Psychotherapy: Trans*ident – psychotherapeutic statements (“expert opinions”)
Statements/expert opinions for trans*identical people
People who are trans* (transident, transgender, transsexual, gender fluid, non-binary, diverse) need one in Austria
- psychotherapeutic OR psychological
- AND specialist opinion
before they can start hormone therapy or body modification measures to match their desired gender. The Austrian treatment recommendations provide for this. A change in marital status is usually only possible with these statements.
The path of opinions and expert opinions in Austria
- As a trans person, you need accompanying psychotherapy over a period of several months. If someone is currently depressed or is suffering from serious dangers or other stresses, then a weekly session can also be useful. This psychotherapy is everywhere in Austria (and therefore ethically questionable, because psychotherapy should always be voluntary), but it IS absolutely provided for by the current guidelines, guidelines and health insurance companies. In Austria, this procedure is shorter and more trans* friendly than in Germany. Therefore, do not be alarmed if you read different information on German websites.
- After several months, the psychotherapist can then write a psychotherapeutic statement in which he/she confirms that he/she believes that the person is transgender (this is where the diagnosis: “F64.0 transsexualism” is important). This diagnosis is also given for people who experience themselves as gender fluid, non-binary, agender or polygender.
- This statement is then sent to a psychiatrist of your choice, who will prepare the specialist medical report. With this, the marital status can then be changed and YOU can start with hormonal measures.
- For further surgical and body-modifying measures (at the earliest one year after the start of hormone therapy) a) another current clinical-psychological OR psychotherapeutic opinion and b) a psychiatric check-up and opinion are required
- Psychological or psychotherapeutic support is recommended throughout the process.
children and young people
These recommendations for the treatment process only apply to people from the time of admission
the age of majority, also for adults with trans* gender or gender dysphoria. Children and young people have special needs, which is why there are their own and very individual ways and recommendations.
Documentation: “Trans*: Who determines my gender?”
The film documents the German situation, which is more complicated than the Austrian way. There, courts decide whether the change of name and gender is possible.
Author: Florian Friedrich
psychotherapist
(Logotherapy and Existential Analysis)