Following on from my request for people's experiences with GI Units, another useful survey which might be helpful to people would be of counsellors who have experience of transgenderism.
So, if you have any experience of counselling from somebody in the UK, please let us know of your experiences and who you went to. Did they help you with whatever problem you discussed with them - for instance, coming out, counselling with your partner, helping you to understand your feelings about yourself. Let us know the name of any counsellors you have seen and your location so that other people seeking help in this way have an idea of who to see and (possibly) who to avoid.
I found my counsellor on the Pink Therapy pages based on location and experience. So far she has been brilliant but as I have only had a couple of sessions it has mostly been me unburdening myself. I am impressed that she asks good questions to guide the conversation but doesn't have anyway a judgemental view or direction of travel. I have always been to the sessions as the real me (Chrissy) and she was brilliant even though I was super nervous.
I have found comparative comments the most useful as I don't know or understand how my experience compares to that of others. It has been incredibly illuminating and has made me appreciate my long suffering partner more.
I find it so much better than trying to talk things through with friends as she has real experience in the area. It showed from the start as she addressed many of the issues that I am struggling with in her intro email before we had really spoken. I will see how we go before I make any recommendations but for me it is the best thing that I have done since I started to talking to people on this website and began to realise that I'm transgender not transvestite and that takes me down a different path.
The other thing I have noticed is that having an outlet for these conversations has transformed the way I interact with my friends as I no longer need to talk about the gender stuff as much unless they ask (which they do) but I can be more normal in that regard. I know that not everyone can afford it but if you can its worth it.
Hi Chrissy,
Thanks for your input, very useful to hear such a positive experience.
Would you mind sharing your connsellor's name and any contact details so that anybody else from your area who is seeking an understanding and non-judgemental counsellor can contact her.
Thank you
Carol xxx
Hi Everyone, I saw a really good private counsellor called Marion Lowden when I came out last year. She was really supportive, professional, approachable and well informed about trans issues. She works from home just outside Chesterfield in Derbyshire. I gather that her caseload is quite large but she is worth a bit of a wait I would say. Her website is: http://www.mlowden.com
This post was edited by Former Member at July 28, 2012 11:10 AM BSTNo anybody can do it Nell - instead of just putting www.myweblink.com - use the full url instead ie. http://www.myweblink.com
PS that link goes nowhere as it was just made up lol)