How can counseling for infertility help you to cope ?

Infertility can be a distressing and emotionally challenging experience for women and couples trying to conceive. The impact of infertility can  affect your mental and emotional well-being. Psychotherapy can be  helpful by providing support and guidance to navigate the difficult emotions and challenges associated with fertility struggles.

You may experience a range of emotions, including sadness, grief, frustration, anger, and hopelessness. Psychotherapy can help you explore these emotions in a safe and supportive environment. As a trained psychotherapist, I can provide a non-judgmental space to express your feelings, process your experiences, and identify coping strategies to manage stress and anxiety. Psychotherapy can help you to regain trust in yourself and your body.

I can help you to identify negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to stress and anxiety. Through therapy, you can learn coping skills and develop new ways of thinking about infertility that promote resilience and positive emotions. I can also help you to develop skills to manage the physical symptoms of stress.

I am big about using mindfulness-based therapy. Mindfulness can help you learn to observe and accept your emotions without judgment, which can reduce anxiety and promote feelings of well-being. Mindfulness can also help you develop a sense of perspective and learn to focus on the present moment rather than worrying about the future.

I can also provide support you and guide you in making decisions about infertility treatments. As an experienced therapist and someone knowledgeable in the medical field, I can help you to navigate the complex medical decisions associated with fertility treatments, including the emotional and financial costs. 

Infertility can be a challenging and emotionally taxing experience for many women. Wherever you are in your reproductive journey, you can count on me! You deserve special care from a trained professional that specializes in reproductive and perinatal mental health services. I am here for you!

We used to call it "Postpartum Depression" but there is much more than that. These disorders can start during pregnancy. Differentiating them helps us to treat them appropriately. 

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) are a group of mental health conditions that can affect women during pregnancy or after giving birth. These conditions include depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and bipolar disorder. On very rare occasions, some women develop postpartum psychosis. While rare, this diagnosis is an emergency and needs to be treated promptly. 

PMADs are very common, affecting up to 20% of women during pregnancy and the first years postpartum. Symptoms of PMADs may include persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, irritability, or a lack of interest in the baby, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, and difficulties with concentration or decision-making. Many women also experience feelings of extreme fear, and intrusive thoughts about harming the baby unintentionally (what if I drop my baby while going down the stairs). 

It's essential to seek help if you're experiencing symptoms of PMADs. With proper treatment, you can recover fully and go on to enjoy motherhood. Treatment may include psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both.

If you or someone you know is struggling with PMADs, talk to your healthcare provider, seek support from family and friends, and consider starting psychotherapy. Remember, it's okay to ask for help, and you're not alone. Wherever you are in your reproductive journey, you can count on me! You deserve special care from a trained professional that specializes in reproductive and perinatal mental health services. I am here for you!