i have a therapist who may know im trans but im scared to talk about it

[E11iot]

i have a new therapist shes nice and all we sometimes even play cards at the end of sessions, but i am  still scared to tell her im a boy, not a girl. i have  only been with her for 4 sessions at best, should i just wait to tell her when were more deeper into it?

[Jani]

Hello E11iot.  I would certainly speak with your therapist.  That is the only way to get to talk about this.

 

Jani

[Vidanjali]

The therapist's office by definition must be a safe space. I think it's better to talk about it sooner than later. If you are having trouble summoning up the courage, start by telling your therapist that you're experiencing fear and holding back. Starting there with your therapist may encourage you to open up and trust more. That way, you can perhaps ease into discussing your gender with them. 

[awkward-yet-sweet]

Ease into it, but remember - you're a paying customer.  You control the situation, not the therapist.  If things go badly, you can always leave and go somewhere else.  I've walked away from a couple of them this year. 

[E11iot]

On 11/20/2022 at 9:13 AM, Vidanjali said:

The therapist's office by definition must be a safe space. I think it's better to talk about it sooner than later. If you are having trouble summoning up the courage, start by telling your therapist that you're experiencing fear and holding back. Starting there with your therapist may encourage you to open up and trust more. That way, you can perhaps ease into discussing your gender with them. 

thank you! ill keep that in mind next time i talk to her!

[Susan R]

On 11/19/2022 at 6:44 AM, E11iot said:

should i just wait to tell her when were more deeper into it?

As others have mentioned, therapy a relatively safe space to discuss topics like this. A good therapist has heard it all anyways and gender related topics of today won’t likely be of much surprise to them. They may even have some clue already but won’t “out” you blatantly.

 

Honesty and full disclosure are the best ways enable them to develop a fuller picture of who you are, what you’ve been through and what you’re currently dealing with in your life. The sooner you disclose these important pieces of your life, the better and sooner they can help you. Without a complete perspective, they’re basically working on a puzzle with several key pieces missing. The benefit to you could be greatly compromised if important information is left out.

[Russ Fenrisson]

Not everyone's circumstances are the same, but as everyone has said, when you feel comfortable about it, that's when you tell the therapist. If you have gender dysphoria of any kind and wish to speak to your therapist about it, they will surely help you alongside whatever other reasons you may have for going to see them. They might have dealt with gender diverse people before and if not, they will surely do their best to help you in any way they can. If GD happens to be an issue you want resolved, they might know someone too that can help with that.

 

When I started seeing my therapist, I told them the first session. I had looked around and read up on them before taking them on. They reacted quite positively and were very affirming. Sometimes just getting it out is half the battle, but letting it out can be shockingly satisfying sometimes.