Reproductive Mental Health
The decision to start a family is full of excitement and joy and sometimes surprise. For many, the journey is colored with these wonderful emotions, dreams, and preparation. Though, for 1 in 6 couples there will be unanticipated and unwelcomed hurdles. This might include deep pain from the loss of a pregnancy, the heartbreak of impossible decisions, the strain on your partnership and friendships, or the shift in how you see yourself, all of which requires you to dig deep into yourself and in your relationships. Through the use of attachment-based and mind-body therapy models including EFCT, EMDR, and ISTDP, we will hold the full spectrum of your emotions so that you have clarity for the choices ahead and room for the hope that you want.
When coping with the additional stress of fertility challenges it is important to find a therapist trained in the best ways to support you, your loved-ones, and your hoped-for little one. I am a registered therapist with the American Society for Reproductive Medicine Mental Health Professional Group and graduate of the Fertility Counseling Post Graduate Course.
What We Offer
Family Building with Donors
Recipient Parent Consultation-Many fertility clinics require individuals and couples using donor sperm, eggs, or embryos to have a consultation. These sessions are an opportunity to talk through sharing your conception story with others, disclosure with your child, worries and resources, and any other concerns or questions you may have.
Donor Assessments-For individuals working with an agency or independently, psychological assessments are an important part of the process to ensure that candidates fare fully prepared and that any mental health considerations for the future child are identified and discussed.
Independent or Known Donors- The gift of support from friends and family is generous and wonderful. Because these relationships are typically on-going, they deserve special attention and many clinics will require a recipient parent consultation, donor consultation (if not a full assessment), and joint session to be clear on the expectations and plans moving forward.
Family building with gestational carriers or surrogates
Intended Parent (IP) Consultation-When seeking the support from another person to carry your pregnancy, the IP Consultation is an important part of the process. These sessions are an opportunity to talk through sharing your conception story with others and your child, address any worries and resources, discuss navigating your expectations for the relationship with your GC during and after pregnancy, and consider any other concerns or questions you may have.
Gestational Carrier (GC) and Surrogate Assessments-For individuals working with an agency or independently, psychological assessments are an important step to make sure that candidates are fully prepared and supported for the process and have clarified their expectations to ensure a good match. Candidate Partners are also a part of this process as they are often the GC’s primary support.
Joint Session-After intended parents, GC candidates, and candidate partners have completed the assessments/consultations, the joint session is held to get everyone on the same page about expectations, support, and planning ahead for the unexpected.
Independent or Known GCs-Because surrogacy arrangements involve complex relationship and real emotional risk, the standard of care as established by ASRM is for the IP cosultation, GC Assessment, and Joint Session be completed whether or not a surrogacy agency is involved. This is intended for the protection of the intended parents, the gestational carrier, and the future child. This step is recommended prior to the legal contracting meetings since it often surfaces information that shapes those conversations.
Supportive Therapy and Decision-Making
Decision-Making- So much of the fertility treatment process is uncertain and you can easily get stuck deciding next steps. Do I go for one more round? Do I consider donor gametes? Can I be ok moving forward child-free? Having a warm and knowledgeable space to talk through the options on your own and with your partner can go a long way to finding peace and clarity on your path forward.
Grief and Loss Support- Fertility treatment carries hope, but often the grief for the family building journey you may have wished for gets overlooked. In a culture that pushes hope and forward movement, there is power in working through the grief of the steps you haven’t yet experienced. With support, you can hold both the hope and the longing without getting stuck.
Pricing Information
Intended and Recipient Parent Consultations
Up to 60-90 minutes of scheduled time.
Personalized summary letter with recommendations based on our discussion
Consultation Report sent to your fertility clinic or agency within 24 hours of payment.
Superbill provided for potential insurance reimbursement.
$400
$50 per 15-minutes of additional time beyond the scheduled 90 minutes.
Donor and Gestational Carrier Psychological Assessments
6 hours of scheduled time including 2 hour consultation meeting and proctored psychological assessment
Assessment Report provided to your clinic or agency within 2 weeks
Expedited report available for additional fee
Personalized summary letter with recommendations based on our discussion
Superbill provided for potential reimbursement.
$1250
Joint Session
90-minute session
Report sent to your clinic or agency within 24 hours.
Superbill provided
$400
Known GC or Donor Package
Includes all three elements
$2000
Supportive Therapy and Decision-Making
Standard therapy rates apply
$400 for 90-minute intake
$250 for 55-minute session