Is Your Therapist Qualified?

[Charlize]

While the topic of this topic is about qualifications to be a therapist,  the question of how much therapy may be necessary is as based on the individual getting therapy as the therapist.  Despite the fact that informed consent is usually enough to start HRT at this point, therapy can be very helpful.  I was fortunate to have a very experienced therapist who not only helped me accept myself and navigate family issues but also knew all the assets that were available in our vicinity.  We do have a list of resources on this site but a local "expert" is a true asset!

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[Erikka]

I was lucky. The therapist I was seeing for service connected PTSD caused by MST was also trained for gender therapy as part of her training for treating MST. Without my therapist I would be stuck back where I was ten years ago....thinking, wishing and hoping but too scared to admit being transgender. Transitioning is a huge step and without the guidance of a therapist, the prospects for success are diminished.

[Susan R]

43 minutes ago, Suzanne1 said:

What is MST?

Military Sexual Trauma (MST)

[lauraincolumbia]

How do you know?  They have so many titles?  Without wasting a ton of time and money,  how do you know who you should see?

[Carolyn Marie]

58 minutes ago, lauraincolumbia said:

How do you know?  They have so many titles?  Without wasting a ton of time and money,  how do you know who you should see?

 

You ask questions, Laura.  Like the ones in the first post on this thread.  There are no guarantees, however.

 

Carolyn Marie

[HaraSurya]

I have a very preliminary appointment in a couple weeks with a therapist in the Louisville, Kentucky region who lists transgender as a specialty. The appointment is mostly to get insurance info and talk enough to decide if we're both a good fit as client/therapist, which I think is a good sign.

 

I found the therapist on Psychology Today's website. It'll sound a like a terrible way to pick someone out of other qualified professionals, but based on her photo if I met her at a party and she said she was a therapist who performed transgender counseling I'd believe her without question.

[PollyJPerkins]

Thanks, everyone for the thoughts, insights, and information here. This is exactly what I have been looking to find out about!

[mmspc]

On 5/27/2020 at 4:22 PM, lauraincolumbia said:

How do you know?  They have so many titles?  Without wasting a ton of time and money,  how do you know who you should see?

Good question.  Just my own thoughts:

a) I'd ask if the therapist had previous trans-clients.

b) I'd ask if the therapist had ever written letters endorsing hrt or surgery letters.

 

For me, these'd be the two big questions.  Hate to sound cynical but more often than not, I think many of us (if not most), just want referrals to "willing physicians and/or surgeons" and the gateway letters.

 

[Amber76]

On 11/5/2009 at 1:41 AM, Carolyn Marie said:

Check out the list of gender therapists on this site. Use this link. http://www.lauras-playground.com/gender_therapists.htm  To get on Laura's list, the therapist has to certify that they follow the WPATH Standards of Care, and have some special training in gender issues, but you still should follow the other guidelines I suggest below.

Do you have an updated link?

[Carolyn Marie]

1 hour ago, Amber76 said:

Do you have an updated link?

 

Here is the latest:  https://www.transgenderpulse.com/resource-locator/

 

You can also try your favorite search engine for "gender therapists in (your state or city)."

 

Carolyn Marie

[missyjo]

CarolynMarie 

dear , may I somehow send you a question privately...something I want to know if I may do here without violating any rules. thank you 

hugs

missy jo

[VickySGV]

@missyjoIt is always perfectly fine for you or any member to use the PM system here to ANY staff member, Administrator or Moderator at any time.  We are here to answer the stuff you do not want to put out in public since non members cannot use the message system or see it.  Send @Carolyn Marieyour message without worry, same for me or other Staff.

[missyjo]

vickysgv

thank you dear. 

have sent her email n probably will copy you later, but now I need to finish some work

thank you 

hugs