Almost 1 in 6 couples struggle with fertility issues in the transition to parenthood. A recent survey by Fertility Network UK (2021) also underlines the increase in individuals and couples using ART, donor conception and surrogacy to create or expand their families – especially solo mothers and same sex couples. Offering psychological support to individuals and couples during this period of trying to conceive their families requires us to be more flexible as professionals. We may also be called upon to provide support for those struggling with early pregnancy loss, miscarriage and stillbirth. Some of our clients will also need support to envision a future without children.
By attending this 90 min webinar you will:
- Consider the psychological impacts of infertility and reproductive loss on the individual and couple
- Explore what assisted reproduction actually entails including donor conception and surrogacy
- Look at how pre-existing psychological issues may re-emerge at this time
- Learn about specific fertility related psychological concepts such as reproductive trauma (Jaffe & Diamond, 2011), mazing (Sandelowski, 1989) and Phases of Infertility Model (Diamond et al, 1999)
- Think about how typical presenting issues may require different psychological interventions eg narrative approaches, listening skills, holding, stabilisation
- Consider different assessment tools relating to infertility
- Have space to think of the impact on you of the work and ways of managing this
- Discuss case studies to highlight a range of therapeutic dilemmas
This is the 1st of 2 webinars designed as an introduction to working therapeutically with fertility issues and reproductive loss. The 2nd webinar will cover these issues as they emerge in pregnancy and parenting after infertility and loss.
Following attendance at both workshops participants will have the option to further their knowledge and practice by joining an ongoing supervision group with Julianne Boutaleb. The group will have a maximum of 6 participants and will meet every other month online. More details TBC
