Therapy Supporting Infertility Treatment and Journeys
Written by Carly Greco, Registered Social Worker
One in six Canadians will seek medical support for fertility. Yet, for many people and couples, talking openly about fertility challenges and family planning is uncomfortable or even painful. Every fertility journey is deeply personal, shaped by individual experiences, cultures, stories, values, and can be both emotionally complex and intense.
Your fertility journey may take you through diagnosis, lack of diagnosis, endless appointments, treatment pathways, expected or unexpected outcomes or detours. It can bring up emotions such as frustration, anxiety, sadness, grief, and loneliness. In a society where the ability to create the family you want is assumed, and where reproductive choices are not always equally accessible or honoured, it can be important to find space where your experiences and choices are understood, validated, and worthy of taking up space.
If you are struggling in your fertility journey, you are not alone. You can seek fertility support and connection in ways that are most helpful to you through peer support, online community, or trusted loved ones. Counseling can be another option to support you as an individual, or as a couple.
What Would Therapy Supporting Fertility Treatment Look Like?
Therapy supporting fertility treatment can be individual, or with a partner or family. You will be invited into a private space with your therapist to share your story, the experiences you have been navigating that let you know additional support is needed, and what you would like from your time together. The style of therapy will depend on your therapist’s approach, and will always invite you to get curious, make connections, and challenge assumptions. It will mostly involve speaking, and may involve moving the body or connecting inward (breath work, somatic work, or grounding skills).
What Would Therapy Supporting Fertility Treatment Focus On?
In any therapy setting, you set the goals. You might explore:
The medical aspects of your fertility treatment journey.
How those experiences are affecting your emotional well-being.
Your sense of self, or your story as a parent or potential parent.
Impacts on your relationships with partners, family, or friends.
Navigating treatment curveballs, contemplating options for treatment, making difficult decisions about next steps, or addressing barriers and family or cultural pressures.
Your story deserves space. You may notice that this process brings up other emotions,
memories, or beliefs that you want to explore and navigate. These will also be welcome in the therapy space. You get to be curious - with compassion and without judgement.
Who Can Benefit from Therapy for Fertility Treatment?
Couples therapy is often recommended at the outset of medical treatment for fertility, and it may or may not be mandatory at your fertility clinic. Anyone can access fertility counselling to explore their reproductive health experience whether or not they are actively pursuing medical treatment. You deserve to explore your fertility experience no matter what that experience looks like, and no matter where you are in, or outside of, a medical process. Therapy supporting fertility can be appropriate for:
Someone who is pregnant, intends to be pregnant, or has been pregnant.
Partners who do not intend to be pregnant.
Couples, co-parents, or parenting units navigating family planning.
Will I Experience Judgement for My Past or Present Reproductive Choices?
We live in a society and culture where reproductive choices are unfortunately judged and even politicized in the public sphere. A therapist’s role is one of curiosity and emotional support, never one of judgement. That being said, you are allowed to ask your therapist about their values, whether that is around IVF treatment, abortion, single parenthood by choice, or other values, to ensure a good fit. You can also request a free, 15-minute consultation with potential therapists to ensure a positive connection before your first session. .
Final Thoughts on Fertility Support Therapy
Therapy supporting fertility treatment and journeys can support you to find clarity, manage stress, move toward your goals, sort thoughts and emotions, and strengthen relationships - with others and with yourself. Fertility counseling can offer you the space to re-write your story of what parenthood means, and what it doesn’t mean.
Your parenting journey, like that of every sixth person surrounding you, may not be beginning or continuing the way you expected. Your parenting journey might be painful or full of grief or complex. And you are not alone. Your fertility story is worth being heard and understood.
If you would like to begin this journey, please reach out to connect with a member of our team and start your path towards emotional well-being.
Sources:
World Health Organization
PMC: Infertility Study
Disclaimer:
This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or a substitute for professional consultation. It's important to seek help from a qualified mental health professional. They can provide you with a personalized diagnosis, treatment plan, and support to manage your symptoms effectively.