Well... I don't know how things work where you live. Perhaps the reason you have to live as a man for 9 months, before seeing a gender therapist, has something to do with the health care system in the U.K.? That just seems backwards to me. Normally I would think you would start seeing the therapist first.

I'm sorry you're stuck living as someone you feel you're not due to your family. I know something about this though. I'm kind-of doing the same thing. Good luck with counseling at the LGBT center. That sounds like a great idea!