Need Help! Please?

[Guest Chris_S]

Ok, so I'm REALLY new in here. I don't know that much of anything (probably just the basics) and I have some questions regarding GT, transitioning and stuff...Alright than, I'm FTM. I'm pre-everything. I'm from California and was hoping someone that's from Cali as well could help out, (or is familiar of California's laws) since I don't exactly know all the legal stuff.

So I have been looking at my options, on how I should come out to my parents/family. I either give them a letter that I have been writing or wait to give them a letter and go to a Therapist first. But my question to you guys is, how much does a Therapist cost? I have some money but was saving that for T. So another question is, in the state of California is it required to go to a Therapist first to get your prescription of T? Because if it's not I rather just skip the GT and go straight to a Doc. (since seeing a GT might be to expensive, don't have a job or anything). Also, has anyone ever heard of Project S.T.A.R.? (supporting transgender access to resources) is a program of Family Health Centers of San Diego. I was inform that that's where you could see someone to give you T. Supposedly you just call, get an appointment, see a Doc, get some lab work done, and then they send you with your T. So was wondering if that's possible without ever seeing a Therapist? Has anyone been to or heard of this program? The guy that I was talking to told me that a Doctor could just sign a form and your license would be change from FTM. But do you need a Therapist or Doctor note to change the gender in your SS and other documents? I know that you need top surgery to change the gender in your SS, but in order to get top surgery do you need to have seen a GT? I'm asking because I'm the type of person that likes to have everything planned out before I dive into something. So to sum it all up, in the state of California is it required to see a GT to transition in any aspect of it?

Well hopefully my questions are ok for this part of the forum. Again I'm new here, so I'm sorry if I messed up. I really do hope someone can help me out here with any info they have. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Chris

[Carolyn Marie]

Chris, I can answer some of your questions, but not all. Here goes.

1. Therapy costs can vary a lot. Assuming you have no insurance that will cover it, its probably $100-150 per hour. My G.T. charges $100 if you pay cash. That's really a guestimate though. Some government subsidized clinics probably charge less.

2. Whether you need an HRT letter or not is not a legal issue at all. Its part of the Harry Benjamin Institute Standards of Care, and its only a guidelines. Most doctors ask for a letter, but not all.

3. You don't need to be seeing a therapist or be on HRT or have surgery to change your name in California. I don't think they even care what your reason is, as long as you aren't trying to hide from creditors or the law. Its a relatively simple process. Forms and instructions are on line. Requirements for Social Security are more complicated. Its been discussed in the forums before, but I don't recall the details.

4. I've never heard of the STAR program.

If you're in the Los Angeles area I can be more specific about a few things. Please send me a PM.

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Chris_S]

Chris, I can answer some of your questions, but not all. Here goes.

1. Therapy costs can vary a lot. Assuming you have no insurance that will cover it, its probably $100-150 per hour. My G.T. charges $100 if you pay cash. That's really a guestimate though. Some government subsidized clinics probably charge less.

2. Whether you need an HRT letter or not is not a legal issue at all. Its part of the Harry Benjamin Institute Standards of Care, and its only a guidelines. Most doctors ask for a letter, but not all.

3. You don't need to be seeing a therapist or be on HRT or have surgery to change your name in California. I don't think they even care what your reason is, as long as you aren't trying to hide from creditors or the law. Its a relatively simple process. Forms and instructions are on line. Requirements for Social Security are more complicated. Its been discussed in the forums before, but I don't recall the details.

4. I've never heard of the STAR program.

If you're in the Los Angeles area I can be more specific about a few things. Please send me a PM.

Carolyn Marie

Thank you Carolyn for responding back.

Do u happen to know how long it usually takes a Therapist to prescribe HRT? Just to know how many days i would have to go and thus allowing me to know how much money I would need to spend.

No, I'm from the San Diego area.

Too bad you can't recall the requirements for SS, still thank you for your help

-Chris

[Carolyn Marie]

Do u happen to know how long it usually takes a Therapist to prescribe HRT? Just to know how many days i would have to go and thus allowing me to know how much money I would need to spend.

The SoC says 12 sessions, or roughly three months, but again, that's only a guide. Some will provide a letter after just 3-4 sessions, others wait longer. It depends on how sure they are about your readiness, understanding of all the issues, and sometimes internal policies. For example, the G.T.'s at the center I go to don't believe in letters at all. They decided they neither need nor want to be "gatekeepers." They just wait until the patient him/herself is sure they are ready, and then they help make the referral. Easy squeezy!

No, I'm from the San Diego area.

Too bad you can't recall the requirements for SS, still thank you for your help

I'll see what I can find on the SS issue and get back to you.

Carolyn Marie

[Carolyn Marie]

Too bad you can't recall the requirements for SS, still thank you for your help

I'll see what I can find on the SS issue and get back to you.

Carolyn Marie

I'm baaack!

I found just the thing to answer your question. http://www.tsroadmap.com/reality/social-security.html

Good luck, hon.

[Guest Chris_S]

I'm baaack!

I found just the thing to answer your question. http://www.tsroadmap.com/reality/social-security.html

Good luck, hon.

Oh, wow this great. thank you! This means the world to me. THANK YOU!!

-Chris