Helen Webberley

I specialise in working with the LGBTQA+ community and their allies and am qualified in Gender, Sexuality and Relationship Diversity and so I have a deep understanding of the complexities associated with all these areas of life.

Marianne Oakes (Gender GP Lead Therapist)

'My Trans Journey'
(extracts)
November 2018 : This month saw the arrival of two small but life-affirming packages...
While I would love to share my latest news in a calm and orderly fashion, it is impossible. This month saw the arrival of two small but life-affirming packages, in the shape of my very own breasts and I couldn’t me more delighted. I am still suffering with growing pains which has made the wearing of breast forms impossible. This has left me with a dilemma: how do I go from wearing breast forms, which have for so long given me the female form I needed to feel safe, to having my own breasts - certainly small but increasing in size as the hormones weave their magic - without leaving myself vulnerable.

I needn't have worried, I arrived at an 'A' cup very quickly, a small 'A' cup granted, but enough for me work with. I purchased a bra and was able to enhance my natural assets with the help of some (what we girls in the know call) 'chicken fillets'. Searching the rails for ‘A’ cups was an eye opener as I also discovered I could wear bras a couple of sizes up and feel very comfortable boosted by the extra size which they comfortably provided." (continues)
Who knows what size my breasts will finally settle at. To be honest, right now I don’t really care. All that truly matters is that I am overjoyed with my developing body, a sensation which I have no doubt has been experienced by countless trans women before me. (continues)

*January 2019 - New Year New You?
"My life has changed in so many ways purely because of HRT. Yes, I am now having to work harder to maintain a body that is reasonably fit, but that is all I have wanted throughout the years. I can now engage with my friends who have had a lifetime of maintenance in this way, I can talk about dieting or keep fit, and these are some of the things that allow me to connect with my new world. To sit, if only in a small way, with my female experience, to be seen and received as the woman I am.

February 2019: Settling down
My Oestrogen levels have settled down and while changes are still happening they are slow and subtle. Initially I was desperate to see big changes happen fast but I have come to terms with the idea that, when it comes to hormones, nothing happens overnight.

I still look at my breasts every morning and evening, in fact every chance I get. It is difficult to describe the way it feels to finally have something I never dreamed possible, although growth still continues to be very painful!

My breast development has taught me two really important things:

1. Among all the changes brought about by HRT, my breast development has been the most significant in terms of the impact on my emotional wellbeing. My breasts are the undeniable proof (size at this stage really doesn't count), that my body is gaining the secondary sex characteristics of my gender identity. This is beyond anything I could have imagined before starting HRT. 2. I can't imagine being a young trans teen and going through this process if my breasts were not a welcome addition, such is the significance of this area of our body. The dysphoria it could potentially cause would be unimaginable. It is no wonder that trans boys choose to wear binders and long for top surgery.

In February, I had an appointment with the GIC and we talked about surgery - bottom surgery. I am not yet ready to think about this, I don't know why, but life is ok for now, my place on my journey is settled, my dysphoria is, for now, manageable.

I know for some this could never be the case at any time, but, my career is going well, I am connecting with my community and most importantly my family in a way I never truly thought possible and, for now at least, this feels enough.

June 2019: Gender Euphoria
Warning this post is influenced by a rush of Gender Euphoria which some may feel is currently out of reach for them. For the record, this is not my day to day state of being. I also fully understand that, for some, the idea of ever feeling this confident may seem impossible. But I want to send a very clear message: don’t lose hope. This is what it can feel like on a REALLY good day xx

I will confess, part of not losing weight and something that held me back, was fear. I was really worried that if I lost weight, my feminine curves would disappear and I would feel deflated. However I am delighted to report that nothing could be further from the truth - as I write this I am smiling like the cat who got the cream. For the first time in my life, I like my body, not just the curves, but the way I feel, my God it feels so good... But of course these things are never all plain sailing. My two best assets have sadly taken a hit, and some of what I have gained in size has reduced. I won’t lie, this does feel like a tiny step backwards, but I am sure they will make a welcome return, eventually.
www.gendergp.com/my-story-marianne-oakes/

In my opinion, middle aged fathers desparate to cause gynecomastia so they might experience the 'euphoria' of having their own breasts should not have influence over female children whose distress is often in part caused by how middle aged men fixate on girls and women's breasts.

In April 2018 Dr Helen Webberley signposted children reading her blog to the fact that buying/intention to purchase black market hormones was one of the criteria to demand /justify provision of a bridging prescription from a GP.

