The experience of infertility and its medical treatment can have a powerful impact on individuals and couples. Infertility can affect every aspect of daily life including interpersonal relationships, emotional well-being, and work performance.

Infertility and its treatment are often characterized by alternating periods of hope and despair. It is common for individuals to experience varying degrees of anxiety, depression, anger, grief and guilt. Individuals may also suffer from disturbances in sleep, poor concentration and decreased appetite.

Infertility is frequently accompanied by multiple losses. Hope and optimism may soon turn into anger and grief if an intervention proves to be unsuccessful. Moreover, many of the losses associated with fertility treatment are difficult to grieve, as they are frequently intangible.

Although in many cases one partner may be formally diagnosed with a fertility problem, infertility is a couple’s problem. Couples are faced with stress and uncertainty on many fronts. Many experience increased conflict and difficulty communicating, which is often complicated by the difference in coping styles used by men and women. Couples may also experience a decrease in sexual desire and satisfaction. In addition, couples undergoing treatment often feel isolated and unable to turn to family and friends for emotional support.

Psychotherapy can help individuals and couples to cope with all the problems and difficulties associated with fertility treatment and to navigate the difficult life decisions that often accompany it.  Morris Psychological Group, P.A. provides therapy for individuals, couples and groups.

The wish to have a baby is a normal and natural human desire. Psychotherapy can restore dignity to a couple’s pursuit of pregnancy, childbirth and parenthood.