Testimonials:
Intended Parent Testimonial
"I wanted to give you an update about how we are doing. [Our GC] is 14 weeks pregnant today and doing well. I want to thank you for all your help in getting us here. You were a blessing and we felt prepared going into the surrogacy because of your help. [Our GC] and I were talking about how great you were the other day. Thank you :)" - Crystina, Georgia
Gestational Carrier Testimonial
"I just wanted to let you know that I gave birth to (baby) last Monday. He is perfect. I wanted to thank you for all of your help throughout this process--it was incredibly fulfilling and I cannot imagine it going any more smoothly. [The intended mother] and I both said how comfortable we were with you, and how easy you made everything. Thank you again for all of your help!" Heather G., Illinois
Are you intending to use an egg donor, sperm donor, embryo donor, or gestational carrier on your road to building a family?
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine strongly recommends that anyone using a third party to build their family meet with a mental health professional specialized in the area of 3rd party reproduction. As a licensed clinical psychologist who has specialized training in the area of infertility and 3rd party reproduction, as well as an active member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine Mental Health Professional Group, I am qualified to conduct this meeting for you.
What to expect
Intended Parents:
If you are an intended parent, the purpose of this meeting is to help you think through some of the decisions and experiences that are unique to 3rd party reproduction. We will go over questions such as: what qualities are you looking for in a donor? How and when do you plan to disclose your child's origin (e.g. that they were created with a 3rd party's egg, sperm, or embryo or carried by a gestational carrier)? What relationship would you like to have with the donor/gestational carrier in the future? What resources are available for single parents by choice/same-sex couples/couples using a gestational carrier, etc.?
For those of you with known donors or who are entering into a gestational carrier arrangement, I will also be assessing to make sure that you are mentally and relationally healthy enough to engage in what can be an emotional and, at times, intense relationship with a third party. My role is not as a gatekeeper but rather as an expert party to make recommendations that will promote a healthy arrangement for everyone. These recommendations may include additional individual or couples therapy sessions, substance abuse treatment, a group meeting to make sure all parties are in agreement about certain components of the relationship, etc.
While people often come into the meeting with mixed feelings, they usually leave feeling relieved to have more information and a heads up on what to keep in mind as they move through the process of family building through 3rd party reproduction. I really enjoy doing these meetings with intended parents and feel grateful to be a part of their journey.
If you are interested in making an appointment with me, please fill out a request by clicking the button below.
For those of you with known donors or who are entering into a gestational carrier arrangement, I will also be assessing to make sure that you are mentally and relationally healthy enough to engage in what can be an emotional and, at times, intense relationship with a third party. My role is not as a gatekeeper but rather as an expert party to make recommendations that will promote a healthy arrangement for everyone. These recommendations may include additional individual or couples therapy sessions, substance abuse treatment, a group meeting to make sure all parties are in agreement about certain components of the relationship, etc.
While people often come into the meeting with mixed feelings, they usually leave feeling relieved to have more information and a heads up on what to keep in mind as they move through the process of family building through 3rd party reproduction. I really enjoy doing these meetings with intended parents and feel grateful to be a part of their journey.
If you are interested in making an appointment with me, please fill out a request by clicking the button below.
Egg Donors, Sperm Donors, Embryo Donors and Gestational Carriers/Surrogates:
Egg banks and surrogacy agencies (and, less commonly, sperm banks) typically require a mental health screening and evaluation for their donors and gestational carriers/surrogates. The purpose of this meeting is ensure that you have thought through the immense life decision you are about to make and that you have the mental health and psychiatric background to support you and any offspring created from your genetics.
Our meeting typically includes an interview with you (and your partner if partnered) and a psychiatric assessment. There are often a few at-home assessments for you to take as well.
I take all of this information into consideration and then make a recommendation to the donor bank or agency.
For embryo donors, the meeting is more like a psychoeducational meeting and less of an evaluation. We talk through the important considerations that are involved in donating your genetics to another family.
I love getting to meet the donors and gestational carriers who are helping people to build their families. I hope to send people off feeling like they are making an informed decision that they can feel good about, and feeling that they have another person to reach out to in this process.
Our meeting typically includes an interview with you (and your partner if partnered) and a psychiatric assessment. There are often a few at-home assessments for you to take as well.
I take all of this information into consideration and then make a recommendation to the donor bank or agency.
For embryo donors, the meeting is more like a psychoeducational meeting and less of an evaluation. We talk through the important considerations that are involved in donating your genetics to another family.
I love getting to meet the donors and gestational carriers who are helping people to build their families. I hope to send people off feeling like they are making an informed decision that they can feel good about, and feeling that they have another person to reach out to in this process.
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