Amazing how that wouldn't work for teenagers who wanted to source T for bodybuilding. Or middle-aged people who are desperate for thyroid medications.

All that education and still can't spell 'lose'. However, that is quite common.

The doctor says without her services and NHS waiting lists for trans people at a record high, some desperate under 18s are sourcing and administering hormones bought on the black market.

In April 2018 Dr Helen Webberley signposted children reading her blog to the fact that buying/intention to purchase black market hormones was one of the criteria to demand /justify provision of a bridging prescription from a GP.

archive.fo/IhsKq

Counselling Directory:

Marianne Oakes Counselling
"About us
My name is Marianne Oakes and I am a qualified Person Centred counsellor offering support to adults, young people, loved ones and families whatever the issues and concerns might be. I work face to face and online via video calling plus telephone. I specialise in working with the LGBTQA+ community and their allies and am qualified in Gender, Sexuality and Relationship Diversity and so I have a deep understanding of the complexities associated with all these areas of life. (continues)

If your relationship is affected by any of the above, I work with couples helping you to navigate the uncharted waters you might be facing, again, you are not alone, please email me and we can set up an appointment for you.

Finally, the areas outlined above include, Transgender, Gay, Lesbian and Bisexuality, sexuality, Kink, Polyamory, adults and young people all ages and generations. (continues)

Training, qualifications & experience
I trained at the Manchester college for 5 years qualifying with a Diploma in Person Centred Therapeutic Counselling and I have recently completed a Post Graduate Diploma in working with Gender Sexuality Diverse Relationships(GSDR) with Pink Therapy.

I have worked as a volunteer for Mind and Beacon Counselling in Stockport where I have been privileged to work with clients from all walks of life with issues from minor mental health concerns to severe depression and everything in between. I am now the Lead Counsellor for Gender GP and work with Dr Webberley.

Member organisations *
BACP
www.counselling-directory.org.uk/counsellors/marianne-oakes-counselling

"I trained at the Manchester college for 5 years"

Manchester College (FE)
Diploma Therapeutic Counselling
level 4, 2 years part time course
To be eligible for this course you will need to have previously completed a Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills.
Students will also complete a 100-hour placement as required in all professional counselling training and will undertake casework supervision with a supervisor provided by the college.
Mind and Beacon Counselling?
www.tmc.ac.uk/courses/therapeutic-counselling

Certificate in Counselling Skills
level 3, 1 year part time course
To be eligible for this course you will need to have previously completed a Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Concepts.
www.tmc.ac.uk/courses/counselling-skills

As an adult learner with few qualifcations, Oakes may have taken basic skills/access course/s prior to the Level 2 certificate to make up the five years' attendance.

I have recently completed a Post Graduate Diploma in working with Gender Sexuality Diverse Relationships(GSDR) with Pink Therapy.
Pink Therapy

Foundation Certificate in Gender, Sexual and Relationship Diversity Therapy
Course Category: One year programme
"If you’re keen to position yourself as a GSRD specialist, there will be an option to progress to the second year of study that will extend your knowledge and skills to Diploma level.

The one-year Foundation Certificate has been designed as an entry-level training solution delivered by a range of leaders and international experts in the field of Gender, Sexual; and Relationship Diversity. (continues)

Entry Requirements & Awards – As this is a post-graduate training, it is open to participants who have already satisfactorily completed a basic training to the equivalent of a Diploma in Counselling or Psychotherapy, Counselling Psychology or Clinical Psychology or Psychiatry. We will consider applications from qualified allied health professionals involved in providing counselling support and advisory work (e.g., nurses, health advisors, social workers, occupational therapists, youth and community workers etc*). This is not a training in Therapeutic Counselling or Psychotherapy.

www.pinktherapy.com/Training/tabid/82/ctl/ViewCourse/mid/422/CourseId/119/language/en-GB/Default.aspx

The doctor says without her services and NHS waiting lists for trans people at a record high, some desperate under 18s are sourcing and administering hormones bought on the black market.

And the service she provides is different to the black market because?

(Again, thinking about the Telegraph reporting).

“We’re not suggesting treatment for young people. What we’re doing is we’re having ^young people people6 saying ‘please, please, please can I have this?'”

I don't think it's unfair to suggest that she is talking about customers, not patients.

