Infertility Therapist for Every Part of the Journey

An infertility therapist is a licensed mental health professional who specializes in supporting people through the emotional challenges of infertility, fertility treatment and trying to conceive. They help people cope with the stress, grief, uncertainty and relationship challenges that can come with building a family when things don't go as planned.

Therapy can’t make you pregnant but it can help you cope with the emotional impact of infertility, fertility treatment and trying to conceive. An infertility therapist can support you through the stress, grief, uncertainty and difficult decisions that often come with it.

While therapy can't change the outcome, it can change how you experience the process of getting there.

Yes, it is completely normal to feel devastated by infertility and research shows that the emotional distress of infertility can be comparable to other major medical diagnoses. Many people experience anxiety, depression, grief, anger and isolation while trying to conceive or going through fertility treatment.

Infertility is a loss, even when no one else can see it. The grief is real, and you don’t have to minimize it just because other people may not understand it.

You may want to see an infertility counselor if trying to conceive, fertility treatments or all the uncertainty is starting to feel like too much to hold on your own. Many people seek support after a diagnosis, during IVF, after months of trying or when they notice infertility is affecting their relationships, mood or daily life.

You don’t have to wait until you’re completely overwhelmed. Sometimes therapy is helpful simply because you need a place to talk about the fear, frustration, hope and grief that can come with trying to build a family.

Infertility can contribute to depression and anxiety and research shows that this emotional impact is significant, with studies finding that about 35% of people experiencing infertility report symptoms of depression and nearly half report symptoms of anxiety during fertility treatment.

Infertility is not just a medical experience. The waiting, uncertainty, financial stress and constant cycle of hope and disappointment can be incredibly difficult to navigate. If you’re struggling, it doesn’t mean you’re not handling it well, it means you’re going through something really hard.

There is no perfect way to get through the two week wait, but some people feel better by stepping away from pregnancy searches, limiting symptom-checking or making plans that give them something else to look forward to. Others need space to talk about the fear, hope and disappointment that can come with trying to conceive.

The hardest part of the two-week wait is that there is only so much you can do. You can follow all the recommendations, take care of yourself and do everything “right,” but you still have to wait. It makes sense if you find yourself feeling hopeful one minute and terrified the next.

Yes, it is normal for partners to grieve infertility in different ways, and having different reactions does not mean one person cares more or less than the other. One person may need to talk about it often while the other needs space, one may feel everything deeply while the other focuses on problem-solving, and both responses are valid.

Infertility can feel incredibly lonely, especially when it seems like you and your partner are living through the same experience in completely different ways. Individual therapy can help you make sense of your own feelings, communicate what you need and navigate the challenges infertility can place on your relationship.

Secondary infertility is the inability to become pregnant or carry a pregnancy after previously having a child. It is just as real as primary infertility, but many people feel they aren't allowed to grieve because they think they should be grateful for the child they already have.

Loving the child you have and grieving the child you're hoping for can both be true at the same time. Those feelings don't cancel each other out. If you're looking for secondary infertility support, you're not the only person who has felt this way.

Yes, EMDR can help people process the trauma that can come with infertility including difficult medical procedures, failed treatment cycles, receiving an infertility diagnosis or other experiences that continue to feel overwhelming long after they've happened.

Not every infertility experience requires EMDR, and we don't have to decide that right away. If it feels like a good fit for your goals, we can talk about whether EMDR makes sense for you. You can learn more about EMDR here.

There is no right way to react to baby showers and pregnancy announcements while you're experiencing infertility. Some people choose to go, others decide they can't and many find that it depends on the day. You don't have to force yourself to attend if it feels like too much or you just can't.

It's okay to protect your own well-being. You can celebrate someone else's joy while also acknowledging your own grief and sometimes that means sending a gift, declining the invitation or taking some space from social media. The people who truly care about you will understand that you're taking care of yourself right now.

Yes, I work with LGBTQIA+ clients who are building families through donor conception, IVF, surrogacy and other paths to parenthood. I understand that creating a family as an LGBTQIA+ person can come with unique emotional, financial and systemic challenges.

Whether you’re just starting to explore your options or navigating the stress and uncertainty that can come with the process, you deserve support that understands your whole experience. You can learn more about my approach to LGBTQIA+ therapy here.

There is no one right answer for when to stop trying to conceive because this decision looks different for everyone. For some people, it comes after years of treatment. For others, it comes after realizing the emotional, physical or financial cost has become too much to keep going. There is no specific point where you are supposed to know.

Many people find themselves feeling torn between wanting to keep hoping and feeling exhausted from all of it. You may wonder if you’re giving up too soon, if you’ll regret stopping or if you’ll always wonder what could have happened if you tried one more time.

Whatever you decide, the grief is real. You can grieve the future you hoped for while also finding a way to care for the life you are living now.

Yes, I offer online infertility counseling throughout Texas, including Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, El Paso and communities across the state. Virtual therapy makes it possible to access infertility support without adding another appointment, commute or waiting room to an already overwhelming schedule.

Infertility counseling sessions are $170 for individual 50-minute sessions and single session therapy is available for $150 if you need support around a specific concern without committing to ongoing therapy. I am in network with Curative Health Plan and Employer Health Network (EHN) and provide superbills for possible out of network reimbursement with other insurance plans.