About Natasha Wallis Expertise If someone is experiencing problems with their gender and wishes to develop coping strategies to move forward, stay still or cope without changing gender, I should be able to provide some help. Also anyone who needs advice on how to pass, transition, have surgeries and live successfully as a woman will get valid sensible advice
Experience I am a postoperative ts woman who has been involved in personal development, motivation, life coaching and mentoring all my life. I have had extensive FFS and SRS surgery and am a senior moderator on some well known support sites. Designed and led "Why me? Am I transsexual" and Employer/employee Diversity Training Workshops.
Publications Msn & Yahoo Support Groups on matters relating to transsexual people.
Education/Credentials BA Biology; Personal Motivation Trainer; Qualified Mediator. Mentor
Awards and Honors Small Business Award Winner 1995
Question QUESTION: I have been having gender issues for 45 yrs. (MTF) I live in western Ia., and I cant seam to find a gender counseling or suport group here. I am tired of living like this and need help badely. there was aperantly one near me but they seam to be closed. what can I do? I took the test and yes; I was very honest with the test and the results even scared me a bit. I was not expecting them to be so hight and the responce was to get help imediatly. I know this has been hard for all of us to deal with, even me. I was disowned by my famely and friends I have tried to talk with them with no help. I have been perty much alone for the last 25 yrs and I cant take much more. gone to a reg phy and that was a mistake. put me on welbutern (sp?) and that only increased my feelings of confusion
I just want to feel like the real me and normal
please help I dont know were else to turn
ANSWER: Hi Kristin
I know how you will be feeling all alone but do not fear,there are thousands of women like you moving forward with determination and with mutual support networks in place.
I am a UK resident so forgive me if I have this wrong but I am assuming you live in Western Los Angeles?
Pick up your courage and get contacting them and if you have any more questions, by all means share these with me. I did all of this at the age of 48, five and a half years ago and I am so glad I did it.
Wellbutrin is an anti-depressant and should help to control the anxiety but unless you seek counselling and begin to transition it will be just like putting a band aid on a severed leg, it is of little long term use unless you address the gender issues. It is a pity your GP didn't put you on female hormones eh? They might have done you a great deal more good !
Good luck and big hugs - and please keep me informed.
Natasha
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QUESTION: Natasha
I am sorry but it is Iowa (LOL ya right) the hart-land of the United States (the Bible Belt)these people are friendly to you if you are normal by thier standerds sorry for the confusion
Answer Hi again Kristin
Iowa - I do believe the 50s musical The Music Man was set in Iowa - I was in an amateur dramatic society presentation of it (or maybe it was The pyjama Game?)/
Either way, it looks as if you are not terribly well served for face to face help in that State.
The link I gave you only has 2 therapists listed:
Des Moines
Susan McIntyre, M.S.W. ,A.C.S.W.
CENTRAL IOWA GENDER INSTITUTE
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
faithmcintyre@aol.com
(515) 282-3469
Wichita
Dale R. Neaman, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist
240 N Rock Road, Ste. 303
Wichita, Kansas 67206
(316) 684-3010
Now, I would not give up. Why not give those two contacts a ring and see if they might do remote counselling via the phone? When I saw my gender psych in the UK it involved a 200 mile trip to London though I only needed to do it every 3-4 months.
One of those therapists might still be able to suggest some peer support groups for you.
I Googled the words "transsexual iowa" and found quite a few resources available and since you know the geography better than me, I suggest you try the same but do not forget to read all those websites i gave you before. And to help more, here are a few more for you:
Newly Forming Tri-Ess Chapter
Kappa Phi Iota
Serving the Iowa area.
Help us build our newest Tri-Ess Chapter in beautiful Iowa.
If you are a crossdresser and have had no interaction with other crossdressers
or you are still in hiding this is the place for you. There are others out there.
We want to help you feel more comfortable with yourself.
Website: http://www.geocities.com/kappaphiiota2002/
.
Central Illinois Gender Assoc.
P.O. Box 1925
Clinton, IA 52733-1925
Elena Graves (319) 242-4405
E-mail: elenamae@juno.com
Social & support group for Crossdressers, Transsexuals.
Meetings are the 2nd Sunday of each month,
either in Bloomington or Peoria.
.
Iowa Artistry
P.O. Box 11093
Cedar Rapids, IA 52410
Support group for trangendered folks. MAGGIE affiliate.
Bi-monthly newsletter http://www.transgender.org/ioar
.
QCAD Group
P.O. Box 1534
Davenport, IA 52809
Phone: 319-323-5492
E-mail: QCTGGroup@aol.com
Transgender support group for Eastern Iowa and also parts of Western Illinois.
.
Quad-City Society For Sexuality Education
1236 W. 8th
Davenport, IA 52802
Phone: (319) 324-6941 from 6pm - 9pm
Social support group for all transgenders.
Meets 1st Sunday of the month at 6 pm.
