A Place to Breathe

Therapy for Individuals and Couples Dealing With Infertility Treatment

Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.
–Thich Nhat Hanh

Introduction

I call my infertility therapy “A Place to Breathe,” because it will allow you to take a break from the stress of treatment. Whether you’re a heterosexual or a gay couple, or wanting to be a single parent, infertility treatment can be emotionally, physically or financially overwhelming.

Where are you now?

• Are you grieving from a miscarriage and/or trying to decide your next step?
• Did you just learn that you will need infertility treatment and aren’t sure how you feel about it or what you want to do?
• Are you in the middle of treatment and struggling to cope with the effects on your daily life?
• Are you in the process of choosing a donor or surrogate?
• Are you questioning if you want to continue treatment and considering adoption or having a child-free lifestyle?
• Are you pregnant through artificial means and wondering how to explain it to your child someday?
• Are you a parent who is considering infertility treatment to have another child, but concerned about meeting the needs of the one you already have?

The Many Facets of Infertility Treatment

Emotional

• Depression
• Anxiety, including muscle tension
• Appetite or sleep changes
• Confusion
• Relationship conflict, including disagreeing with your partner about which treatments to pursue or not

Physical

• Frequent medical appointments that are scheduled according to your fertility needs
• Invasive tests
• Injections that must be administered at the same time every day

Relationships With Family and Friends

• Not sure who to tell, or what to tell them
• Watching others start families and not knowing how to react to their news
• Wondering how to handle baby shower invitations

Employment

• Missing work due to appointments
• Dealing with what to tell your boss and colleagues about your absences

Financial

• Coping with the high cost of appointments, procedures and medications
• Losing income because you have run out of leave time at work
• Figuring out which treatments you’re willing to pay for and how you’re going to afford them

My Approach

I bring more than 20 years of experience in helping women improve coping skills, overcome trauma and grief, and face life transitions. I have helped couples in resolving conflicts. I provide a neutral, nonjudgmental, safe place to process issues that may arise as part of infertility treatment. I can assist you in developing day-to-day coping strategies for wherever your difficulties lie in dealing with your treatment. I offer you A Place to Breathe.

Resources

Conquering Infertility: Dr. Alice Domar’s Mind/Body Guide to Enhancing Fertility and Coping with Infertility, by Alice D. Domar, Ph.D. and Alice Lesch Kelly

This book encompasses the stressful dimensions of treatment and offers concrete suggestions for how to deal with them.

Mommies, Daddies, Donors, Surrogates: Answering Touch Questions and Building Strong Families, by Diane Ehrensaft, PhD

Dr. Ehrensaft helps families of all types — married or single, straight or gay — address questions that might arise once a child is conceived through assisted reproductive technology.

‍ www.asrm.org
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), has reproductive facts, the latest infertility research, educational videos and patient resources.

‍ www.resolve.org
This nonprofit organization provides support, referrals and information to people at every step of the fertility treatment process.

‍ www.parentsviaeggdonation.org
For parents and parents-to-be who are considering egg donation or who have undergone the procedure to build their families.

‍ www.singlemothersbychoice.org
Support for women who are, or may become, single mothers. Members-only sections provide safe and confidential help.