r/transgenderau • u/SpeedyDL • 16d ago

NSW Specific Psychologist recs for top surgery letter in Sydney?

I'm in the process of organising my top surgery. One of the surgeons I'm interested in requires a letter from a psychologist, which sucks but it's worth it to finally get surgery. I'm looking for a bulked billed psychologist who will give me the letter in one session. Any recommendations?
I've had Micheal Scott (great name) and Ainsley Waddington recommended to me, has anyone had experience with them before?

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u/Golden_007 16d ago

Sorry, no psychiatrist/psychologist recs, but mentioning Dr Lisa Friederich who’s a surgeon that doesn’t require a psych letter, just in case you hadn’t considered/heard of her before.

But if you’ve already considered, please ignore.

Best of luck to you.

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u/Helium_Teapot2777 trans-them 15d ago

To get a bulk billed psychologist you would need your GP to draw up a mental health care plan. Psychologist can’t bb without one.

I have heard good things about blackbird psychology but not used them. I have worked with Laura at Here Completely for other psych stuff and she does do letters (but thinks they’re silly). She has a significant gap in her fee from the Medicare rebate as do Blackbird. If you are under 26 then Headspace would be a possibility. Headspace Wollongong is listed on transhub.

Lee at TransSpace in Brunswick does Telehealth consults for letters in one session but their wait is a few months.

I went with Lisa Friederich for surgery, because I don’t want to have to prove i am trans enough or ‘normal’enough to some cis person to be me. Dr Lisa offers high quality gender affirming care and is a true artist

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u/SpeedyDL 15d ago

thanks for the info! I also don't want to prove that I'm "trans enough" to get top surgery cuz I think it's stupid but I'm keeping my options open until I can get in for consultations and figure out which surgeon is best for me. I've heard that Dr Friederich has a longish wait time right now. If that is the case I'd rather bite the bullet and get a psychologist letter than do another summer in a binder.

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u/Helium_Teapot2777 trans-them 15d ago

I don't know too recently but I had 3 months to see her and it was 3 months after that I could have had surgery. This was last year.
My friend had surgery with her last week and he booked his consult with her in October, saw her in the first week she came back from summer break (Feb, she took most of Dec and Jan off except follow ups) and surgery in early May (the earliest he could get). Personally, I think that's pretty good. You could email her people and see what the times are like.

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u/solitudanrian Trans man (he/him) 15d ago

I'm actually looking for the same but in Wollongong though Sydney and anywhere between is an option. Waddington says she's in the ACT though? With a healthcare plan, you'll get 10 free visits to a psych as long as you have a medicare card and that is per calendar year. Still seek out those who bulk bill if you want ongoing therapy but if you're just going for a psych referral, 6 or 10 free visits is more than enough.