How Do I Get A Gender Therapist In The Uk?

[Guest CariadsCarrot]

Can anyone tell me how things work over here in the UK with getting a gender therapist? Do I go to my GP and ask to be referred to one? What do I say to him?

I'm worried about going to my GP coz he's a family friend and the godfather of my little sister and he tends to tell my parents everything (I haven't come out to them yet and they wont take it well when I do), but I also don't think I can really afford to see one privately and it seems silly to pay for something if I could get it on the NHS.

Gabe

[Guest ceriluv]

Hi Gabe,

if you can’t afford to go privately I think the only way is to see your GP for a referrel........ remember your GP cant disuse anything you tell them outside the medical profession unless you give someone permission to see you medical records ( i.e. like a health insurance company, your employer)

hope that helps

Ceri

[Guest CariadsCarrot]

Thanks Ceri.

I don't think my GP means to do anything wrong. He's known my family for a long time and knows how it functions. My mum doesn't give me either physical or emotional privacy...she expects me to tell her EVERYTHING, and when I do she takes it as given that it's her rite to then discuss it with anyone else she feels like telling (which always involves my sister and grandma...sometimes other relatives and maybe even people outside the family). Sometimes I meet people in the street who I don't even know but they know private stuff about me!

...so my GP assumes that my mum knows things and so thinks it's ok to talk to her. I don't think he sees it as breaking confidentiality even though it is.

Do I just say 'I want to be referred to a gender therapist'? Will my GP know of one to refer me to?

Gabe

[Guest JaniceW]

Do I just say 'I want to be referred to a gender therapist'? Will my GP know of one to refer me to?

I would add, "and I'd like it if you did not say anything to my mum about this."

[Guest CariadsCarrot]

Yeah I hope he will honour that. I think he still sees me as a child even though I'm plenty old enough to be an adult. That's the problem with frequenting places you have been all your life I think.

I will try to be assertive enough to say that.

I'm not sure how I'm going to get to an appointment when I do get one without her knowing anyway though (public transport is not very easy as it's not all accessible round here and if one of my carers take me my mum will find out...aw man, it's pathetic how much control she still has over my life at my age...can we say 'dysfunctional'!) so maybe I should let him tell her and that way I don't have to tell her myself lol

...no that's a bad idea!

[Guest Tara Ann]

The term "gender therapist" doesn't get used universally in the NHS. Tell your GP about your gender identity issues and ask to see a gender specialist. That's my advice.

This PDF is interesting reading: http://www.gires.org.uk/assets/DOH-Assets/pdf/doh-guidelines-for-clinicians.pdf

It's an official booklet for GPs on dealing with trans patients. On page 6 it stresses the need for doctors and staff to be discreet: "Confidentiality is required for all service users, but this is a particularly sensitive issue for trans people. Reception staff and practice nurses, as well as doctors, need to be aware that unnecessary and unwanted disclosure of the transsexual status of service users is bad practice and, in respect of those who are covered by the privacy provisions of the Gender Recognition Act, could amount to a criminal offence."

If you have a printer you could print it off to show your to GP. He might find it useful.

[Guest SummerDay]

The NHS documents Tara Ann linked to cover the basics. From what I understand you just have to roll up and spill. Unless something has changed there's still an 18 week target so it's not as if you have to wait years anymore.

The last time I visited my doctor about something else I nearly mentioned the transgender thing but hesitated and he had one of those 'meeting over now we're done' looks on his face. The practice also deals regularly with drug addicts and if some of the people who live around here are a clue then transgenders as well so my guess is they're switched on.

I've been struggling with this all week for different reasons. I've got a great doctor and live in a hipster neighbourhood so that's all cool. The thing that's been dragging me down is thinking about outcomes and transition. It's got that whole "What are you thinking?" going on.