finding reliable medical practitioners

[tamara]

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Now back to Tamara's post:

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?  

[Disheartenedmom]

Hi, I am nowhere near Denver so have no recommendations on doctors other than I strongly urge you to be very diligent in vetting that person before they meet your child. One common thread you will find here is that doctors/therapists have both encouraged and facilitated some of our kids. Ask pointed questions about ROGD and what their thoughts are on it and their willingness to work on the underlying issues, whatever they may be, rather than to simply affirm. Good luck!

[candycigs]

There has been a lot posted about choosing the right therapist. Some recommendations have been:

-Older, 50+ is good ( someone who has a lot of experience is less likely to be caught up in the quick-to-confirm frenzy than a younger therapist who is more apt to buy in to this "modern" approach. An older therapist will also have experience with (or at least a working knowledge of) other social contagions in teen girls (ex. bulemia in the 80s-90s) so are more likely to recognize it for what it is.

-Do not choose a "Gender Identity Therapist"-A lot of therapist are building their careers on this profitable niche market. There is no certification or licensing or qualifications required to declare yourself a specialist in this brand new field. They will likely be quick to confirm and insist that you do the same.

-When looking for a therapist, send out emails to many different therapists asking point blank if they recognize the sudden spike in adolescent girls suddenly identifying as boys, and how do they explain the phenomenon. Ask if they see it as a possible social contagion. You will learn who you are dealing with by how they answer this question, I believe. You want a therapist who believes that girls start presenting as trans because they are anxious and/or depressed, not the other way around as trans-activists would have you believe.

We have just started with a 60+, male, old-school psychotherapist in Kansas City, Mo. My daughter adores him and its only been one meeting. They spent the first session exploring her subconscious through analyzing her dreams. Afterwards, she said "I want to see him every day!". It was a totally different approach than any of the other therapists shes had (she also suffers from anxiety, and was depressed for about a year--severly limiting her iphone time helped with that tremendously).

I will ask him if he knows anyone in Denver. Hes been around forever so he just might.

[candycigs]

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

[chebj064]

I have a 17 years old daughter who is determined to start hormone treatment once she's in college, and will try to have surgery asap. She changed her name to a boy's name when she was 14 years old, and I didn't realize how serious the problem was back then. Now I'm so worried, and I'm looking for a therapist in Washington DC area (including Maryland and Virgina), who can help me convince her to wait until later in her life to make such decisions.

[OptimisticMom]

I have a 17 years old daughter who is determined to start hormone treatment once she's in college, and will try to have surgery asap. She changed her name to a boy's name when she was 14 years old, and I didn't realize how serious the problem was back then. Now I'm so worried, and I'm looking for a therapist in Washington DC area (including Maryland and Virgina),  who can help me convince her to wait until later in her life to make such decisions.

I, too, need someone in DC. If anyone has a referral, could use one quick. Thx!

---

There has been a lot posted about choosing the right therapist. Some recommendations have been:

-Older, 50+ is good ( someone who has a lot of experience is less likely to be caught up in the quick-to-confirm frenzy than a younger therapist who is more apt to buy in to this "modern" approach. An older therapist will also have experience with (or at least a working knowledge of) other social contagions in teen girls (ex. bulemia in the 80s-90s) so are more likely to recognize it for what it is.

-Do not choose a  "Gender Identity Therapist"-A lot of therapist are building their careers on this profitable niche market. There is no certification or licensing or qualifications required to declare yourself a specialist in this brand new field. They will likely be quick to confirm and insist that you do the same.

-When looking for a therapist, send out emails to many different therapists asking point blank if they recognize the sudden spike in adolescent girls suddenly identifying as boys, and how do they explain the phenomenon. Ask if they see it as a possible social contagion. You will learn who you are dealing with by how they answer this question, I believe. You want a therapist who believes that girls start presenting as trans because they are anxious and/or depressed, not the other way around as trans-activists would have you believe.

We have just started with a 60+, male, old-school psychotherapist in Kansas City, Mo. My daughter adores him and its only been one meeting. They spent the first session exploring her subconscious through analyzing her dreams. Afterwards, she said "I want to see him every day!". It was a totally different approach than any of the other therapists shes had (she also suffers from anxiety, and was depressed for about a year--severly limiting her iphone time helped with that tremendously).

I will ask him if he knows anyone in Denver. Hes been around forever so he just might.

Hi ... would you be open to sharing the name and number of the therapist in Kansas City?

[chebj064]

Hi OptimisticMom, do you know if there's a support group in DC area? People around us, her teachers at school, her friend's parents, our family doctor... are all supporting her, using her boy's name, and refer to her as "him".  I showed some concern about her use of binder during her yearly checkup at the doctor's office, and the doctor immediately asked me to step out of the room.  It's overwhelming.

[Marge Bouvier Simpson]

Hi chebj064, have you registered over at https://www.parentsofrogdkids.com/ ? The wonderful volunteer who runs that site is the person matching people up by geographical area so that they may meet if they like. If you follow that link, you will see a red banner at the top of the page. Click on the red banner to start the process of finding other parents in your area.

As far as the doctor goes, if I were you, I would never go back to that doctor. I would also print out the school packet over at transgendertrend and have a meeting with the school counselor, teachers and principal.

Keep us posted, and welcome to the forum. I'm sorry you have a reason to be here but glad you found us. Best wishes.

[chebj064]

Thank you very much, Marge. I registered at the parentsofrogdkids.com, and submitted the form for joining the support group. I'll keep you posted on any progress.

[Willfred]

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.