Fertility Center Psychological Program
Our program is designed specifically to attend to the emotional needs of men and women who are experiencing infertility. Our clinicians and counselors understand that infertility can be a complex, stressful, and often time-consuming problem for couples.
Men and women new to the problem are sometimes prepared for the physical procedures they will have to undergo, but often don't realize how emotionally difficult the process can be. Sometimes one partner is more devoted to the process than the other; sometimes infertility treatments can stretch on for months and become financially draining; and sometimes people experiencing infertility end up feeling alone and isolated, even from those who love them the most. That's why we are here—because we've been through it before, and we are here to help our patients through it, too.
Our Approach
There are moral, ethical, and scientific dilemmas that can be challenging to resolve. Our strong communication throughout the process, and our continuous psychological support help our patients to gain perspective on why each person's experience is different. The education we provide helps our patients understand their options and feel confident about their decisions.
Although infertility affects one in six couples in the United States, most people feel isolated and alone when faced with dealing with it. Feelings associated with infertility are:
- A loss of interest in usual activities
- Difficulty thinking of anything other than one's infertility
- Change in sleeping and/or eating patterns
- Fleeting thoughts of death and dying
- Difficulty making decisions
- Feelings of isolation and loneliness
At times these symptoms may lead to strained relationships with one's partner, family, friends, and/or colleagues at work. An open (but entirely confidential) discussion of these issues with our counselors can often be helpful.
Our counselors can provide important information about treatment options and help to facilitate discussion of such topics as whether or not to pursue a particular treatment; whether and how to pursue third-party assistance (such as donor sperm, an egg donor, and surrogacy); and whether or not to pursue adoption. We can also help with questions about multiple pregnancies, pregnancy loss, and when and whether to stop treatment.
