Family counselling

[piperfan]

Greetings all you lovely people

Comments

[sokar]

I tried to to the same thing but I couldn't get my mother to agree to family counselling. She said there was no way she would discuss our private business with a stranger. I hope you have more luck.

In my experience you will most probably be asked to pay for this kind of therapy yourself, unless you live within a PCT that is not in debt or you are on something like HSA or BUPA. The Gender Trust or even your local gay helpline can often recommend a trans-friendly counsellor or look at http://www.pinktherapy.com/, a lot of them do sliding scale fees if you are on a low income.

[piperfan]

Thanks, that link looks promising. Although my mother might think I'm deliberately trying to find a "biased" counsellor if I find one that's trans-friendly! Can't win, eh?

[nobmouse]

I took my parents along to the counsellor my GP referred me to when I first tried to get help for gender problems. My parents seemed okay with the idea, most likely because it would give them a chance to talk me out of doing anything drastic. In the end, it's helped them come to terms with the fact that what I am won't change and trying to stop my transition would do only harm.

In that respect, the counselling (I think it went on for 2-3 weeks in total) worked a treat.

[piperfan]

Sounds like you got a good result with the counselling. I hope that I'll be able to say the same. Thanks for your comment!

[nobmouse]

Yeah, it was a good result. Sometimes having someone there to help people talk about what's hurting them most works wonders, not only for clearing the air but also for helping people to realise that their fears are shared by others and can be worked out.

Good luck if you try it.

[sermoa]

You could start by phoning the Gender Trust, explain your situation and where you live ... they're pretty helpful and likely to find you something.

Good luck to both you and your family.

[piperfan]

Thank you. I may very well give them a call.