Wonderful news!

[Guest Chrysee]

Recently, I decided to cave in to some heat I was getting from both my partner and my doctor, both of whom felt that I badly needed 'someone to talk to.' Now my quest to receive gender therapy had pretty much ground to a halt due to a number of reasons all of which concerned finances. (I'm on disability and live on a rather meager pittance.)

My doctor offered to have some life specialist at the clinic talk to me and possibly suggest a proper (and available) counsellor. With much attitude I must admit, I met with this guy who listened to what I had to say. When I was done, he promised me two things: that he would find just the right counsellor for me, and that I would not have to bus too terribly far to get there.

He called me a week later with a name and number and wanted to point out that both this counsellor and the clinic for which he worked were extremely LGBTQ friendly. And that was what sold me.

At my first session, among other things, I lamented my lack of a gender therapist.

"Ah," he replied. "So you're here to do that with me. I get it."

Oh?

I was speechless and did not pursue the subject for the remainder of the first session. (Can you believe it?)

Before my second session, a friend that lives half way around the world and that I met here at Laura's rejoiced at my news and took it upon herself to google my therapists name. Now this therapist earned his M.A. here in Rosaria at the very University where my partner works. And in addition to that, Patsy found that he'd posted his entire Masters Thesis on line. I haven't finished reading it, but as regards my therapist. . .well, let's say I can relate.

At my next session, he admitted that, though not a certified gender therapist, he routinely works with people in my situation. And when he feels the time is right, he sends them off with a letter which they then take to a doctor and are placed on HRT. And this is routine for him, not just a rare exception. How that works I don't know. . .but it does.

He asked about my time frame and I said that I wouldn't presume. I would leave that up to him. I pointed out that I've heard that it can sometimes take a year or so before the therapist is satisfied. He shook his head and said that he did not see me taking that long. He then went on to suggest what would probably be in my letter, i.e. my stability and my extensive support system.

All a bit much, I admit, and I'm sorry that this post is so darn long. . .but. . .oh my God!

Thanks for reading,

Cissy Sartorious

The Belle of Felony Flats

[JJ]

Fantastic news Cissy!

I love it when wonderful things happen serendipitously! Makes then sweeter somehow sometimes. And reinforces that good things can happen unexpectedly as well as bad.

Life is such a funny adventure. All the best with your new therapist

Hugs

Johnny

[Guest Juniper Blue]

Oh Cissy!! What wonderful news!! Thanks for sharing! I am very happy for you!

[Guest Chrysee]

Oh Cissy!! What wonderful news!! Thanks for sharing! I am very happy for you!

Of course you had pretty much heard it all, anyway.

But thanks so. I dig how supportive you are. May I be there for you, as well.

[Guest Alder]

Hurray! I keep having to push back my first actual session due to holidays and now weather, I hope I have as good an experience as yourself!

[Guest Micha]

Yo, when it's news tha's good like this, a post can't be long enough.

[Guest Chrysee]

Thank you all!

I just cannot say how much you and the entire Playground have come to mean to me.

Love,

Cissy

[Guest Patsy]

Go girl! Soooo pleased for you.

[Guest Chrysee]

Go girl! Soooo pleased for you.

I know you are, Sweetie.

And I'm so pleased that this got you to drop in!

[Guest Jo-I-Dunno]

There's a wide range of schools of thought for trans care and while there are plenty who think things like hormones are gigantic, terrifying last-resorts that no sane person could possibly make the decision to undergo on their own, more and more therapists are willing to hand out letters of recommendation just knowing the patient knows what they're doing and isn't putting themself in danger. Heck, some hormone-prescribing doctors are starting to realize this too. My doctor just asked for one visit with a therapist verifying my mental stability and informed consent, no real letter of recommendation per se. He slapped the label of "hormone imbalance" on my insurance forms and, boom, HRT for me!

Just remember, the Standards of Care isn't law, it's a set of guidelines the people can choose to follow or not.

So, yes, I can believe. But also, hurrah for you!

[Guest Chrysee]

Wow, thanks for putting it all so clearly for me.

My insurance refused to help with my transition, but in this circumstance I've crept under their radar, it seems.

And you're right, I believe that I was looking at the Standards of Care as some sort of unbreakable law.

Later,

Cissy