UK Therapy

[elleane]

Hiya!

Woot! I finally found the forums -  it's my first post here (as you can probably tell!) - thanks to all those in the chat room who have been so welcoming.

I have a quick question - simple really - can anyone recommend any UK-based therapists?  I don't want to see a consultant or psychiatrist at this point although I did have a previous appointment with Russell Reid several years ago.
I have looked for contacts/lists on the WWW and found precious few listed.

I realise therapy is a v. personal thing - and the right therapist for one person may not suit another.  However I'm pretty much
totally in the dark on this - and would appreciate any and all advice.
I've come to the realisation that I really need to find a good therapist to discuss issues of gender identity - something which has me very confused atm. 
I really need to sort out, in my mind, what or who I am in the hope that this will help me make clearer choices, decisions about
what steps to take.

Thanks

elleane

oh yes PS: I'm in the west country (nr Bristol) - and while I'm not holding out much hope for a local therapist it would certainly be a big plus if one existed!

[Cassandra]

First Elleane,
Let me say welcome, it's great to have you here. Can't make rec's on physcians but the Wiki is full of information and Susans's web links will probably have some of the information you are looking for. Try them first. In the mean time fix yourself a cup of tea, or other relaxing beverage, Take your shoes off and set a spell.

Good Journey,

Cassie

[elleane]

Thanks Cassandra,

I have looked on the WWW and via the Wiki/Susans. to try and find UK information and have come up with 3 or 4 which are familiar to me from when I first looked for one a few years ago.  None of which I felt were right for me.

I guess perhaps a  therapist is not the right person to go to.
It's just that I've had v. bad experiences with psychiatrists in the past (and therapists for that matter) - so I really want to find someone who is right.

Are there any ports of call that I might be missing which perhaps are not advertised on the WWW - I know my GP is next to useless
with regards to these issues.   

Apologies if I overstepped the mark with regards to asking for recommendations.
thanks

elleane

[Cassandra]

You haven't overstepped any marks Elleane. We're all about helping TG folk here. There is very little tabboo as long as it's PG. I know that sounds contradictory but as you hang out at Susan's you'll get the idea.

Therapists are a kind of crap shoot if you can't find a therapist who specializes in TG issues. A lot of folks have reported having to train their therapists. If you can find a TG specialist, great, otherwise as long as they are understanding, or try to be, then you can steer them to the right resources were they will become a better therapist.

Cassie