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Program Components: |
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Couples-Centered Consultation & Needs Assessment We consider it important to have both partners involved in the Consultation and Needs Assessment phase of our program, since both partners are affected by the distress of infertility. The in-depth assessment of the partners circumstances at the beginning of therapy allows for a highly personalized service plan. During this initial consultation, we carefully consider the couple’s unique circumstances to determine the type of services, resources and information that will best benefit the partners individually or as a couple. This assessment includes both partners’ goals and strategies for resolving the infertility crisis, their reproductive family histories, relationship concerns, psychological challenges, symptoms of stress and coping skills. A male/female co-therapist team usually conducts these sessions. The consultation concludes with recommendations for further services, if appropriate. We help the couple formulate a plan to resolve and move beyond the crisis. This plan weaves together the couple’s medical treatment options with the goals, length and forms of infertility counseling (individual, couple or group) and other strategies. The partner’s medical specialist will be consulted if necessary. A follow-up visit will be arranged after three to six months to evaluate the progress made and discuss any necessary changes. Well & Beyond has found this
format to be an effective way to help the couple start resolving and
moving beyond the crisis. Couples report that they gain hope, ‘see
light at the end of a black tunnel’ and find new perspectives on their
situation as a result of the consultation. Couples Infertility Counseling Couples Infertility Counseling can reduce relational stress and increase mutual support, communication, satisfaction and understanding within the partnership. We will examine what impact the infertility diagnosis had on the couple. The therapy work focuses on helping partners develop empathy for each other and gain understanding of how each partner has been affected by the diagnosis. Gender differences in coping with infertility and family of origin beliefs on reproduction and being a parent will be incorporated. The couple will receive the support they need as they sort through their options and make important reproductive decisions. In those cases where infertility has interfered with the couple’s sexual relationship, the partners will receive help to resolve these difficulties. The couple will learn how to refocus their attention
from the all-consuming infertility issue to those aspects of their
relationship that can bring them mutual joy and contentment. Individual Infertility Counseling This form of therapy is recommended when one partner needs
specialized help to resolve emotional and psychological issues connected with
infertility. This might be the case in symptoms of moderate to severe
depression. It can also be helpful when the distress of infertility is
compounded by other difficulties, such as a history of past trauma or abuse or
an eating disorder. Individual infertility counseling offers the opportunity
to explore in greater depth concerns related to reproductive health. It’s
also a chance to develop an individualized infertility stress reduction
program, if needed. Well & Beyond’s infertility groups are modeled on the program developed by Dr. A. Domar at the Mind/Body Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, and Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston. Dr. Domar’s program has been extensively researched and has received much attention in the media as an effective way to reduce physical and emotional stress and to significantly increase viable pregnancy rates. We offer different types of groups. Some are primarily
designed for women, with their partners included in only some of the sessions.
In other groups both partners are welcome at all sessions. Infertility groups typically include the following components:
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