Infertility Counselling/Emotional Support
Infertility can be a devastating experience. The sadness, loss, frustration, desperation and loneliness associated with infertility can be overwhelming and all-encompassing. Infertility is often misunderstood by the “fertile world”, causing individuals and couples experiencing infertility to feel further isolated, marginalized and bereft. Research has shown that a diagnosis of infertility can be as stressful as a diagnosis of cancer or HIV, yet for many, finding support and understanding is often difficult in one’s everyday life, even amongst their closest friends and family. This is where counselling from a mental health professional who specializes in infertility can make a world of difference.
Counselling can be one visit or several depending on the needs of the client. Many people find that they need ongoing support as they navigate treatment and family building options. Others find that they prefer to have support when they are on a break from treatment and feel like they aren’t “doing anything”. Still others find that the infertility experience has brought up many other difficult issues from their childhood, family of origin, other experiences of loss or grief or past relationships. Lois offers more extensive therapy for these individuals and couples to work through their challenges.
Each client can be assured that infertility counselling sessions with Lois will be client-centered, confidential and non-judgmental. Lois strives to provide a warm, safe and trusting counselling experience where growth and healing can take place, and where the journey to optimal wellness can be achieved.
Infertility can be a devastating experience. The sadness, loss, frustration, desperation and loneliness associated with infertility can be overwhelming and all-encompassing. Infertility is often misunderstood by the “fertile world”, causing individuals and couples experiencing infertility to feel further isolated, marginalized and bereft. Research has shown that a diagnosis of infertility can be as stressful as a diagnosis of cancer or HIV, yet for many, finding support and understanding is often difficult in one’s everyday life, even amongst their closest friends and family. This is where counselling from a mental health professional who specializes in infertility can make a world of difference.
Counselling can be one visit or several depending on the needs of the client. Many people find that they need ongoing support as they navigate treatment and family building options. Others find that they prefer to have support when they are on a break from treatment and feel like they aren’t “doing anything”. Still others find that the infertility experience has brought up many other difficult issues from their childhood, family of origin, other experiences of loss or grief or past relationships. Lois offers more extensive therapy for these individuals and couples to work through their challenges.
Each client can be assured that infertility counselling sessions with Lois will be client-centered, confidential and non-judgmental. Lois strives to provide a warm, safe and trusting counselling experience where growth and healing can take place, and where the journey to optimal wellness can be achieved.
Miscarriage Support
Miscarriage is also a devastating and isolating experience. You have lost a child, and with it, your hopes and dreams for that child and yourselves as a family. Women often feel marginalized, misunderstood and invalidated as they are told to “get over it” or “you can always have another one”. Most women will have ongoing feelings of sadness, isolation, anger, anxiety or guilt. Counselling and emotional support from a professional can provide a safe place where you can process your feelings of loss and grief, and help find ways to cope and move forward. Counselling can help you find validation for your loss, give you tools to help relationships with your family and friends and help you to find your way back to wellness as you journey through this difficult and painful event. Lois provides support whether your miscarriage was recent, you are experiencing repeat loss/recurrent miscarriage or whether your miscarriage was in your past and you find yourself struggling to come to terms with it. You do not have to suffer in silence or grieve for your baby alone. Counselling can make a huge difference.
Miscarriage is also a devastating and isolating experience. You have lost a child, and with it, your hopes and dreams for that child and yourselves as a family. Women often feel marginalized, misunderstood and invalidated as they are told to “get over it” or “you can always have another one”. Most women will have ongoing feelings of sadness, isolation, anger, anxiety or guilt. Counselling and emotional support from a professional can provide a safe place where you can process your feelings of loss and grief, and help find ways to cope and move forward. Counselling can help you find validation for your loss, give you tools to help relationships with your family and friends and help you to find your way back to wellness as you journey through this difficult and painful event. Lois provides support whether your miscarriage was recent, you are experiencing repeat loss/recurrent miscarriage or whether your miscarriage was in your past and you find yourself struggling to come to terms with it. You do not have to suffer in silence or grieve for your baby alone. Counselling can make a huge difference.
Infertility Consulting
Many individuals find the infertility process and its options to be daunting and overwhelming. There are many decisions to be made and each one has its pros and cons. Many individuals and couples find it helpful to seek an infertility consultation, from a professional outside of the medical system, to help them sort out their options in a constructive and hopeful manner. Lois provides infertility consultation to those who may be unsure of which step to take next, those who may be experiencing conflict or confusion with their partner about their options or those who may feel unsure about their medical care or who may wish an independent opinion on their situation from an independent professional. (Please note this is not a medical opinion)
Consultations can be one session or many depending upon the needs of the clients. Sessions can be individual or with one’s partner, or both.
Many individuals find the infertility process and its options to be daunting and overwhelming. There are many decisions to be made and each one has its pros and cons. Many individuals and couples find it helpful to seek an infertility consultation, from a professional outside of the medical system, to help them sort out their options in a constructive and hopeful manner. Lois provides infertility consultation to those who may be unsure of which step to take next, those who may be experiencing conflict or confusion with their partner about their options or those who may feel unsure about their medical care or who may wish an independent opinion on their situation from an independent professional. (Please note this is not a medical opinion)
Consultations can be one session or many depending upon the needs of the clients. Sessions can be individual or with one’s partner, or both.
Couples Counselling
Conceiving Wellness provides counselling for women who may not be experiencing any fertility issues but are seeking counselling with reference to other difficulties in their lives. Many women in their childbearing years find their lives have gotten "off track" and they have lost themselves in the busyness of their lives. Lois provides counselling relating to grief and loss, self-care, identity finding, family of origin issues, anxiety, depression and relationships.
Fees
The fee for service is $145.00 per session. Each session is 50 minutes to 1 hour long. Payment for service is due at the time of each scheduled appointment and a receipt will be issued. Fees or partial fees may be covered by a third party insurance provider through extended health benefit plans as Lois is a registered Social Worker. Fertility patients who are currently undergoing treatment and/or those with a recent miscarriage may qualify for reduced fees. Sliding scale fees (based on income) may be available under special circumstances. There is no HST or GST on counselling services.
