Specialists - Shining or Shameful?
What are your experiences with meeting specialists in the field of gender identity disorder? What are the qualities of a good specialist? What are your experiences with different psychiatrists, hormone specialists, surgeons and therapists? Have you felt listened to and understood? Have your needs been met? If not, what went wrong and how could this have been avoided? Please share your experiences with us on this Blog.
posted by Transgender Explored at
12:32 PM
12 Comments:
I have seen 2 different psychiatrists. The first one was private and he was OK but I felt like I got a better service from the NHS one. Also I felt more supported with the NHS as I could get back in touch or arrange another appointment if I wanted. Plus it was free!
I live near Bournemouth and have been to a screening clinic in Bristol (very good), saw a private endocrinologist in London (not very good) and have just had my 2nd appointment at the Claybrook Centre, in London (good).
The most frustrating part is not knowing who you are going to see and having to meet lots of different people!
Thank you for your comments. We appreciate that there is a diverse range of specialists and therefore navigating through the different professionals can be a challenging experience!
We would welcome any suggestions or recommendations of particular specialists in order to assist others in trying to access the support they need.
I am having treatment from the Laurels in SW England and it's totally cool. My therapist is a transwoman and has been the best support anyone could want.
I have seen about 6 different doctors!
The best ones were definately Dr Dan Hodgson (Bristol) and Dr John Dean (The Laurels). Both were very easy to talk to and seemed genuinely interested in getting me the help I needed.
I found the surgeons and endocrinologists less helpful but I had my operation 6 weeks ago (still in agony!) but can't complain. All went according to plan!
I am a FTM and at Western Boys we talk about the good docs to see. Dr Dan Hodgson was very helpful and understanding and knew his stuff. Me and the other lads rate him as being really nice. He referred me to London and I was seen pretty quickly really so I was really chuffed. There are some good psychiatrists in London. Dr James Barrett was good and I am meeting one of the surgeons in the summer.
Claybrook Centre in London is very good. Things are a bit slow in terms of meeting everyone. I had to wait 6 months between appointments. But the team there are professional and very supportive. Dr Barrett and Dr Davies were the psych docs I saw. Waiting to meet the surgeon. I am pleased with everything so far, I am just so relieved that I am getting treatment at last!
I have seen people in Bristol too. Dr Andrew Levy was a hormone specialist who referred me to see Dr Harvey Rees who is a consultant psychiatrist. I saw both of them at the Bristol Royal Infirmary but I think that there is a gender clinic in Bristol somewhere else. I saw Dr Dan Hodgson (another consultant psychiatrist) at Grove Hospital. Both of the psychiatrists were really nice and within 6 months I was doing the RLE and at Charing Cross.
I've seen James Barrett at the Claybrook Centre in London and he was really good.
Is the Claybrook Centre the same place as Charing Cross? I went to CC and saw a few different people, they were all helpful. Was a bit worried about CC as some worrying stories from the past, but I saw Dr Barrett and he was very nice.
My friend has been to somewhere in Leeds too... dunno the names of the people but heard from the FTM that they were good.
Also Bristol clinic is good- approachable and friendly psychiatrists (Dr Harvey Reece and Dr Dan Hodgson). Was quite a long wait to see them and then another 5 months before going to CC.
Thank you Karly for the helpful feedback. It is actually Dr Harvey Rees who works in Bristol with Dr Dan Hodgson. Thank you for taking the time to contribute to our Blog!
I have recently completed 2 1/2 yrs transition with CX GIC with only praise of the service,all the clinicians are top notch. Mr Bellringer (genius Surgeon) performed my Op on Nov 2nd 2009 in 2 1/2 hrs no pain or complications
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