Counseling and Couples Therapy for Infertile Couples
When a couple wants to have children but cannot conceive, they may experience a wide variety of emotions ranging from anger and confusion to sadness and jealousy and fear. These emotions can undoubtedly impact the relationship; partners may feel resentful towards one another, and they may struggle with healthy communication during this trying time.
Counseling and couples therapy for infertile couples offers a safe and supportive space to navigate these difficult experiences. Couples therapy for infertility focuses on processing painful emotions, identifying healthy ways to cope with ambiguity, loss, or other related stress, and working together to move forward.
The Unique Emotional Challenges Associated with Infertility
Infertility affects every couple differently. Some couples are aware of their struggles before they begin attempting to conceive. Others are unaware. Sometimes, it’s an issue of female infertility– other times, it’s a male issue. Some experience a series of traumatic losses. Others go on to deliver healthy babies.
Regardless of where you are in your infertility journey, it’s normal to feel many intense emotions during this time. It’s also normal to struggle with knowing what to do with these emotions. Unfortunately, many couples find themselves arguing during this time. They may compare themselves to other couples. They may have regrets about decisions made in the past, and they may have fears about future issues that could arise in the future.
Infertility can feel isolating and lonely. Loved ones may not always understand your experience. In fact, even friends and family with the best intentions may inadvertently hurt your feelings. Counseling and couples therapy for infertile couples often includes learning strategies for managing the distress or disrespect that may arise from other people’s reactions.
Counseling and Couples Therapy for Infertile Couples
Counseling and couples therapy for infertile couples addresses the unique emotional challenges you and your partner may be facing.
No topic is off-limits. Indeed, infertility couples therapy often means exploring sensitive and taboo subjects related to:
- Sex
- Resentment
- Jealousy
- Changed dreams
- Profound loss
Infertility psychological therapy is not about curing infertility. For some couples, conceiving a child may not be the viable end goal. Instead, counseling and couples therapy for infertile couples entails finding a sense of acceptance for your current circumstances. It may also include developing a roadmap for healthy communication and coping throughout this difficult time.
Counseling and couples therapy for infertile couples is crucial because you and your partner need to learn how to express and explore your feelings related to infertility.
Undoubtedly, issues associated with infertility can be connected to other relational issues like:
- Finances
- Physical health
- Trust
- Intimacy
- General sense of companionship
Infertility group therapy can be helpful in addressing some of these concerns, but individual or counseling and couples therapy for infertile couples offers you the invaluable opportunity to focus exclusively on your struggles.
Getting the Help You Need
Infertility doesn’t have to destroy your relationship. If you and your partner struggle to feel connected during this time, counseling and couples therapy for infertile couples can help you get back on track. You both need to support and lean on each other, and constant stress and conflict will take a tremendous toll on your emotional well-being.
At Lumos Counseling PC, we offer dynamic support for your unique struggles. Rather than group therapy for infertility, individual therapy provides tailored support related to your specific emotions and experiences. We are here for you during this challenging time.
Counseling and couples therapy for infertile couples can help you feel more supported and connected. Contact us today to get started.
Infertility Couples Therapy
There is no doubt that infertility can create immense tension, resentment, and disappointment. Whether a couple has been trying to conceive for a few months or several years, the stress can feel insurmountable. Although research shows that 1 in 8 couples experience infertility, the topic has remained relatively taboo in modern society. As a result, many couples feel alone and isolated in their struggles.
Therapy provides a supportive and professional environment for couples to process their emotions and restore their sense of connection. Couples therapy for infertility addresses relevant issues pertaining to loss, sense of identity, sex and intimacy, and healthy communication.
Why Infertility Couples Therapy Is Beneficial
Infertility couples therapy often tackles the difficult issues associated with infertility, pregnancy, relationships, and marriage. Infertility issues vary among both males and females. Some individuals have medical conditions that they know will affect their fertility. However, up to 20 percent of couples face unexplained infertility. Any of these variables can be challenging for couples to navigate.
Couples often find that infertility impacts the quality of their relationship. Sex may feel like a chore, they might be diligently tracking ovulation, or going through cycles of IVF. Some couples experience one or more miscarriages and all losses can feel incredibly traumatic. It can be difficult to talk about these topics, but therapy helps start those challenging conversations.
Additionally, infertility and psychological therapy for couples usually entails a combination of:
- Exploring feelings related to anger, sadness, fear, loneliness, and resentment
- Addressing co-occurring mental health or substance use issues if applicable
- Strengthening communication
- Providing education and outside resources for support
- Increasing the sense of acceptance for the current reality
Rather than group therapy for infertility, infertility couples therapy offers full focus and attention on the couple. Couples have the opportunity to express exactly what’s on their minds. The treatment is specifically tailored to their unique wants and needs.
What To Expect During Infertility Couples Therapy
Counseling and couple therapy for infertile couples isn’t just about infertility. It’s also about your emotional, physical, and relational health.
In your first infertility couples therapy session, your therapist will ask relevant questions related to your relationship and each of your personal backgrounds. You will be encouraged to share the strengths and weaknesses within your dynamic. You may spend some time talking about your infertility journey, how it impacts you, and how you feel it has affected the quality of your relationship.
Infertility couples therapy is nonjudgmental, compassionate, and also proactive. While sessions may vary from couple to couple, you should expect to have free reign to talk about what’s on your mind. You and your partner will be encouraged to actively listen to one another when the other person speaks. Your therapist may highlight some of the patterns observed in your dynamic. This insight will help you both learn new ways of relating and connecting with one another.
The length of treatment for infertility couples therapy doesn’t adhere to a strict timeline. All couples have differing needs, and these needs may depend on the infertility process itself. Your therapist will collaborate with you to determine the optimal treatment for you and your partner.
