Laura Winters, LCSW, PMH-C is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who graduated from Fordham with a Master's Degree in Clinical Social Work. She received advanced clinical training in infertility counseling, as well as treating Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders. Learn more
Lauren Gorman, LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor and graduated from Seton Hall University with a Master’s degree in Professional Counseling. She has advanced clinical training in infertility and prenatal/postpartum counseling. Learn more
Jessica Falzarano, LSW is a Licensed Social Worker and graduated from Rutgers with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work. She has advanced clinical training in maternal mental health and perinatal loss. Learn more
Going through fertility treatments can be such an emotional rollercoaster. Starting out, you may feel hopeful that all your efforts will pay off, then you’re devastated when a cycle doesn’t work out. You question everything you possibly could have done wrong, only to find the determination and strength to try again. It’s difficult to ride this rollercoaster without maintaining some hope that what you’re doing will work out eventually.
But how much hope is ok?
I'm pleased to share that I will now be offering a postpartum support group for mothers via egg donation! I will be co-facilitating the group with my colleague, Jackie Biello, LPC, at my Chatham office.
Read MoreWhen you're struggling with infertility, there are so many things that you don't want to face - pregnancy announcements, congratulating people on their pregnancy, baby showers, basically anything that relates to still not being pregnant. And there are often occasions where people don't realize that their innocent questions or well- meaning comments are actually painful to bear.
Read MoreI was talking to a friend recently about her infertility struggles and the idea of counseling came up. She responded, "I didn't know counseling for infertility was a thing. I’m sure that would've helped me a lot."
think my friend's sentiments are probably true for a lot of people going through infertility. There is so much that you are concerned with while you're going through fertility treatments - focusing on getting pregnant, managing shots, making your appointments - just to name a few. And you're juggling all of this on top of your typical daily schedule.
Unless you’ve been through it yourself, it’s tough to understand what someone you care about is going through when it comes to infertility treatments. For starters, there’s the overhwhelming medical aspect of the process - a whole new dictionary of medical terms to be learned, as well as understanding treatments and what you have to do. There will be a lot of decisions to consider, sometimes very difficult choices that you would never have to consider otherwise. Then there’s the lack of privacy that comes with family or friends wanting to know how things are going, but you’re just not ready to talk about it. Or you simply may not care to reveal the intimate details of your and your partner’s sex organs.
Read MoreFor some, the holidays are a festive and joyous time. They seem to be unaffected by the hectic season and look forward to time with loved ones. And for others, the holidays can be a stressful time, one they wish they could fast forward through or even skip entirely.
Read More10 to 15% of couples experience infertility each year. Research shows that the diagnosis of infertility is comparable to that of a life-threatening medical illness, such as cancer, in terms of the emotional impact it has. It's not surprising that many women, even those who have coped well through past adversities, find themselves feeling overwhelmed.
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