Reproductive Mental Health
Therapy & Counseling for planning, infertility, pregnancy, and loss.
What types of people could benefit from this specialty?
People experiencing infertility or secondary infertility; pregnancy loss; coping with pregnancy after infertility or loss; or those looking for support in navigating the stages of planning fertility treatments and pregnancy.
How does this aspect fit into the Perinatal Mental Health Certifying field?
Pregnancy and postpartum are by no means the only potential struggles and obstacles in having a baby. The early stages of planning, making treatment decisions, and navigating the impact of treatment on your physical and emotional health are all relevant to this specialty. In fact, in the United States 1 in 8 couples will experience infertility issues and certified Perinatal Mental Health Professionals are keen to all the different types of resources and supports available for help.
What would you say to a person/couple out there struggling with getting pregnant or dealing with loss?
There is no single way to navigate the path of infertility or loss and it can bring out a range of emotions from grief and sadness, to anger and loneliness. Sometimes close family members, friends, or even partners have a difficult time knowing the right things to say. Engaging in counseling at this time can provide you a space to process your experience, identify helpful supports, and explore options in a nonjudgmental setting.
How do you use your background and training in this sub-specialty?
I hold a License in Clinical Social Work (LCSW) in the states of Florida, New York and Rhode Island and have received the Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C) through Postpartum Support International. This means I have completed extensive training in the field of Maternal Mental Health which allows me to use my practical experience to evaluate, treat, and support women during this unique time in their life.
Specializing in this field allows for a focused understanding of the emotional complexities and challenges of fertility treatment and the issues related to reproduction. Counseling can be provided on an individual or couples basis, depending on specific needs and your unique areas of concern.