Infertility Counselling
Jennifer McDermott, M.A., R.S.W., Counselling Services provides support & therapy for individuals and couples coping with the stress of infertility. Jennifer developed a special interest in infertility counselling after struggling with infertility in her own life.
Infertility effects between 80 million & 168 million people in the world today. This works out to roughly 1 in 10 couples experiencing either primary or secondary infertility. Infertility is not just a medical condition, but also a social & emotional condition. People who suffer from infertility often feel alone, misunderstood, experience grief, & have a sense of loss of control over their bodies. |
Infertility Therapy
Infertility counselling & therapy is an emergent specialty & has gained respect for its professional contribution to improved patient care & medical outcomes. Jennifer McDermott utilizes a variety of treatment modalities (individual, couple/family, support & therapy groups) using therapeutic approaches such as psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioural treatment, marriage & family therapy, strategic/solution-focused brief therapy, grief counselling & implications/decision-making counselling.
Individual therapy is helpful for supporting personal distress & dysfunction, whether exacerbated or caused by infertility. Sessions provide a safe & trusting environment, allowing for growth & healing from the pain of infertility. Couples therapy may also be appropriate where there are relationship or marital problems, particularly those involving communication, decision making & conflict resolution. Infertility is clearly a 'couples problem', involving the grieving of shared losses for both partners, interrupted sexual practices & considerable stressors (e.g., financial strain & extended medical treatment).
Group therapy is useful to individuals & couples needing validation or personal perspective in promoting personal growth. The group process aids in normalizing and sharing the infertility experience, as well as improving feelings of isolation & stigma. There is also some evidence that some forms of group interventions may even improve medical outcomes.
Jennifer McDermott Counselling Services can help you cope with the stress of infertility and maintain healthy relationships with the loved ones in your life.