INFERTILITY

What is psychotherapy and how can we help?What are the effects of infertility?

Infertility is hard on so many levels. Lack of control, the feeling of being let down by one’s body impacts self-esteem and confidence. One of the most challenging aspects of the infertility experience is dealing with the emotional ups and downs relating to medical treatment, the uncertainty about the future, and the challenge of having to make difficult treatment decisions.

What is psychotherapy and how can we help?What are the effects of infertility?

Infertility is hard on so many levels. Lack of control, the feeling of being let down by one’s body impacts self-esteem and confidence. One of the most challenging aspects of the infertility experience is dealing with the emotional ups and downs relating to medical treatment, the uncertainty about the future, and the challenge of having to make difficult treatment decisions.

In a 2000 study, Dr. Alice Domar found that infertile women who went through a ten-week program of relaxation training, cognitive restructuring, and stress management demonstrated significant reductions in anxiety, depression, anger and fatigue. Furthermore, within one year, 55% of program graduates had a pregnancy that resulted in a baby. This compared to only 20% of the control group, who did not take the course.

Many individuals and couples report

  • Ongoing feelings of sadness and guilt
  • Feelings of helplessness, hopelessness and worthlessness
  • Loss of interest in usual activities
  • Social isolation or avoidance
  • Marital problems
  • Feeling excessively irritable or moody
  • Feeling “stuck” in one feeling, such as rage, envy, guilt or feeling out of control
  • Stress

Individual and Couples Counseling For Infertility

Drs. Miltenberger and Liland have received specialized training in Mind/Body medicine to help you acquire the skills to navigate this difficult journey. Dr. Miltenberger has been personally trained by Dr. Alice Domar, of Harvard Medical School and The Domar Center, bringing back to our practice the most specialized skills to treat infertility.

Individual and Couples Counseling For Infertility

Drs. Miltenberger and Liland have received specialized training in Mind/Body medicine to help you acquire the skills to navigate this difficult journey. Dr. Miltenberger has been personally trained by Dr. Alice Domar, of Harvard Medical School and The Domar Center, bringing back to our practice the most specialized skills to treat infertility.

In this specialized counseling you will learn how to:

  • Practice the art of self-nurturance, effective communication, and coping with difficult emotions
  • Reduce negative self-talk and destructive core beliefs that cause feelings of depression and anxiety
  • Decrease the isolation often experienced with infertility
  • Add back self-nurturing skills that help you regain joy and hope
  • Achieve mental clarity and perspective needed to evaluate all treatment & alternative family building options
  • Optimize partner support by learning how to meet one another’s needs
  • Refocus on nurturing the relationship and not just fertility goals
  • Learn healthy, effective ways to communicate feelings and resolve conflict with you partner