Choosing to see a reproductive psychologist is significant and finding the right fertility therapist is essential as you go through fertility treatment. What questions would you ask a fertility therapist to know if they are the right therapist for you? You may not have heard of a fertility therapist until your reproductive endocrinologist recommended that you speak with one. Many therapists list fertility counseling as a specialty on their profiles in mental health directories. So how do you know what to do to find the right fertility therapist?
Here are three key questions to ask a fertility therapist to help you narrow down your search for finding the right fertility counselor for you.
1. Do you have any specialized mental health training for counseling fertility clients?
Psychologists and other licensed mental health therapists have the training to treat many different mental health conditions; however, fertility therapy requires additional training. Consider meeting with a therapist who is familiar with the medical language and acronyms that are very common to patients undergoing fertility treatments. Coping with infertility and fertility treatments is stressful enough. The last thing you should have to do is educate your therapist on basic fertility treatment terms. Finding a reproductive therapist – i.e., a therapist with specialized training in fertility removes this barrier from your treatment.
2. Do you also treat couples struggling with infertility?
If you are a couple struggling with infertility, you and your partner may benefit from fertility counseling. Infertility issues may strain a couple’s relationship, leading to increased anxiety, depression, feelings of guilt, isolation, and poor communication. A fertility therapist will work with you on effective communication and coping skills needed to handle the stress of infertility on your relationship.
3. Do you have personal or professional experience with infertility?
Although it is unnecessary to have had personal experience with infertility, many individuals who go into reproductive therapy have dealt with infertility personally or know someone close to them who has struggled with infertility. When working with a therapist who has had personal or professional experience with infertility, the therapist is likely to have knowledge of what the fertility treatments entail, how the fertility drugs may affect you emotionally, and the range of emotions that occur when you have your period monthly after trying to conceive (TTC).
The therapist’s role is to help alleviate emotions that may arise as you cope with fertility treatments. These questions will likely give you some insight into finding the right therapist as you continue on your fertility journey of building the family that is right for you.
I am a fertility psychologist in Los Angeles and offer complimentary 15-minute initial consultations. If you are a woman, birthing person, or couple seeking infertility counseling, you may click here to schedule an appointment.