Therapists, Good, Not so Good and Ugly
Via a comment I shared a not so good younger in my life. However part of my health is oani and other of you as well as me. I find most fine but not so in gender identity issues. Desiring to be supportive is not enough; Many approved and identified by insurance groups have little experience or understanding in the area. Would like to hear from others...
Jessica C
Comments
Finding a therapist is a two-way street
I know what you mean. It's really not enough to find someone who lists LGBTQ as one of their fields of expertise.
It's literally a two-way street. Once you've found someone with what look to be the necessary qualifications, look them up as much as possible. If you schedule a first appointment with them, make sure to have questions to ask.
Last year, I found a therapist who wasn't anywhere near me, but seemed to have all the right qualifications. I drove over an hour for my first appointment with her. She made me wait for my appointment. I had to pay upfront. She was almost aggressive in her questions. I didn't like her approach. She came across to me as a Lgbtq Therapist, and maybe a hint of anti-trans. I'm not sure.
Never went back. Never was contacted again by her.
Found another therapist. He's male, which bothered me at first. I got over it. He's pretty cool. He's even seeing me pro bono right now due to my unemployment and lack of health insurance.
Don't be afraid to change therapists if it's not working. I mean in terms of treatment. Not whether or not they're willing to sign off on a letter. You're there to get help. They're there to provide it. If it's not working, change it.
Two way street a long road...
Like you say I'm looking for good more that title; Hopefully when my provider changes in 2 months new possibilities will open up. Have a nice person, but not much help.
I do appreciate yours
JessieC
Jessica E. Connors
Jessica Connors
T-Competent Therapist/Pyschologist/Psychiatrist
I have not surfed around TG help &info sites in years, but many are interlinked. If you get to one you can then go to others, etc.
The one of the best info links I've bookmarked is: http://ai.eecs.umich.edu/people/conway/conway.html or Lynn Conway's homepage. She might have info on therapists or links to other sites with info. There are some national (US) trans support and advocacy groups that have local branches/contacts that should have therapist info for a local area.
Hope this helps. Keep searching, the truth is out there!
Hugs and Bright Blessings,
Renee
Thanks Renee ...
like the links and have been exploring
Jessie C
Jessica E. Connors
Jessica Connors
Therapists
Jessica,
As you know, I spent 30 yrs as a therapist and experience and qualifications are important. Check with any LGBT Community Center near you, They may have recomendations, or any T groups.
Beyond that, chemistry is incredibly important. In my career I had just a few patients where the chemistry was not there and that is so hard because I could see the patient struggle and be uncomfortable and make no progress but I could say nothing direct. One is never sure of the brittleness or fragility of the human person seeking help. Therefore, one more rejection could be tragic. In our first meeting, I always stressed this issue and gave lots of permission for the person to acknowledge poor chemistry between us and to request a referral without my feelings changing towards them. I found that this is not common amongst clinicians so I will stress it here. Good chemistry between client and therapist can overcome even some areas of weakness in the therapists experience, but its absence severely limits any healing.
Finally there is a Natl. Assoc . of LGBT Therapist.http://www.counseling.org/Resources/Competencies/ALGBTIC_Com...
Good Luck, Sweetie. luvu
Joani