Male Vs Female Gender Therapist

[Guest AndreaSC]

What are the pros/cons of having a gender therapist who's male vs having one who's female?

[Guest Leah1026]

Going to be sexist here:

If you're MtF I'd suggest you see a female.

If you're FtM I'd suggest seeing a male.

Why? Because women relate to women better and men relate to men better. And also they can be role models of a sort when you're first starting out. My therapist (female of course) made me feel welcome, as a member of the female clan as it were, from day 1.

Told you I was going to bve sexist.

[Guest BunnyWings88]

Hey there AndreaSC!

Well, I think it depends on which gender you're more comfortable talking to. Being a MTF, I would prefer a female therapist since I'm most comfortable around girls. I'm not sure if there are any general pros and cons between the two, but I could be wrong! Hope this helps at least a little

-Erica

[Guest Alice4016]

I've dealt with both. I've found I prefer a female (but maybe that's because I am MTF?). The reason for this is because when I was with a male therapist I noticed he was more to the point, following a set "script" for therapy, just going through the motions (but maybe he was just a bad therapist). My female therapist (the one I'm working with now) is great! She listens, asks questions, and I feel actually cares (she calls on days I don't have sessions sometimes just to check in, etc.). With her it feels more like a friendship than a professional/medical relationship. I do think though I may have just got a poor male therapist, I'm sure the gender does not matter at all...it's their ability to make you feel better/who you feel comfortable with.

[Guest Kelly]

i have a male therapist but hes not the only one in the office

so i get a chance to talk with both...

he also talks to my school counselor and my social worker at school and my Youth Assistance counselor (those three are all female)

[Guest Alicia]

If I wanted to go see a specialised gender therapist I really didn't get a choice in the matter. The therapist I see is female but as I have never had a male therapist I can't really offer any constructive advice.

[Guest raydub]

hrm..i didnt base my gender therapist choice on gender.

my therapist is male, but it works for me. he is direct which i like...even if i dont like what he has to say

also...he has insight about my reactions and feelings. im a male living in a female's body so people expect me to react like a female. when i react like a male.. they retaliate. ive come to this understanding through my therapist who was able to point out that sometimes my reactions and the things i do that my s/o or others think is strange..is more likely gender related. its how a cisguy would act or react.

a plus side to seeing a therapist of your own gender....hrm..unless of course youre bigendered or androgyn...but then im SURE there are bigendered or androgyn therapists out there too.. probably just a little more difficult to find.

Ray

[Guest amie]

Female, and preferably transgendered herself. I want one who can relate over anything else.

[Guest J-Walker]

I've been to pretty much every gender counselor in my state. They were all female, but I've finally settled on one I like. It is awkward to talk to her about things such as sex but there are things I feel comfortable talking to her about in terms of my sexual orientation (I consider myself homosexual). Overall I really don't think the gender of your therapist is such a big deal, but more the personality of them.