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Thank you. I wasn't saying it's difficult to find quality or reputable care. There is actually plenty of it available both here and abroad. Just that informed consent clinics aren't necessarily a good thing and the process at times seems somewhat unnecessarily protracted but conced that to act from an abundance of caution is in our best interests.

Dear Phoebe, Highly recommend you ask for referrals from *trusted* people you know well, and be prepared to make the trip, sometimes overseas. This is very specialized care. Wouldn't choose a doctor just because they are local. Suggest you ask our members where they got their care. You'll see the same doctors' names coming up again and again. As for therapists, if you don't feel comfortable and couldn't resolve it with a calm discussion, try another therapist. Hope this helps. 6ours in Sisterhood, Monica

There is no right or wrong way to transition. The whole process is simply a matter of us learning to accept ourselves and take the steps needed so that we are most at peace. It is part of what makes everybody's journeys so different. There will always be parrallels but none of us have the same starting place or finish point.

I'm still very new on my journey but so far I'm seeing a mixed bag here in the US. What I've found so far is there seem to be a number of gender clinics skirting the informed concent laws who will provide HRT services and maybe more but if you want your insurance to cover it you need the blessing of a psychiatrist to write an official letter of diagnosis. Also laws vary from state to state so somestates these clinics can working this others not. I've also read a few stories about inconsistency or quality of care at some. I won't mention who or how they failed their clients as I could only relate what I read and surely lack all the facts. But from what I gather so far getting that letter here can sometimes still be a daunting task in itself. So much depends on the subjective opinion of the therapist. Yet I think it's better to know someone is there to help us realize if we're making a huge mistake or not. I just wish it was a bit faster and easier. Maybe less out of the hands of others.