2nd Therapist Appointment Today

[Guest Alyssa Leigh]

Well I had my 2nd therapist appointment earlier today. I showed up early and waited until it was 2:00 Pm but that time came and went and he still wasnt there. He was 15-20 minutes late which wouldnt have been a problem if he would have had his secratary tell me that. When he did show up he told me that someone had given birth to a child that they couldnt tell what the gender was and they needed his help to determine what it was. I guess I can get over it since that was important. Well anyways he had me draw a picture of a person he didnt give any criteria of what gender it had to be or anything so I drew a female, the second one he had me draw the opposite gender so I drew a male and while I was doing this I was sitting there thinking that it was pointless and asked if there was a reason for me doing this. He told me that he would explain when I was done. the third one he wanted me to draw was one of myself but I misunderstood and I started to draw all three on 1 sheet of paper then when I asked to confirm if I had to draw myself how I actually am or how I see myself. He said to not worry about finishing it. He finally explained to me that he has all of his new clients draw a few pictures of people and then pointed to the female one and said that was the one I did first which is normal apparently for people with gender confussion and the male is the one they draw last. He then asked if the female one is how I see myself and I said yes. I was told that was also normal for many people.

I just hope that he actually starts doing more beneficial things but I guess everything he has done so far are things that have to be done altough I am still unsure as to why. If anyone can give me what they think of the things he is having me do.

Alyssa

[Guest Donna Jean]

Well, congratulations on the second appointment...you are beginning to roll now...

Hon....therapists.....My, My, My...

At first I was kinda ticked off at mine as I thought he was wasting my time and my money...

"What are these games?" I thought???

Well, after some reading and asking around I found that this is the way that they zero in on you..get an idea of where you are coming from..some of it seems pointless to us, but there is a reason behind it as a therapist figures us out!

These things aren't pointless at all...

For months my therapist would throw me "Bombs" out of the blue to try to catch me off guard..

Say..."If you're not able to transition what will you do?"

Oh, no you don't...you're not catching me on that! I AM going to transition!!! They look for any secret doubts that you may have...

So, don't worry, Hon...they all have different methods to draw us out...some seem silly or stupid...

There is a reason......

So..........

What was the baby? Male, female or "Other"?

Donna Jean

[Sally]

He is trying to be sure of his diagnosis.

This is very important and he wants to be sure that he feels comfortable with helping you.

He will be your guide to your path and he wants to check the compass first.

Ok?

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest Alyssa Leigh]

Well, congratulations on the second appointment...you are beginning to roll now...

Hon....therapists.....My, My, My...

At first I was kinda ticked off at mine as I thought he was wasting my time and my money...

"What are these games?" I thought???

Well, after some reading and asking around I found that this is the way that they zero in on you..get an idea of where you are coming from..some of it seems pointless to us, but there is a reason behind it as a therapist figures us out!

These things aren't pointless at all...

For months my therapist would throw me "Bombs" out of the blue to try to catch me off guard..

Say..."If you're not able to transition what will you do?"

Oh, no you don't...you're not catching me on that! I AM going to transition!!! They look for any secret doubts that you may have...

So, don't worry, Hon...they all have different methods to draw us out...some seem silly or stupid...

There is a reason......

So..........

What was the baby? Male, female or "Other"?

Donna Jean

I know he is trying to help but what therapist in their right mind has you draw pictures?

I wasnt able to find out the gender, although I found that interesting that they didnt know. . My understanding is he does quite a bit of work inside the hospital as well.

[Guest Anthelia]

I had a therapist a while ago that had me draw pictures as well. At this point it was to see if I was affected by my parents divorce and I believe I was told to draw a picture of a family.

--Lauren

[Carolyn Marie]

Alyssa,

I think drawing pictures is a fairly common way of having patients express themselves, as they may give visual indications

of how they feel more readily and openly than they would verbally. I believe it makes people feel less self-conscious

to draw or paint it.

If you have serious concerns about his methods, I would bring it up for discussion, but I think its too early to tell

after just 2 sessions. Give it more time, hon. You're on the right path. Keep at it. We're all behind you.

Love,

Carolyn Marie.

[Paula ult]

Gee i feel left out, i didn't have to draw pictures but then again I'm brutally honest and open with my therapist, and if there is something i can't answer i tell him so. Having only two sessions he is still getting to know you and you him, each session will build on the others till he has a pretty complete picture of you. Expect to see him at least 3 months before getting a letter to start hormones, could be less or more depending on the therapist.

Paula

[Guest joe0117]

All therapist have some style that they tend to favor or be more comfortable with. Some us DBT (dialectical behavior therapy), CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), some use expressive therapies such as writing, art/drawing, role playing, music therapy, dance ... lots of things to tap into how you feel. Expressive therapist are pretty good at drawing stuff out of your creations that are underlying issues. You could ask what style they most often implement and see if that style works for you. It takes a while to develop a realtionship and establish trust but bottom line - you need to feel comfortable with your therapist.

Joe