Some Advice On Finding A Qualified Therapist, Please

[Guest sarathompson]

Hi everybody! Does anyone have any advice on the best way to find a qualified therapist? I've tried looking for a gender specialist, but it just seems like either they don't exist in my area or they simply don't advertise themselves as 'gender therapists'. I'm willing to randomly cold call from the phone book, but I don't even know what to ask. Are there any keys to finding somebody that is not just an all-in-one therapist when they don't openly announce it?

Thanks so much for any help y'all can provide!

Love,

Sara

[Guest April63]

There is a list on this website somewhere. Or you could search on Google, or maybe ask your regular doctor. Or go in to see a regular counselor/therapist. He might be good enough for you, and if not, he might know. Or you could try the phonebook if that's what you want to do. There's several ways.

[MaryEllen]

These are the two that we have listed for SC. Are either one of these near you?

MaryEllen

South Carolina

Jerrold E. Hammond, M.D.

314 Grove Street

Charleston, SC. 29403

Phone : (843) 722-2883

Thomas J. Portney, MA, LICSW

11417 Georgia Ave, Suite C

North Augusta, SC. 29841

Phone : (803) 442-9410

[Guest Donna Jean]

Hey, Honey...

April is right!

Check out this ...it's right here on this site....

http://www.lauras-playground.com/gender_therapists.htm

Good luck, Hon...

Come back and tell what you found.....OK?

HUGG!

Donna Jean

[Guest NatalieRene]

I hope one of those therapists works out for you Sara.

Oh and if anyone in the DC metro area that can get to Old Town Alexandria and needs a therapist I would recommend Eleanor Criswell, Ph.D. I feel like I had a instant rapport with her. Just a note though her contact info in the list is out of date. Her address has changed to 312 S. Washington Street Suite 3B, Alexandria, VA 22314-3631

[Guest sarathompson]

Thanks for the responses! Unfortunately, it appears that Dr. Hammond passed away in 2004 (http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/39/12/14-a), and Thomas J. Portney, while alive, is a 3 hour drive from where I live, which is a bit of a hike.

So I guess my question would be, if were to randomly call a therapist, are there are any questions I should ask them to get a sense of their qualifications?

Thanks so much!

Love,

Sara

[Guest NatalieRene]

I would check what their professional associations are. Being direct can't hurt either, because even if they can't help themselves they may be able to point you to someone else that can.

[Guest Valentine]

Thanks for the responses! Unfortunately, it appears that Dr. Hammond passed away in 2004 (http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/39/12/14-a), and Thomas J. Portney, while alive, is a 3 hour drive from where I live, which is a bit of a hike.

So I guess my question would be, if were to randomly call a therapist, are there are any questions I should ask them to get a sense of their qualifications?

Thanks so much!

Love,

Sara

You might try calling Mr. Portney's office and ask for a recommendation for someone closer to you.

[Guest gwenthlian]

In my experience, though im sure there are better ways of doing it, it was basically trial and error. Where I live english is not the first language of most so that narrowed my options but I just chose the first therapist I could get to and set up an appointment. It turned out she knew very little about gender and basically we werent getting anywhere so i asked her to suggest another. She came up with a name, booked an appointment and I tried him. Turned out he was a sexist pig so that was a no.

Eventually I got refered to my current psych, a gender specialist, and she is perfect. All in all this took several months of rather stressfull work but at the end of the day it worked out so.. I guess the moral of the story is dont do what I did

[Guest sarathompson]

I guess the moral of the story is dont do what I did

Good advice! At least things worked out in the end, so it could have been worse!

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll let y'all know how it goes.

Love,

Sara

[Guest sarathompson]

Had my first session with a therapist on Tuesday and let me tell you, it was amazing! It felt so good to be able to talk to somebody who understands what I'm going through. After weeks of nervousness, apprehension and outright fear, I really do think this was the right decision. Thanks everybody for the advice!

Love,

Sara

[Guest Donna Jean]

Had my first session with a therapist on Tuesday and let me tell you, it was amazing! It felt so good to be able to talk to somebody who understands what I'm going through. After weeks of nervousness, apprehension and outright fear, I really do think this was the right decision. Thanks everybody for the advice!

Love,

Sara

Wonderful!

All of the anxiety leading up to it and then the realization of just how great it really was!

Is is an amazing thing, though....isn't it?

You are going in the right direction, Sweetheart.....

I wish you continued happiness as you explore your inner self! No telling what you'll find in there!.....lol

Way to go, Girlfriend

HUGGS!

Donna Jean

[Paula ult]

Had my first session with a therapist on Tuesday and let me tell you, it was amazing! It felt so good to be able to talk to somebody who understands what I'm going through. After weeks of nervousness, apprehension and outright fear, I really do think this was the right decision. Thanks everybody for the advice!

Love,

Sara

I am a bit late with this but congrats, i remember my first session and how relieved i was after it was over.

You got a good start hon just keep things moving forward at each session.

HUGS!

Paula