Therapy Protocol.

[Guest thefireship]

I've only seen the therapist once thus far and though at the end of the session he did let me know that the visit certainly does count towards letters, I find myself concerned over something that didn't happen, which brings me here to ask about it before I set myself up for appointment number two.

Like other doctors, don't therapists take at least -some- personal information for the sake of documentation? I didn't have to fill out anything.

The only "proof" that I went to him the first time was due to paying with a card, so its recorded through the bank, but not for WHY I went. He forgot to mention before the session that he prefers cash on account of him discounting his sessions for those looking to go one hormones/have surgeries, so all I had was plastic. Now that he's told me he prefers cash, and with the lack of me having to write down anything anywhere when I walked into the office.. I'm left nervous. (And a bit guilty about it cause, I mean, if he really is legit, he's giving a great discount for therapy. I want to say he is okay, what with his own office and all but I'm admittedly paranoid.)

Should I.... email him and ask him about it? You know, say I like him and all (which I do) but caught a wave of being nervous about this one thing while I was getting ready to ask to set up the second appointment? Personally, I think he should have an okay reaction to the query but I also don't want to offend the guy either! I mean, he IS giving me one hellova discount. I'd prefer to come off as being wise and careful as opposed to lacking gratitude for the discount.

Thoughts, suggestions, related experiences?

Or maybe I've been in the coffee business too long and am lacking my purchase-punch-card or something. You know, those ones where you have it punched/stamped every time you go in, the end result being a free Joe or something but in this case, it would be that I should be getting that golden ticke- er.. letter for hormones/surgeries.

[Guest Donna Jean]

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You know, Andre'.....that is a perfectly valid feeling and I have to agree with you.

I think that I'd want something a little more "solid" somehow...

Mine gave me a little receipt as does my electrologist ...

Yes, I'd certainly e-mail him and ask for some sort of verification of each visit...

They should have no problem with that...after all, you want your HRT when you hit that point...

I'd contact them....

Just my .02

Donna Jean

[Guest Opal]

My therapist is also seeing me at what I would consider a discount rate. It was three or four visits before we got around to the basic paperwork, emergency contact, personal information, etc.

People still do business here with personal checks, so that is how I have been paying her.

Basically, your therapist is not under any legal obligation to provide you with an HRT letter after so many visits or period of time, so I do not know if having receipts would help you other than to remind him further down the road how long and how many times you have been seeing him.

In my case, I do not have any other local therapists around that have any experience with Transgender issues, so my only other choice would be to go to an on-line therapist.

Anyway, I wish you the best on this. I do understand your concern.

Hugs,

Opal

[Drea]

A receipt might be nice for financial books, document medical expenses, etc.

Therapy is no a metter of just showing up and getting your ticket punched. There is nothing that says you get hormones after so many weeks or sessions. The standards spell out only recommended minimums. If your therapist doesn't feel its time to give a referral etc, they aren't going to give. Its not like you can go see another therapist and say "see I been in therapy since x and have had y appointments can I get my hormone letter now?".

I seen many a person waste their time, their money in therapy, and their therapists time trying to prove they should be given some referral or another rather than take therapy for what it is and let things speak for themselves.