finding reliable medical practitioners

[Crazytrain]

Hello,

I am looking for a therapist on Long Island for my 19 year old daughter who announced a year ago she was transgender.

I had bad experiences with her college therapist in Massachusetts because she was referred to the Fenway Clinic and they wanted to immediately start hormones. They also convinced her she wasn't trans enough and she insisted after meeting with them she needed to be moved to a boys dorm floor.  I had to pay an extra $2000 to provide a private room with a private shower.  Fenway told her to use the boys showers. UGH. 

She is home now from college and still speaking about hormones.  KM is a recent ROGD.  She has a history of anxiety, cutting, depression, dyslexia, low self esteem from learning disabilities, poor reaction to SSRI's, hospitalizations, bullying, hypothyroid, PCOS.    I was given 2 names. Shervin Shadianloo MD and Richard Pleak, MD.  I saw one comment on Dr. Pleak from a woman who stated felt pressured into hormones and surgery by Dr. Pleak and his staff and now regrets it.  I'm not sure about Dr. Shadianloo.  I saw that he wrote sections of textbooks about trans gender issues and he may be too gender affirming but I'm not completely sure of his opinions.  He did not have any reviews on any boards that I saw.

I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Thank you.

Do not use - peace of mind mental health counseling -Meryl Rinelli —— sje specializes in eating disorders and body image.... went to her and after 3 -45min sessions we were asked to affirm our daughter and turned my daughter totally against me - she wouldnt even look at me in the session- was last session but my D still talks of her and wants to go back - was horrifying - they are in Hauppauge and millerplace- stay away!

[boomer]

I have a fourteen-year old who started to have sudden onset gender dysphoria at age thirteen along with identifying from that time as a trans guy. My teen has a set of other issues as well, particularly anxiety attacks and depression. I would like to find a psychiatrist in the Denver metro area who could work with these other issues and consider whether to recommend antidepressants. A psychologist or analyst who would be committed to discussing possible non-medical ways of dealing with the dysphoria, depression, and anxiety would also be helpful. I am very concerned about what I have heard about hormones and surgeries being recommended to teens, and would like to avoid health care practitioners who would steer my teen in that direction. Does anybody know of reliable psychiatrists or other health care practitioners in the Denver metro area? On a broader note, what experiences have you all had with helping a trans identified teen with anxiety, depression, and gender dysphoria, and have you found medical practitioners who were committed to examining other avenues than referrals to clinics for hormones and surgeries?  

My fifteen year old daughter is going through the exact same thing with the exact same issues - anxiety and depression.  She also is low level autistic.  We are also in the Denver area.  Have you found someone you like?

[1worryG]

My 14 granddaughter is seeing a Trans person (LCPC) MtF. I feel that the puberty blockers are being pushed. My granddaughter enjoys seeing this therapist because she thinks she will be the ticket for puberty blockers=testosterone=top surgery.  I want her to quit seeing this person with the hopes of getting her head turned around, but don't know how to do this without being seen as an awful person.

I would guess that the therapist has to report that my granddaughter has gender dysphoria so insurance continues to pay her.

Any suggestions as to how I have her quit seeing this therapist who I think has an agenda without looking like a complete jerk?

[mom1211]

Feel free to tell the therapist one story as to why you cannot see them (sheduling conflicts, pediatrician requesting other evaluations or focus on other providers) and your granddaughter a different story (can't get an appt, scheduling conflicts)

[Marge Bouvier Simpson]

1worryG, are you your granddaughter's guardian or are her parents taking her to this therapist? If you are not her guardian, you'll have to somehow convince her parents to fire this therapist and find another. If your granddaughter is a legal adult age 18 or older (in the USA, not sure what age of majority is in other countries) then there is not much you can do but try to appeal to your granddaughter personally.

However, if you are your granddaughter's legal guardian, then you can fire the therapist for any reason or no reason at all. If you are the legal guardian, you have control over what therapist you take your granddaughter to (or what therapist you do not take her to). If you are able to fire this therapist and begin looking for another, as a general rule avoid "gender" therapists or anyone who is a transperson, as they typically move their patients toward transition rather quickly (as you have witnessed with the push to put your granddaughter on blockers).

