I was looking over the WPATH requirements for surgery and it says that you need two letters. Does this mean that I need to see two separate therapists? Or does a therapist have another one look over my case and write a letter?

It's generally accepted as 2 separate therapists although the second letter is mostly to back up the first one assessment wise.

Quote from: Flan on May 03, 2012, 05:41:19 AM
It's generally accepted as 2 separate therapists although the second letter is mostly to back up the first one assessment wise.

When you go to the second, do you pretty much start from the beginning? Or is it a situation where they just review your case?

Quote from: michelle666 on May 03, 2012, 05:53:26 AM
When you go to the second, do you pretty much start from the beginning? Or is it a situation where they just review your case?

yeah, they go over the case, at least the 2nd therapist did for me (and another person I know).

My second therapist called my first one and discussed my case.  She even told me that she had my letter written already when I went for my one and only appointment with her.  A half hour conversation and I had my second letter.

Thanks, that clears that up for me. I thought it was going to be another year with a new therapist.

I was reading the requirements on Dr McGinn's site. and this is what it said:

More commonly, however, letters of recommendation are from mental health professionals who work alone without colleagues experienced with gender identity disorders. Because professionals working independantly may not have the benefit of ongoing professional consulation on gender cases, two letters of recommendation are required prior to initiating genital surgery. If the first letter is from a person with a master's degree, the second letter should be from a psychiatrist or a Ph.D. clinical psychologist, who can be expected to adequately evaluate co-morbid psychiatric conditions. If the first letter is from the patient's psychotherapist, the second letter should be from a person who has only played an evaluative role for the patient. Each letter, however, is expected to cover the same topics. At least one of the letters should be an extensive report. The second letter writer, having read the first letter, may choose to offer a briefer summary and an agreement with the recommendation.

Does she want us to go to someone not experienced with GID? This confuses me a little.

I read that to say that she is acknowledging that in the US we don't really have a lot of gender clinics with multiple therapists/psychologists specialized in gender issues.  Because of that it is ok to get two separate professionals.

Quote from: Jeneva on May 04, 2012, 07:21:17 AM
I read that to say that she is acknowledging that in the US we don't really have a lot of gender clinics with multiple therapists/psychologists specialized in gender issues.  Because of that it is ok to get two separate professionals.

Thanks. I wasn't sure if that's what she meant. Luckily I'm going to be going to a really good gender clinic.