A Question About Therapists

[Guest Sheila]

I am seeing a regular psychologist for depression. I told him the first day about my gender issue's. He tells me we will address this problem along with some other issue's confronting me. What I'm wondering, is he able to supply me with the letter I need to start HRT? Or do I have to go to a gender therapist that specializes in gender issue's? I wish to get on track and follow the standards of care established by WPATH, and stop self medicating. If he can't do this because of this or that, I will continue with the meds I'm on now. I can already hear the wave of protest, but this is something I have to do. I'm giving this an honest effort and need to find out if my psychologist can legaly help me. Please,does someone have an answer?

[Sally]

My first answer is I don't know for the hormones letter, my second is no for the SRS letter - it requires two and one must be from a PHD. I think that you should ask your psychologist now and be sure waht he needs to do to get you onto a doctor regulated HRT for your own health - he should be able to arrange this maybe by consulting with anther thereapist who does specialize in gender therapy. Talk to him about it - this is very important!

I'm not going to be part of the 'Wave of protest', you know what I would say and why I would say it - that is why you want the lettere in the first place. I have supplied you with a plan of actiom - it is up to you to implement it!

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest mia 1]

Shelia, first and foremost congrats on the therapy. I know you said you have limited economic resources. Well join the group of the great unwashed. There are a lot moreof us taht are pinching the remaining nickels and dimes.

Second: Ask your therapist those questions directly that you have asked for. We will be glad to help but he is the one with the definitive answers.

Third" You're an adult you know the consequences for self medicating, so think! Hugs for finding the therapist. Mia.

[Guest Sheila]

Thanks Ladies, I'm going to see him tomorrow and will make sure I stress the importance of getting myself under a Dr.s care for HRT. i will know more tomorrow....Hugs

[Guest Martin]

Good luck!!! I hope he'll be able to help you.

While I got my T letter and my top surgery letter from a gender therapist, I'm getting my bottom surgery letters from my general therapists and my psychiatrist. I don't know how your therapist feels specifically, but I do know that he can legally write the hormone letter and one of the SRS letters.

[Guest Sheila]

The good news is that yes my pyschologist can supply me with my HRT letter.The bad news is he said not at this time. I've only seen him twice and am trying to press the fact that I need to stop self medicating. I tried to explain the importance of being under a Dr.'s care and getting the proper treatment. The Dr. wanted to know how I was going to find a Dr. to get the scripts and blood tests I need. I wasn't sure how to answer him but said, I know there's a couple down in the Detroit area. I know I can find one down there, one way or the other. I belong to a couple of support groups and will start searching before my next appointment, so I can have a Dr.'s name for him. He doesn't seem to educated on transgender issue's and I'm wondering if I might have better luck with a gender therapist. He seems confused with the subject but will do my best to educate him. We haven't even talked about my depression yet but he's waiting on some tests I took. Basicly we talked about my motorcycle accident and my gender issue's

[Guest Sheila]

Thanks Martin, I can sure use the luck...

[Guest Donna Jean]

Hey, Shelia! Good morning!

Well, Hon..we're both kinda in the same boat...My therapist is giving me my letter, but, I'm having trouble finding an Endocrinologist do to the hormones. A regular Dr. can do it for you if he agrees to it. I live in the sticks and may have to drive quite a distance for it, but, it's doable!

I've contacted area LGBT groups to find a Trans friendly Endo...that can help ...Your regular Dr. may be helpful in finding who you need...Even an OB/GYN can do it!

Hey Shelia, I've had a motorcycle Ouchie ,too...I'm over it these days, but, I T-boned a Buick one sunny morning and it hurt a LOT..OWWWwwwwwwww. And my beautiful Harley..'sob' snif'..

If you are a veteran you might check with the VA..might be some help..and a gender therapist will surely know of an Endo for you...On Laura's here is a list of gender therapists by state ..call some in your area and ask for a Dr...

Hope some of this helps, Sweetie..I want you to get what you need...

PM me if you need to, ok?

HUGGS

Donna JEan

[Sally]

I just wanted to offer you my support as well, Donna Jean has given you the information that you need to find the proper help.

I would definitly suggest the gender therapist, they are much better equipted to handel your situation. You need the therapist to be helping you not you helping your therapist.

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest Cait]

you have to find one that's regular first...most are well done!!!

[Guest Little Sara]

Yeah my psychologist didn't WANT to write a letter for me. He said he didn't have "the right" to do it. This resulted in our meetings being unproductive and my being without diagnosis for 2 years (although I was still having them from doctors, and with blood work).

[Guest Cait]

if you can find one who is regular