[osojrb]

Dear all,
I am another distressed dad with a 14 years old adolescent with ROGD. Same as many, it was student, came with anxiety and depression, and we are terrified of starting chemical and hormonal treatments.
Does anyone know of a GD critical therapist in Florida in the West Palm Beach area?

[MAMANYC]

Any referrals in NYC? my 12 year old just told us she wants to a be a boy. Growing up she was always interested in boys and girls things (toys etc). Lately she keeps her hair short and wears t shirts and jeans or long shorts. She goes to an all girls school and a girl in her class (of 50 kids) just became FTM. She herself still likes american girl, etc. All of a sudden she tells me she wants to be a boy. The only kind of weird thing is she is very creative and draws her own graphic novels but mainly a male character. Recenltly she was complaining though to DH that there is only ONE female ninja in lego ninjago.
She was an easy toddler but is easily distracted in school. She does not meet criteria for ADHD but is close (we had her evaluated 3 years ago)/ . Also, she is a little immature for age/ her class. She has always been self conscious about showing skin and is terrified of going out without sunblock!
I really believe she is a girl. I dont want a therapist who will try to help her transition.

[LQG36]

I have a fourteen-year old who started to have sudden onset gender dysphoria at age thirteen along with identifying from that time as a trans guy. My teen has a set of other issues as well, particularly anxiety attacks and depression. I would like to find a psychiatrist in the Denver metro area who could work with these other issues and consider whether to recommend antidepressants. A psychologist or analyst who would be committed to discussing possible non-medical ways of dealing with the dysphoria, depression, and anxiety would also be helpful. I am very concerned about what I have heard about hormones and surgeries being recommended to teens, and would like to avoid health care practitioners who would steer my teen in that direction. Does anybody know of reliable psychiatrists or other health care practitioners in the Denver metro area? On a broader note, what experiences have you all had with helping a trans identified teen with anxiety, depression, and gender dysphoria, and have you found medical practitioners who were committed to examining other avenues than referrals to clinics for hormones and surgeries?  

My fifteen year old daughter is going through the exact same thing with the exact same issues - anxiety and depression.  She also is low level autistic.  We are also in the Denver area.  Have you found someone you like?

I have a 16 year old daughter having same issues. We are in a Denver area and I want to find a therapist ASAP. Have you found one in this area ? If so could you please share therapists name?

---

My daughters therapist just got back with me with a referral. I will PM you.

Could you please send me the referral too? I have a 16 year old daughter and need to find good therapist to help her with all this in Denver. Thank you!

[mom1211]

Any referrals in NYC? my 12 year old just told us she wants to a be a boy.  Growing up she was always interested in boys and girls things (toys etc). Lately she keeps her hair short and wears t shirts and jeans or long shorts.  She goes to an all girls school and a girl in her class  (of 50 kids) just became FTM.  She herself still likes american girl, etc.  All of a sudden she tells me she wants to be  a boy. The only kind of weird thing is she is very creative and draws her own graphic novels but mainly a male character.  Recenltly she was complaining though to DH that there is only ONE female ninja in lego ninjago.
She was an easy toddler but is easily distracted in school. She does not meet criteria for ADHD but is close (we had her evaluated 3 years ago)/ . Also, she is a little immature for age/ her class.  She has always been self conscious about showing skin and is terrified of going out without sunblock!
I really believe she is a girl.  I dont want a therapist who will try to help her transition.

I believe Sasha Ayad has a recommendation in NYC. You can contact her here for a list she keeps of recommended therapists: https://inspiredteentherapy.com/thanks/

[MAMANYC]

Any referrals in NYC? my 12 year old just told us she wants to a be a boy.  Growing up she was always interested in boys and girls things (toys etc). Lately she keeps her hair short and wears t shirts and jeans or long shorts.  She goes to an all girls school and a girl in her class  (of 50 kids) just became FTM.  She herself still likes american girl, etc.  All of a sudden she tells me she wants to be  a boy. The only kind of weird thing is she is very creative and draws her own graphic novels but mainly a male character.  Recenltly she was complaining though to DH that there is only ONE female ninja in lego ninjago.
She was an easy toddler but is easily distracted in school. She does not meet criteria for ADHD but is close (we had her evaluated 3 years ago)/ . Also, she is a little immature for age/ her class.  She has always been self conscious about showing skin and is terrified of going out without sunblock!
I really believe she is a girl.  I dont want a therapist who will try to help her transition.

thank you!!!!