If I had stopped running my gender clinic 2,000 patients customers would have nowhere to go bought drugs elsewhere.

inews by By Jasmine Andersson

‘If I had stopped running my gender clinic 2,000 patients would have nowhere to go,’ says doctor on tribunal

EXCLUSIVE ‘At last I will get a chance to explain why I broke the law,’ Dr Helen Webberley said
(extract)
"A doctor treating young transgender people at an unlicensed private clinic said more than 2,000 patients would have had “nowhere to go” if she stopped running the service. (continues)

Her and her partner and fellow practitioner, Dr Mike Webberley, relocated GenderGP to a new base in Malaga, Spain in 2019 so they could provide puberty blockers and hormone treatment for gender-diverse patients. GenderGP ownership has since passed to Hong Kong based Harland International.

The hearing will assess if Dr Webberley continued “carrying on or managing an independent medical agency without being registered under the Care Standards Act 2000.”

Ahead of the tribunal, the doctor told i “at last I will get a chance to explain why I broke the law.”

The doctor says without her services and NHS waiting lists for trans people at a record high, some desperate under 18s are sourcing and administering hormones bought on the black market.

The doctor said: “When I was told by the health inspectorate to stop running GenderGP, by that time, I had 2,000 patients. That would be 2,000 patients with nowhere to go.

“I explained that to the Health Inspectorate, but they didn’t care. I saw people suffering. I just had to do what was right.

“We’re not suggesting treatment for young people. What we’re doing is we’re having ^young people people6 saying ‘please, please, please can I have this?'”

Dr Webberley said: “Any doctor fears the fallout of patients not getting the care they need, and the risk of stress, anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicide.

“Like any doctor, I’m providing the best care I possibly can, to the best of my ability at any given moment. I’m left making some hard decisions. Some of this trial will be based on whether I made the right decision for those patients on that day.

“I have 300 patients who have provided testimony on their care under GenderGP, and how it has changed their lives for the better.”
The doctor added the tribunal brings about a bigger question on “what is the right approach to transgender healthcare for younger people.” (continues)
inews.co.uk/news/health/gender-clinic-patients-tribunal-gendergp-doctor-helen-webberley-nhs-1121007

Helen Webberley /Gender GP customers wanting puberty blocking drugs are all parents/guardians of children or the children themselves.

Undoubtedly

I'm seeing a strange dichotomy in the number of menopausal women who aren't being allowed low prescription testosterone for extremely debilitating meno symptoms, or at the least jumping through hoops, and merry handing out like sweets to young girls who are still 6 years off being fully grown.

She applauds the fact that a girl of 15 knows her mind about never wanting children. Conveniently, for the treatment prescribed, given it's affects.

From the Telegraph report it sounds as though you’d get more push back from a responsible tattoo artist asked to tattoo the name of a first romantic interest.

The regulator’s case is: it was not written down, so you can infer that it did not happen.

This is a line of reasoning that is eminently open to challenge. It is hardly necessary to point out that it is not for the professional to prove to the tribunal that he did do whatever is alleged. That would be a reversal of the burden of proof.

This is interesting. Could it be that there is a different standard for tribunals such as this as oppose to the civil courts? ie if a patient is suing their local trust for whatever reason, eg ending up with a colostomy after what should have been a straightforward laparoscopic sterilisation and saying no one told me this could happen therefore consent procedures weren't properly followed, that's good enough to sue for ££££ but for the tribunal the standard and burden of proof is different? I know that for criminal cases where someone doesn't get satisfaction in the criminal courts they may successfully sue an assailant for instance (wasn't OH Simpson successfully sued by Nicole Brown's family?).

Even if notes were taken, it doesn’t seem as though these things would be a concern - then or now!

She applauds the fact that a girl of 15 knows her mind about never wanting children. Conveniently, for the treatment prescribed, given it's affects.

But record keeping is more than ability to offer proof. It is also necessary so the next clinician knows what went before. The first may well have done a thorough assessment, identified a comorbid issue or risk factor, and adjusted their care to reflect this. But if it is not written down then the next clinician may just see an incorrect or ineffective treatment and adjust it/offer an alternative at a review appointment having carefully read the notes and seeing no reason for the first decision.

Webberley’s approach: ‘you know best what treatment you need’; seems to transfer responsibility for care from the doctor to the patient. Can that approach fit into the legal framework of medical ethics?

Reading that way Tib, reminds me of Barracker and pronouns.

Can be acceptable.