going to call the surgeon up tomorow and ask him if it has to be from a gender therapist or what.  I believe he said "a gender therapist"  Oh, and BTW, if anybody has medicare insurance, he takes it for the top surgery. I'd appciatte if if anybody could get back to me.  Thanks so much.
Ryan

Try checking with Callen Lorde. I don't know what they can do, but they should be able to help you with that letter. You could ask your current therapist first.

If your current therapist is knowledgeable about trans issues, I'm sure he could write it. After all, he knows you better than a new therapist would and would likely be the most appropriate person to write the letter. Also, as someone training to be a therapist... there is no designation within the mental health field for "gender" therapists. There are therapists more familiar with lgbt and trans-specific issues than others and they usually make that known, but you are unlikely to find someone who uses that specific designation. 

And you're sure it's Medicare that will cover the surgery and not Medicaid? Medicare is very uncommon for people under 65 to have, though there are certain criteria that can make someone eligible for it earlier. That's very interesting if Medicare is covering it though... never heard of that before.