what to expect from 1st session with a gt

[Guest nyssa ambrosha]

what should i expect? i admit i am nervous about speaking face to face with someone about this. and as time comes closer my nervousness will most likely grow. i have my 1st session after work on dec 15th at the u of m center. i have only heard recomendations about them so i feal confident that they are qualified in this mater to treat me. but i stay awake at night now wondering about that first session. i know this is no longer a option for me, but something i NEED to do to continue with life.

[Guest Krisina]

The first appointments are pretty easy. They tie you down to a rack and stretch your body in the dungeon until you tell them who you really are. They really get you to tell them you about your true self. You stay a week so the marks go away so it will be your word against them. It only gets better from there.

Now that I'm done with my part of making you feel more at ease, I will tell you a little bit about what I talked about.

It's an intro session for them to get to know you a bit and you. You might talk about why you are there, what got you to the point of wanting to get some help. How you feel inside, how long it has been from a few years or many years. Etc. what you have tried, have you dressed up in women's clothing, or tried makeup, how did you feel etc etc. Tell them what you want too. What you would like the future to be like for you if you have an idea.

Remember this. They aren't there to test you pass or fail. They are there to help you. You wanted help, you reached out and you are there. They will have some ideas on how to help you feel better and more at ease. Not all at once of course or in the first session but over time. Later on they will give you some ideas of what you can do you might not have even thought of.

Be honest, be yourself, they have seen many people all different some at the beginning of talking about this for the first time, not having a chance to really ever dress up or go out and look like their true selves with huge fears of losing everything to others who might have been living full time for a while without hormones and have reached a point where they want more.

You will do just great. Trust me. The fear and anxiety of the unknown can be stressful at times. When it is over you will have all that pressure lifted off of your shoulders of your first appointment.

Krisina

[Guest nyssa ambrosha]

that first part made me laff... you never know i might of enjoyed that... lmfao

but thats kind of what i was thinking it was. but i have my fears, while haveing no doubts or anything of who i want to become on the outside to match how i feal. i just wish i could of done this years ago. but im glad in someways. if i didnt wait till now i wouldnt have my kids. which are very young still and i have a plan for. i also have a plan for a future income. ive thought this out for years. the only thing i can see that might hold me back is if my ex decides to try to keep my kids from me due to this. im trying to reaserch that end of things now to see if there is any kind of protection in place in michigan.

[Guest Elena]

Also, a big part of that first apointment is so you can get a feel for the therapist. Whether you feel you can trust them and be able to open up. It should feel safe! Not nessecarily comfortable at first, that may take a while. They understand you have likely been hiding often even from yourself. Their job is to help you let go of the fear enough to start doing some digging.

Sometimes it takes several sessions to feel safe enough to actually open up. If you're lucky you may find that it only takes meeting them for that first time to know if they are someone you can feel safe talking to. Then sometimes you just will never be able to establish that. I have dealt with quite a few therapists over the years and experienced all 3. One I had to learn to trust, several I couldn't imagine that anyone might be comfortable talking with, and 2 that I instantly connected with. My GT is one of the later. When I met him, we introduced ourselves, sat down, I opened my mouth and didn't stop talking for longer than it took to draw breath for the next hour and a half.

My recommendation is if you don't start to feel that sense of safety after 4-5 sessions, find a different therapist. And if for some reason they get your hackles up or you feel decidedly unsafe at any time. Find someone else. Sometimes the chemistry just isn't there or is actively negative.

Hope that helps!

<3

Elena

[Guest nyssa ambrosha]

ive all ready reaserched her background and allready feal i can trust and open up to her. but, im still very nervous and excited at the same time. i feal as if the evil monkey is out of the closet and on my back now. im seeing nancy quay. she has been working with transgender issues since 1997.

[Guest Krisina]

ive all ready reaserched her background and allready feal i can trust and open up to her. but, im still very nervous and excited at the same time. i feal as if the evil monkey is out of the closet and on my back now. im seeing nancy quay. she has been working with transgender issues since 1997.

Honey, if you are on your back that wasn't a monkey in the closet it was a gorilla. The monkeys aren't as heavy and are easier to deal with. Next time the gorilla is in the closet and you have an idea it might get out have a table at the far end of the room with grapes or bananas, they like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches too. If the gorilla sits on you, just point to the food and make your escape when the gorilla bolts for the food. The worst time this ever happens is just before work. Try explaining the story about the gorilla in the closet to your boss, they never go for it. LOL.

It does sound like you have done your research about the gender therapist. It will be a great relief to discuss all of this and what you want. Love your avatar pic btw. I hope you won't have any trouble in Michigan with your ex keeping your kids from you because of all of this. I hope not, do your diligent research like you have been doing too. Even though the law changes slowly on some things I still think about how we are treated for a medical condition. It's not our minds but the body. The brain can't be fixed but the body can.

Hugs

Krisina

[Guest Kael147]

My first appointment was about 6 months ago. I was pretty nervous because I really had never shared everything with someone before. I had told a couple people that I was having some gender issues, but I hadn't really ever gotten into it.

My first appointment witht the GT was an hour and a half. I asked for a longer appointment so that I didn't feel rushed. We did some background, parents, siblings, spouse, kids, education, health, mental health background, etc.

Then she asked me why I was there. I told her some of what was going on for me. She probed a little and I ended up dumping everything I had been holding on to for so many years. There was no judgment, in fact I felt the complete opposite. I told her I didn't want to be pushed or move too fast, but once I let the cat out of the bag - it was off and running. I finally knew exactly what I needed to do. She didn't tell me what to do, or how to do anything, unless I asked and even then she only made suggestions. I had never felt less burdened in my whole life (it got better once all of my important people knew). Relief to not be holding in so much shame, guilt, and sadness. I wasn't hiding anymore - it was amazing.

I'm not going to say it's like that for everyone, no idea really, but for me it was worth the couple hundred bucks it cost me. I have kept going to see her and she has helped me immensly. She is going to do my assessment (required for hrt and srs in my Province) and is helping me to get to the right places for both. She seems to think I can get top surgery sooner rather than later and this is opposite from what I've read, so if true, she is a great resource.

Anywhoooo... very positive and I've been really glad to have someone to talk to - wish I'd gone years ago, but everything in due course I suppose.

Good luck,

Kael

[Guest GinaInside]

My first appointment went much like Krisina described, but she (GT) also gave me an impromptu physical assessment, a sort-of once over. She was easy to talk to, had heard it in many variations. I went to her because she was part of a TS support group. After a while, I really got more from going to the group meetings, than speaking to the GT. Please consider joining a local support group, also.

I wish you all the best.

Hugz,

Gina Renee

[Guest nyssa ambrosha]

4 more days!!! i cant wait. but im nervous at the same time.my girlfriend is thinking im crazy for being so nervous and excited at the same time. im lucky to have her.

[Guest nyssa ambrosha]

Everything went good... i only lost my pinky finger... . I go back on tuesday

[Guest Svenna]

Everything went good... i only lost my pinky finger... . I go back on tuesday

Better'n a thumb!

Good for you, this part was actually fun for me. There will be ups and downs afterward, but that is to be expected...

I am happy for you.Thanks for sharing!

Love, Svenna

[Guest nyssa ambrosha]

Your welcome!!! I enjoy shareing in that it may help someone else.