Fertility + Infertility Support for Women and Couples
NAVIGATE REPRODUCTIVE CHALLENGES WITH HIGHLY SPECIALIZED THERAPEUTIC + COACHING SUPPORTIN PROVIDENCE, RI + VIRTUALLY NATIONWIDE
Guidance for critical decisions, support in grieving your losses, and actionable steps for managing overwhelm.
When family building doesn’t go to plan, it can be one of the most stressful medical and emotional challenges that people experience. From decision making fatigue to navigating pregnancy announcements, the challenges can feel endless.
Some categories that are supported well with reproductive therapy are pregnancy loss, fertility treatments, donor conception, surrogacy, adoption, LGBTQ family building, pregnancy complications that impact mental health like hyperemesis gravidarum, or termination of a wanted pregnancy for medical reasons (TFMR).
Holding keen awareness of diverse family building options, I give you the tools that you need to navigate difficult decisions, manage the impact on your relationships, and resource yourself with skills to find calm in the midst of the chaos.
I am firmly pro choice and come to my work holding that value. I prioritize care for people of color, members of the queer community, single parents (both by choice or not by choice), and other marginalized people groups.
I’m Rachael
I’m a Licensed Mental Health Therapist. Welcome to my office, where I see clients both in person and remotely. I specialize in reproductive mental health in part because I understand it deeply and personally. It is my passion to guide women through the overwhelming reality of unexpected challenges pertaining to family building. I am honored to be a guide along your path. While I can’t guarantee a particular fertility outcome for you, I can help you move through the uncertainty into a place of greater hope and peace.
What’s the difference between fertility therapy and fertility coaching?
There are a number of ways that a professional can be supportive of you through infertility. It can also be confusing to distinguish between therapists and coaches. Here is a simple definition for the two:.
Infertility Therapist: Has a graduate degree in a mental health counseling field. Practices under a professional license issued by their state. Has a number of years of supervised clinical experience and additional training specifically pertaining to infertility or third party reproduction, pregnancy, grief, and trauma. Is limited to seeing clients in the state(s) that they are licensed in.
Infertility Coach: Is not governed or held accountable by any regulations or requirements. Is generally a person who has been through the process themselves and is now offering peer support to others. Can be helpful with practical support, education, and resonance as you navigate infertility. Is not a professionally experienced or licensed provider and therefore runs the risk of causing harm during a sensitive mental health time in your life.
Here is a chart that details what services each provider is able to offer:
As you can see, a licensed therapist is able to offer you the most comprehensive support. A coach should in no way be addressing your mental health but simply providing emotional support and resources. Whereas a licensed therapist who also offers coaching can serve you in most areas.
Why would a therapist offer coaching? Because it’s not bound by location. However, this does mean that if you do not live in the state of the therapist, they are not able to offer direct mental health diagnosis, treatment, or any sort of insurance covered services. They should not be treating your trauma under this relationship, as they would need a clinical treatment plan to do so and that should only be provided under their professional license, which again, is location dependent.
It’s always helpful to ask about the practices and limitations of any professional during your consult call.
Common Reproductive Mental Health Challenges
Struggling to stay focused at work or on other projects.
Difficulty engaging family and friends, particularly around other peoples fertility successes.
Experiencing chronic anxiety and tension from the physical and mental demands.
Reduced self esteem, feeling negatively or shameful about yourself or your body.
Feeling low capacity for other categories of your life. Not enjoying things you used to enjoy.
Benefits of Reproductive Mental Health Support
Provides clarity on what is driving your current challenges and presents next steps in moving to a more hopeful place.
Helps you relate to your loved ones with greater ease, preventing isolation during what can be a lonely process.
Offers resources to help you move through grief and other challenging emotions, toward a reality of hope and joy.
Provides practical guidance and decision making support as you navigate treatments.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When do I/We seek counseling related to our infertility or family building process?
Infertility is one of the most stressful experiences that many people go through. The longer the process, the more emotionally, physically, and financially devastating it can become. If you are able, I would suggest finding a therapist who specializes in reproductive mental health as soon as possible. If you are feeling depressed, anxious, isolated, guilty, or ashamed; definitely make the investment and get a specialist on your team to help you through this difficult time.
Fertility treatments are expensive. How can I afford therapy on top of it?
This is so valid. Frequency of sessions is a good way to manage costs. If you know you need support but can’t swing a weekly fee, ask the provider you are considering if you could meet biweekly or monthly. There are also excellent, free support groups that are hosted by Resolve and All Paths Family Building. I’d be happy to explore options available to you if this is a concern.