suggestions for picking a therapist, please

[missyjo]

Ladies,

I'm so happy I found this place and all of you. I feel instantly a part of a loving family that understands n gets me n my issues. thank you

 

so my pcp treated me as m for years n hugged me when missy went to his office. he suggested a local hospital has an excellent gender clinic. ok good. 

 

that still leaves me needing a therapist, badly. I looked online n have a bunch of names I was going to whittle it down to n send out emails seeing if they're still taking clients etc.

 

my question to you is, is this how you did it? pick a therapist separately n then go to gender clinic? any suggestions what to look for or ask? I was leaning towards wanting in person and online too  is that silly? what kind of rates did everyone get. 

 

anything you care to share so I can try to make a better choice, I would truly appreciate. thank you girls 

 

missy

[Charlize]

I found a therapist by talking to a local trans friend.  At that point clinics were rare at best.  There is a list of therapists in the resource center of tg pulse which might be of helps well.  As a last resort ask the folks at the clinic who they recommend.  I remember just opening up when i went to my therapist.  Perhaps there were two reasons.  I had held things in of so long but i'm also a cheep skate.  I simply couldn't see paying for therapy and not opening up.  It was a great experience for me and it has carried me through the fears and doubts that we often confront on this journey to self realization.

Best of luck in your search and journey.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[Carolyn Marie]

This old post of mine might help answer some of your questions, @missyjo: 

Aside from that, talking to folks at your local LGBT center for recommendations, and as you've already done, checking online, and as Charlize mentioned, using our Resource Finder, Here.  Your idea of sending out e-mails is excellent, and you can use my post to think of some questions to ask them.  Good luck!

 

Carolyn Marie

 

 

 

 

[April Marie]

I found mine through Pride Counseling, online. They are an LGBTQ+ focused sub-group of BetterHealth. They linked me up with a licensed therapist who worked with gender-related/LGTBQ+ issues and who is licensed in my home state. I know it doesn't happen all the time, but the chemistry clicked from the start and I've been with her for about 3 months now. I can't believe how much she's helped me in this relatively short period of time. I am moving from Pride to her private practice to continue my counseling/therapy.

[Marcie Jensen]

In my case, I got lucky. I was on TRICARE at the time and wound up using the services available at Luke AFB, because of, shall we say, circumstances involving my military service involving security clearances and such. I had the same therapist for six years, until she left the military and went into private practice. I followed her and have been with her since. 

[missyjo]

thank you all so very much.

you've given me such good tips, thank you. my friends told me they wish they could help but they're lost in the woods with these issues. so your suggestions are HUGE. 

THANK YOU girls. 😊 

[_Kira_]

Hi Missyjo, 

I just wanted to add one more point from my personal experience. It is extremely important to have a good level of comfort and ease of interacting with your therapist. Sometimes you just don't really click on a personal level. What I am trying to say don't be afraid to look for someone else if the first one doesn't feel right to you. 

[missyjo]

thanks girls

I sent email to 2 different therapist today, so maybe I'm closer..I hope. feeling lately that it would help a lot, especially before I commit to next few steps, like 3 year contract for laser n maybe hrt soon..shivers..I so hope..

 

thanks for your continued help n support girls

 

hugs

 

 

[missyjo]

update

I took everyone's advice n followed a lead in carolyn Marie post n now I'm happy to report I have submitted my initial paperwork n am looking forward to my 1st therapy session next week. cool! 😀

thank you girls

hugs 

[missyjo]

ladies 

thank you. used link in Carolyn' Marie post n my 1st therapy appointment is next week. giggles

thank you

I feel better already 

thank you all. I'll update after my appointment 

hugs 

[Charlize]

Fantastic!  I remember being so excited when i first went to my therapist.  Very shortly i just opened up and a life of fear started to slip away as i started to accept myself.  Please let us know how it went.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[missyjo]

thank you Charlize. I'm excited n hopeful this brings me further on my journey to be the woman I feel I am.

thank you

hugs

[missyjo]

ladies

it went as Charlize described. even after I simply had the initial email n forms to complete I felt, happier, better, like I had 1 more professional in my corner to help guide me along. had first session yesterday n I think it went well. I felt comfortable with her n we have next session next week. 80% of her business is gender related for last 25+ years, so she's been here n heard ut all I expect.

 

 

that's comforting to me. I'm excited, as I told her, nervous but excited n thrilled she would take me as a client. 

 

fingers crossed

 

thank you all. I'll keep you posted n bore you to death I'm sure. giggled

 

hugs

[April Marie]

This is great news!!! It is such a wonderful feeling when you click with your therapist - it makes even the most difficult topics easier. 

 

I had my weekly session on Wednesday and my therapist said she'd had an increase in people reaching out to her on gender-related issues. I feel so fortunate to have found her right from the start.

 

I can't wait to hear how it works out!!!