Gender Therapist in Germany?

[Steffi_Memmel]

Hello,

Google has not been my friend...  I'm looking for an English-speaking Gender Therapist in MY area of Germany, which is to say Amberg/Weiden (Bavaria).

I can find tons of results in Berlin (4 hours away) and Munich (3 hours away) etc...  I work full time, and can't handle such a long commute for therapy, but I REALLY need it.  Is anyone aware of a specific resource to aid in finding one (an English-speaking Gender Therapist) closer to my area?  Or, does anyone by any chance actually actually know of one that they can  recommend?

ANY advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated!

[Jani]

Hello Steffi.  Here are a couple places to look.

http://internationaltherapistdirectory.com/germany/

A hospital brochure: page 47 Gender Surgery and Assignment is mentioned so they may have contacts either in house or locally for therapy.  https://www.kliniken-nordoberpfalz.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Kliniken-NO_WEN-ENGLISCH.pdf

This is geared towards english speaking ex-pats but may be of value.

http://www.howtogermany.com/pages/psychological-support.html

Jani

 

[Steffi_Memmel]

Jani,

EXTREMELY helpful!  Thank you!!!  I sent off an e-mail to PsyShrink, the website suggested by "How To Germany", they offer "e-therapy" in English, although it's not yet clear if they have a "Gender Issue" specialist or not...  A couple of the resumes of the therapists are encouraging though.

The brochure from Weiden hospital was a HUGE surprise.  Unfortunately, it's not clear from the brochire alone if the appropriate specialist(s) may or may not speak English, so I will keep them in reserve, if the e-therapy thing is a bust.

I have to say, I know it's a relatively small "step", but just typing, "I have gender identity issues and I need to talk to somebody" on the e-therapy request form made my heart pound in my chest!

 

THANKS again,

 

/hugs

[Jani]

Great!  I'm glad I could help.  You might contact Weiden Hospital to inquire.  Start with the department that offers surgery asking about other support resources.

It may seem like a small step but I think you'll find the impact on your life to be large. 

Jani

 

[Steffi_Memmel]

Well, the group responded.  Actually the founder of the group responded, and I have an "e-therapy" appointment for next Tuesday.  She's not a "Gender Therapist" specifically, but I raised my concerns about that, and she assures me that she can help me.  I'll take her at her word.  There's another therapist from the same group that seems a little more "on the nose", but still not a "Gender Therapist" by definition.

I made it clear that I feel I am likely Transgender, and seeking a path to HRT at a minimum, and possible further transition down the line.  Without committing to a diagnosis in advance, which is a GOOD thing, she reassured me that if I was Gender Dysphoric, she would have no problems recommending HRT.

If the first therapist and I don't work well together, I'll try the other one.  They have about eight or nine English-speaking therapists, but only three offer regular e-therapy.  Based on their resumes, two of the three are the ones I would have wanted anyway.

 

Thanks again, Jani!

 

/hugs

[Jani]

Very Good!   I would anticipate the first part of the e-meeting to cover administrative items so you may not jump right in to it.  It certainly sounds like you've set the tone in your request to them.  Best wishes.

Jani

[VickySGV]

1 minute ago, Steffi_Memmel said:

She's not a "Gender Therapist" specifically, but I raised my concerns about that, and she assures me that she can help me. 

There are no formal certifications for Gender Therapists anywhere that I have heard of in over 20 years.  Even therapists who bill themselves as "Gender Therapists" have started out as "garden variety" therapists who deal with the whole range of Behavioral Therapy problems such as counseling for depression, school or work issues, marriage and family issues and the like.  I think it is true to say that if all a therapist did was Gender Therapy, they would starve to death pretty quickly from lack of clients.  Your therapist has stated an interest in you and you should do fine. Get it going and see what happens.

[Steffi_Memmel]

Jani and Vicky,

THANK you for the encouragement!

Vicky, thank you for that tidbit of info.  I have seen/read the term "Gender Therapist" all over the place, especially on this forum, so I thought it was a strictly-defined "thing".  It's actually reassuring to know that it's not.  The first therapist lists extensive "specialties", but none directly related to Gender Dysphoria, although PLENTY tangentially-related ones:  Depression, Body-Image issues, Loneliness/Isolation, etc...  The second one, specifically lists "Sexual behavior problems (deviant sexual interests, paraphilias)"  and "Issues around sexual orientation and Identity" as among her "specialties".

The only reason I am not immediately going for the SECOND therapist is that English is her second language.  I don't want to have ANY nuances missed due to translation issues.  The first therapist is Australian by birth, and married to a German, which is why she practices here

Both are female, which is very important to me.  Not SO important as I would refuse therapy, but definitely a huge "plus" in my book.  I was NOT looking forward to explaining to a MAN why I wanted to NOT be a man, no matter how understanding he was.  I know, it's prejudiced, and stereotyping, and a host of other negative things, but I really wanted a female therapist (that speaks English), and now I have the choice of TWO, who are both willing to see me online.

 

/smoochies

[Sonja]

Almost one year over - would you mind informing us if you were successful?

 

I am here in Northern Bavaria myself and looking for ways to take my next steps. The problem I see on the site of those PsyShrink-people as in general is the wrong approach of pathologizing us. We are neither sick or suffer some kind of disease nor is there a "cure". If there are some who say so, I call it brainwashing.

 

Anyway, I wonder if you got any further on your way and would appreciate some (good) news as I am stuck a little on my path but aching to continue.