Happy. Content, yet still moving forward.

You might also want to look for a Renaissance group.  They welcome folks at every point of the spectrum.   Hugs,   Charlize

I decided to see a therapist when the questioning became too much for me to handle on my own; when I was realizing I was doing things to be feminine and didn’t know what that meant—and why I felt so comfortable doing more and more.   You’re aware of my story in some part, I hadn’t experienced crippling anxiety and depression like many do (including my eldest) but my thoughts were in this place that was so different and I needed to talk to someone who could ask the probing questions. I couldn’t think to burden my wife with this and I felt like I needed to be able to give her some answers instead of a bag of “I don’t knows”.   I wouldn’t put my therapist down as an outright gender therapist, she is not a specialist, but I believe she has allowed me to process my thoughts and provoked much for me to chew on. I made the decisions for each step forward, including hormones, but she has given me the space to verbally spar with myself to come to my own resolutions.   At the end of the day, the work is all on us. A therapist of any kind is worth their salt when they can help guide your thoughts, not tell you what to think or who or what you are. And there should be nothing scary about seeing a therapist. You’re just there to talk.

Happy Father’s day  

Talking here has been therapy enough for me so far, but I have always thought that I might need some sort of professional help at some stage. It actually intrigues me a little bit how eeeeeasy it seems for most of you just do go right ahead, see a gender therapist, get on the hormone train, pass in public, arrange surgery etc. I'm too gutless to even see my normal doctor to ask for a referral!   My journey runs as slow as treacle. That's actually okay because I stay within my comfort zone, but it is still evolving. Just like until recently I had never considered adopting a femme name but now I am, at least to myself and one significant other. I am also thinking more and more about professional help. As mentioned I do not have the confidence to broach my gender issues with my family doctor, mainly because of a fear of rejection. Even seeking support from a local LGBTQIA+ group is problematic in that they primarily focus on youth. Just for something to do, today I did a search and found a clinic in my capital city which exclusively sees trans patients without a referral. However, it seems to cater for people seeking hormone therapy as their primary need, and nothing beyond that. It seems like a 'rubber stamp' facility.   My questions: What is the 'normal' path for y'all to seek professional help? If I went to the facility that I just mentioned, I would be using that doctor as a de-facto gender therapist who might then refer me to someone more specialized. Or should I just put my big girl's blouse on and go through my family doctor? Probably more importantly, at what point did y'all decide that you needed professional help?  

Do you have a favorite pet who always does or did bring you joy and comfort when you needed it most?

Grateful, happy, two best friends, joy.

Emotional courage is the willingness to feel – to open yourself up to experience the unpleasant emotions. It's about doing what matters, following your heart and intuition, and aligning yourself with your values in the face of painful and difficult emotions instead of resorting to what's most convenient or comfortable.

Love, just another four letter word.

Please don't attack me, but if I had such a wish, I would wish I was never Trans. It certainly has not made my 7 decades of life better, has caused me so much pain and cost me the love of my life. And I do not like electrolysis....   Hugs,   Allie

Tri-Ess or Society for the Second Self is one that comes to mind https://www.triess.org/,   also, your nearest LGBTQ Community Center would be a good source https://www.lgbtqcenters.org/LGBTCenters   I am over in California and do not know your state well enough to come up with others.

Physical touch - need like air, water.

Zoom gathering currently underway: Topic: Trans Groups Zoom Meeting Time: Jun 16, 2024 11:00 AM Australia/Melbourne Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82298451366?pwd=BaMSCijrfzzoS0K2QbUbJeCLvw8SLL.1 Meeting ID: 822 9845 1366 Passcode: 904900

I have been looking for some groups for married people where one is a CD. That is how I stumbled onto this site. If you know of any actual groups Please do let me know. Thank you.

Kia ora, peach fuzz is often "read" as feminine, as adult cis-men don't have it.  However, I literally name and count every single facial hair that grows in ... so I'd go with whatever gives you euphoria.