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Trans Support and Gender Therapist UK?

Discussion in 'Gender Identity and Expression' started by CamN15, Nov 8, 2016.

  1. CamN15

    Regular Member

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    Quick question(s):

    Does anyone have suggestions for good face-to-face support available in the UK?

    And has anyone seen a gender therapist, and if so how did you go about doing so? NHS?

    Are there any alternative counselling services that people found useful, even if not strictly tailored to support transgender individuals?

    Thank you for any replies.
     
  2. falconfalcon

    falconfalcon Guest

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    Hey :slight_smile:

    I dunno, I'm stateside, but I'm sure there is something. I would hope in addition to therapists you might also consider a support group?

    I hope you get a better reply than mine. If not at worst I can look up a stateside therapist I think has some good stuff to say and ask them for connections in the UK :slight_smile:

    Take care!! :slight_smile:
     
  3. CamN15

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    @falconfalcon Thank you for your response. I am currently trying to find a support group. Hope everything is ok stateside...
     
  4. AaronV

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    I think you should definitely check out Alex Bertie's videos on YouTube. He's a transguy from the UK and I think he has made several videos on how to find/get referred to a gender clinic and has also talked about his appointments there.
    From what I remember (I watched those videos ages ago) you need a referral from your GP for a gender therapist and it should be covered by the NHS but might take some time. Don't quote me on this though. ^^
     
  5. Kal

    Kal
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    The provisioning for transgender support is actually quite low and incredibly mysterious. I tried finding a counsellor / therapist that specialised in gender identity and only found one in my local area (she turned out to be quite inexperienced and rubbish so that's probably not helpful). My GP didn't know what to suggest. I had myself referred to the GIC because I came to terms with it on my own and want to medically transition. However, I'm certain this service provides counselling and doesn't require you to actually transition (or at least express that you want to). The waiting list is...13 months for the first appointment. Needless to say I've decide to go private but basically, that would mean that you would have to wait a year before seeing someone.

    On the support side of things, there are regional support groups and those can be found on Facebook or via an internet search. I haven't sought this out myself mainly because I'm a very private person and my local area is very very tight knit. So you may want to find a group in a different town or city if you're like me. Good luck!
     
  6. Chloe

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  7. Aberrance

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    Gender therapists would have to be sought out to find one near you and I'm not sure but you may have to pay for it. The generic 'therapy' for trans people in the UK is to be referred to a GIC (gender identity clinic) and that takes a year at the least although they do run therapy sessions there in either groups or 1-1. The GIC in London is at charing cross hospital if that's anywhere near you (Hammersmith tube stop). Speaking about the above users post, tavistock is the under 18s GIC so if you are that age I'd try to get a referral there.

    I did manage to find a trans support group near me which provided 1-1 therapy but that's just a case of finding one locally. Im sure in London you'll be able to find a couple if you spend a while looking things up.
     
  8. CamN15

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    Thank you all for your replies! I appreciate them so much. Really helped clear things up. They are long waiting lists though - wasn't expecting that...