How long does counseling take when transgender?

"How long does counseling take when transgender?"

- Many, many, many sessions. I STILL see a gender therapist every 3 months and I'm post-op! I've been to gender therapists since I was 6, and I'm 17 now. So I can't exactly tell you how many until hormones since I had a case from early childhood.

There is no way to opt out of it.

"My friend is 21 now so the longer she waits the less effect the medication will have right.?"

At 21 as a biological male you have already reached the peak end of puberty. So technically it won't make much difference if she takes it now or several months, even a few years from now. The effects will probably be the same. Yes, earlier is better but the sessions are necessary. Transition is a long process.

The basics: http://www.tsfaq.info/

Gender therapists: http://www.drbecky.com/therapists.html

Download or send this PDF to her: http://www.wpath.org/uploaded_files/140/files/IJT%... That is what practically all doctors treating transgender/transsexual patients refer to.

If you need anything you can feel free to click on my profile and email me.

It all depends on the person. I'm female to male transgender and I've had more than 5 sessions with my therapist and have yet to get my letter for hormones. It's a different period of time for everyone, because you're therapist has to be sure that you are ready for hormone replacement therapy. It is not an easy process. Just tell your friend she just has to be patient and just know that she will one day be the woman she's been wanting to be her whole life.

If she is able to find a endo or trans clinic that follow the informed consent model, hormones could be only a couple weeks away. I would still go to a therapist for advise and counseling, even if you did not need their letter for HRT.

Best of luck to her.

it varies

expect no fewer than 6 sessions