Should I look for a therapist who focuses mainly on gender issues, or...

[Guest ~Cadence~]

Hi all, I have had a question eating at me since I came out (and came here) about my therapy situation.

I have had an awesome therapist for the past two years who has guided me through major depression and anxiety issues, and who got me the help I needed for my PTSD.

Now, the only issue left to really deal with is my gender dysphoria (which, incidentally, has gotten much much worse since accepting that it was there ) My therapist knows very little about trans issues, but has not indicated that she is unwilling to work with me on them. In her words, she "just wants to help me be happy."

Thanks all in advance for your thoughts!

-Jodi

[VickySGV]

My primary therapist was in there to get me clean of drug and alcohol addiction, and things got to a promising stage where he enlisted the help of a Gender Therapist colleague in the HMO. My HIPPA waivers as far as other Providers in the Health Plan were good as far as a GT reviewing my chart, and coaching my therapist on issues to explore. In a real sense my non-GT provider was mentored and reviewed, and I got referrals for HRT and eventually a single letter signed by 3 appropriately licensed medical personnel for my SRS. There is still no specific qualification or certifying board for Gender Therapists, although a large number of them do belong to a medical association such as World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) or similar. All Gender Therapists start out as garden variety licensed mental health care providers in their state or country.

What does your therapist think they are qualified for? No laws will be broken if you stick with your current therapist, and you could open the door to a new era of practice for them. They are Professionals though, and at some point may make a decision they are out of their depth, and will help you find another person. "It you and the therapist there baby!!!"

[Charlize]

I would certainly continue working with the therapist you have if it is working for you and for her. She may not have guided and helped others in the past but that was true for any therapist. They all had a first patient with gender issues. Talk to her about it and see how she feels. You might at some point want a referral to another therapist for any letter you may need but from what i've read why leave the person who has helped you. It may be that your depression was caused in part by gender issues anyway.

Hugs,

Charlize

[Guest AllisonRae]

Hi Jodi, I can really relate to your situation. I have been seeing my current counselor for 3 years now for the same issues, anxiety, depression and PTSD (due to mental abuse from my second wife). My counselor is great and we have a wonderful rapport. When I came to realize the truth about myself she was the first one I came out too. I am her first trans client and she has been fantastic. It was her advice that started me looking into starting HRT, which I do my intake exam with a transition therapist this Tuesday. Very excited about that. As for GD, it does get worse once you admit to yourself that you have it but at least with me, so many more things in my life finally make sense now and I have found much peace in that truth.

Hugs,

Allison

[Guest April Kristie]

Jodi, if something is working for you stick with it. If the therapist needs more schooling from a T person and can't offer you the empathy and structure you need moving forward, perhaps you also don't have the time to school them, you might need some help getting to a qualified GT. Then you might see a difference in how the GT can help you move forward. I know there were a lot of IF's there but I hope you see the point!

[Guest ~Cadence~]

So, I had a lovely conversation with my therapist tonight. She is going to study up!!

so... yay!