Closing Thoughts
Infertility group therapy can be helpful. However, infertility couples therapy addresses the unique needs and struggles existing in your relationship. You don’t have to worry about competing for time or sharing your thoughts in front of several other people.
At Lumos Counseling PC, we understand the unique struggles and fears associated with infertility. We are here for you and your partner. Contact us today to get started.
Your Guide to Male Infertility and Mental Health
Research shows that up to 15 percent of couples may struggle with infertility. Male infertility can be related to low sperm production, abnormal sperm function or blocking, lifestyle choices, and other chronic health problems. Some health professionals can pinpoint the cause of infertility. However, for many couples, the cause remains unexplained or unknown.
Male infertility and mental health can be difficult to understand. Societal stigmas on both infertility and masculinity can create tremendous shame, anger, and even resistance in both men and women. That said, the mental effects of infertility on men should not be taken lightly.
Male Infertility and Mental Health: Special Considerations
While infertility is a taboo issue for some, research traditionally slants towards females. Thus, studies on male infertility and mental health remain relatively limited. With that in mind, the mental impact of infertility can undoubtedly take a toll on men.
Male Infertility: Masculine Stigmatization
In modern society, men tend to have high expectations for themselves and others to be strong, tough, and overall masculine. These massages create pressure on men to “perform” sexually for their partners. As a result, some people perceive fertility problems as an indicator of sexual dysfunction.
Naturally, this stigma can intensify any insecurities and fears related to male infertility and mental health. If the man does struggle with sexual issues, infertility can heighten feelings of shame, guilt, or anger. Even if sexual dysfunction is not present, men may feel preoccupied with the assumptions others will hold.
Male Infertility: Relationship Problems
Both female and male infertility and mental health can be taxing on couples. Partners may experience resentment or frustration with one another. One person may blame the other for infertility problems—which can perpetuate negative communication and toxic feelings of shame.
Sexual problems often arise. Timed sex may start feeling more like a “chore” rather than a loving, intimate act. Finally, money can become a stressor. Couples undergoing infertility treatments may experience financial complications to pay for medical care.
Male Infertility: Depression and Anxiety
When it comes to male infertility and mental health, it is not uncommon for men to struggle with anxious or depressive symptoms. The mental health effects vary from individual to individual, but they may include:
- Pervasive feelings of guilt and shame
- Lingering sadness or apathy
- Persistent feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness
- Problems at work or school
- Disconnect and isolation from relationships
- Intensified anger or irritability
- Increased substance use
- Sleep issues
- Obsessive thoughts about the past or future
- Appetite and/or weight changes
- Thoughts of death or suicide
If men already struggle with preexisting symptoms of depression and anxiety, the impact of male infertility and mental health may exacerbate them.
Treating Male Infertility Mental Health Issues
Male infertility and mental health don’t need to be a silent battle. If you or a loved one is struggling, therapy can provide a supportive outlet for learning how to cope with such distress.
At Lumos Counseling PC, we are here for you. You don’t have to feel hopeless or disconnected any longer. Contact us today to get started.
Depression and Relationship Counseling: What to Expect
Depression is one of the most common disorders in the world. It impacts people of all ages, demographics, and backgrounds. And, if left untreated, it can cause serious problems for both individuals and their families.
Depression and relationship counseling can provide a dynamic pathway to healing. If you or a loved one is struggling with depression, this work can help you improve how you communicate, connect, and support one another during this time.
Let’s get into what you need to know about relationship counseling and depression.
How Depression Impacts Relationships
Many people believe that depression only affects themselves. This belief simply is not true. Depression can bleed into all areas of your life. We are social creatures, which means that our moods and actions impact the people we love.
In depression and relationship counseling, you will learn more about the aftermath of your mental health. For example, maybe your depression causes you to isolate or withdraw from loved ones. Perhaps it creates a sense of disproportionate shame or guilt, which makes it hard for others to connect or comfort you.
Relationships are an essential part of our well-being. When our relationships suffer, depression tends to worsen. Likewise, when depressive symptoms emerge, we tend to struggle in our relationships.
Depression and Relationship Counseling: What Happens In Therapy?
You’re tired of struggling. You feel like you and your partner can’t agree or connect, and it seems as if you two keep fighting the same fights. You’re considering depression and relationship counseling, but you aren’t sure what to expect from this kind of therapy.
Like with all mental health treatment, the counseling goals for depression will largely vary depending on your unique circumstances. During your first session, your therapist will assess your mental health histories, relationship problems, and overall goals for change. This assessment will help your therapist create a reasonable depression and relationship counseling treatment plan.
Such treatment goals may include:
- Increasing awareness of the impact depression has on your relationship
- Strengthening communication skills
- Referring to other resources (couples therapy, support groups, medication evaluation)
- Learning and implementing healthy coping skills for mood management
- Increasing intimacy within the relationship
- Discussing how past relationship experiences or traumas impact the current relationship
Depending on the type of therapy and psychological approach, each clinician utilizes different depression counseling techniques. For example, you may practice different communication styles while in session. You may discuss and reassess your own expectations within the relationship. Further, you may be assigned certain tasks to work on during the week.
Depression and Relationship Counseling: Start Feeling Better
Depression and relationship counseling can help you understand both yourself and your relationships better. After all, we all want to be good partners, friends, and parents. However, your depression may make these feats feel impossible.
By taking care of yourself, you open more space to take care of people that you love. That, in turn, strengthens and improves your relationship satisfaction.
Are you ready to get counseling therapy for depression? Help and relief are available! Contact us today for a free initial consultation!