Where is everyone, (therapist experiences)

Hi, yes I have a therapist and talk about my cross dressing. Also with my previous therapist. Overall the feedback that we need to accept this within ourselves and not be too hard on ourselves.

I’ve seen a therapist to address deep depression following a divorce. My cross dressing came up (after trying to avoid the topic for three sessions). I was so filled with shame that I could barely say the words, but my psychologist simply smiled and remarked, “It’s not a crime you know.” I really wasn’t very cooperative or fully honest even with my psychologist… I was afraid of admitting that I really wanted to dress and experience life as a woman. I regret not taking advantage of the freedom to speak and possibly explore this part of myself with professional help.

Went to counseling just before and during Covid "PANDAMNIT". Single and couples. Both helpful, also attended both in Gimger mode occasionally. No longer seing Counselor, but wife seeing own still.

Hi Evie, I don't have a therapist, the only people i talk to about my crossdressing life are the girls on here, I'm in the closet to my wife so i can't talk to her about it, she has said on many times she doesn't understand why some men want to dress up like women so i don't think it would be wise to come out to her, I'm just a crossdresser and I'm not sure about transitioning i think I'm a bit too old to think about taking that step X

Hugs Rozalyn X

Kim, don' be afraid to fully come out to your therapist. They may be able to help you being comfortable as Kim and expressing your true feminine self.
. Cassie

Evie, go to a therapist and open up to all you are feeling. I went to a therapist a few times, but for me I am comfortable where I am. All mt counseling now is here at CDH and sharing with all you wonderful girls.

. Cassie

I have a lot of respect for the profession but never made use of it. I was threatened with needing one when my mom caught me as a young teen. Maybe that’s given me the mindset that I’d be admitting being sick if I went. I think it’s like anything else in life, if you’re not coping, not adjusting, not able to live happily then there’s something there that you can explore in therapy.

I should add that my 1960s mom changed and grew in understanding along with the bulk of leading edge Liberal America, not that I came out to her.

I've been to several therapists over time, and talked about my crossdressing.  I'm happy to say that I graduated therapy.  I accepted my crossdressing.

Cassie

I really feel my therapist is my ally in the sense that there is no judgement and she is primarily a listening post for for me.  I think we could all use that.....

Hugs

Gabriela

I feel the same way - I'm so much more comfortable with myself now that I have someone to share with. My wife and I share a lot but this is still too much for her at times.

Cassie, my time in therapy was close to a quarter century ago.  I did benefit from other aspects of therapy, but I missed the opportunity to be fully honest about my cross dressing and gender identity.   Even looking back at that time and the things my therapist was trying to help me accept does today lend some beneficial perspective.

I realize for most of my life I have lived in fear of being Trans.   But I assumed being trans was one thing…full transition into life as a woman, complete with HRT and GRS.   Given my age, stature, family considerations and lingering doubts, I have come to understand I can live my life based on what works for me.   Although I hate the expression “living my truth”, I am.  In my case, the truth is ambiguous, and that is ok too.

Evie,
I have never considered going to therapy. I have always been excited about dressing since really young (3 year old). I ‘knew’ I needed to hid when I got older, and from 7 to 28 that is exactly what I did. But it never felt wrong for me, only that I knew others would not accept it, and see me an odd.

At 28 my wife found out and since then I have had the opportunity to dress at home full time and to underdress the rest of the time (my wife has been very tolerant and accepting).

But Ive never felt that there was something wrong with me. I don’t think that I need therapy, but I do think the rest of society does!
🙂
Hugs
Christine

I have been in several group therapy settings all sponsored by LBGT. I found it much more helpful sharing with other cds than even the therapist who is supportive. The best thing about group sessions is that you make friends to do things with in the community. We have all met up for dinners and outings to events together outside of the sessions. This is my recommendation for what its worth

A good therapist and a supportive network of other cds  helps a lot, especially now with the growing negative attention out there. It helps with accepting ourselves, which I think is key.

When I lived on the west coast I worked with a therapist for many years.  I was hiding it and didn’t dress a lot so it wasn’t the main focus of our work but it helped to have someone tell me that it wasn’t wrong.

After relocating to the east coast we continued to keep in touch and do remote sessions. He has known me for more than 30 years. After I didn’t have to hide anymore, I sent him a makeover photo from an email address he would recognize with just “guess who.”  He didn’t recognize me! We had a good laugh about it.

On a future west coast visit we plan on doing some sessions en femme, should be interesting!

Bottom line, therapy is helpful. One thing, though, is I’ve found that having occasional couples sessions with your individual therapist can help explain things to your SO  because they know you, but since that’s your therapist, your SO can start to feel like it’s two against one, so it’s something to have conversations about.