I'm kinda freaking out....

[Aylamac]

So I have my first appointment with a therapist today in about a half hour. My heart is pounding and I keep going over in my head what to say, imagining how it will go. I'm in the Air Force and this first appointment is through the military mental health system. I keep playing in my head a hypothetical scenario where I'm essentially shot down, despite coming out and transitioning while staying in being allowed now. I keep coming up with ways to defend my "transness" in my head in order to convince the doctor of what I know I need. I realize this is all insane and hypothetical considering the appointment hasn't even happened yet, I just really wanted to vent. I'll update afterwards. If you made it this far, thank you!

[VickySGV]

I doubt you will be shot down, but maybe not immediately assigned a take-off order slot on the best runway for a few sessions, but while the military is still having some problems with us, usually therapists are not the enemies or the bad brass they are feared to be.  You do not have to defend being Trans, nor do you have to fit a specific check list to be part of the mob.  Being willing to share and discuss how becoming your best gender will help you and the AF over time is the approach.  Also showing you are willing to take sensible shorter steps to becoming YOU and cooperate with your therapist as a team member will be your best route on this.  Good luck and you will have the airspeed and altitude you need with the information you get about yourself from the counseling.

[Carolyn Marie]

Aylamac, I agree with what @VickySGV told you.  Hopefully this therapist has some experience with trans folk, but even if not, they should have resources they can call on to guide them and their approach to you.  By now you're already in your session, so I look forward to hearing how it went.  Good luck!

 

Carolyn Marie

[Aylamac]

So as is typical for me, I was way over reacting. The therapist was fantastic. I could tell he had never dealt with a trans person before, but it was also obvious he had attempted to do research ahead of time. What I thought was especially great, was his transparency. He made sure to let me know that he does come from a more traditional religious background, but that he would ensure it did not impact my care at all. He went on to say that if i ever felt uncomfortable, or if he misspoke about something concerning being transgender to call him on it so he can learn. Finally, if I felt he was letting any sort of personal bias creep into our sessions, that he would assist me in selecting a different therapist to see in the office. He listened to my concerns and put my mind at ease when it came to potential career impacts. Also he briefly mentioned a potential dysphoria diagnosis, which I thought was obvious, but to begin the transition process while still serving, an official diagnosis of gender dysphoria is required. All in all it was a pretty good experience. I have my next appointment scheduled in a few weeks!