Meeting new therapist today

[Guest Edu]

Those of you who have followed my seldom posts will be aware that I have been stuck for over three years with the therapist provided by Spain's public health system: a general psychologist with no experience nor any specialized knowledge about gender issues. And if you hadn't followed my posts, you know that anyway after reading this paragraph

For the last few months, however, I had been looking around trying to find a new therapist who has some actual experience or at least knowledge on gender-related issues and I could afford. It seems that there are plenty of qualified specialists in my area, but their fares are astronomical, to say the least (some charging for a one hour session more than I earn in a week working full-time).

Some days ago, my brother told me he has a friend who is a psychologist, and could be able to either take care of my therapy or forward me to someone who can.

So, in around 4 hours (probably less by the time this actually gets published), I'll be meeting the Dr. that is likely to become my new therapist.

I'm getting a bit nervous, and that's quite the reason I'm posting; but at least I'm not as nervous as I was when I first met my old therapist, over three years ago. It's good to let things out

I'll post back this evening to let you know how it went. Now I gotta be back to pretending that I'm working (just kidding, I'm quite a good worker, and I'm on a break right now so it's ok to be posting).

Regards,

Ethain

[KathrynJulia]

Good luck Ethain:

I love my therapist Ethain and look forward to my appointments. I hope that you to have such a happy feeling towards your Therapist.

Kathryn

[Carolyn Marie]

I hope this new therapist works out for you, Ethain. Even if they don't know much about GID/Dysphoria, they would be willing to read the SoC and other info and study up on it. It's not so complicated that they can't learn it. I wish you luck, and please let us know how it goes.

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Edu]

I could say this first meeting went rather well... but that'd definitely be an understatement! :)

Although not a specialist in gender issues, she seems to be much more documented on the topic than my old therapist.

I won't go deep into details, mostly because I gotta wake up early and it's getting late; but there is something I find very worth highlighting:

By the end of the meeting, after agreeing that I'd undergo therapy with her, she asked me whether I'd prefer to be addressed in masculine or feminine terms (in Spanish it's more about the use of adjectives rather than pronouns, but aside from linguistic details, it's pretty much the same as asking an English speaker which pronouns would s/he prefer). What actually strikes me is that in over three years, my old therapist never asked!

I'm about to fall asleep on my keyboard, so that's all for now. I'll surely share with you all how do the first few sessions go.

Regards,

Ethain

[Carolyn Marie]

That's sounds very, very encouraging, Ethain. I'm glad for you, hon. Continued good luck to you.

HUGS

Carolyn Marie