About Fertility Psychology

Most people think getting pregnant is easy.

So, when it doesn’t go as planned, people are shocked, scared, and unsure of themselves.

They feel alone.

And they know others don’t understand the challenges of choosing an alternative path to parenthood because no one ever really thinks about their ability to have a child – until they can’t.

1375968836It’s okay to show up as you are.

Perhaps you were advancing your education or career. Perhaps you didn’t find your person until later in life. Or a medical diagnosis changed the trajectory of your plans. Or maybe you were just having fun.

Whatever happened, whatever the reason, it doesn’t matter.

At the end of the day, you find yourself without the family you thought you would always have.

So, let’s talk about what is going on and how it is impacting your life.

Together, I will help you remove any of the fear, shame, sadness, and grief you are feeling, so we can finally create that space in your heart and mind that’s needed to move you forward to your path to parenthood.

My practice focuses on helping people with issues related to reproductive mental health, including infertility and postpartum. It was my own challenging journey to parenthood, combined with my own post-partum struggles, that led me to build a practice focused on these very same issues.

I serve men, women, couples, and individuals (hetero and same-sex) who long to be parents but have found their journey to be nothing but traumatic.

My practice is dedicated to helping people understand and accept their circumstances and then move forward with solutions to overcome their challenges and make changes, so they can move forward to reach their goals to live a life well-lived.

1682486290You’re on a journey into the unknown.

It’s natural to have fearful thoughts and feelings about what lies ahead. But those are just thoughts and feelings springing up from apprehension and the unknown. They’re not WHO you are!

I offer you a secure and welcoming environment characterized by mutual respect, unconditional understanding, and acceptance, so you can feel safe disclosing your most painful thoughts.

Look at our time together as a sanctuary away from the demands of your everyday life.

I like to keep it real and honest.

For each session, we can create a formal agenda, or we can start talking and see where it takes us.

I have a direct approach, so I might gently nudge you as needed to keep moving forward. But I’ll never push you to go somewhere you are not ready to explore.

I’m here to help you get past the sense of inadequacy, fear, or shame.

You are destined to live a life full of joy, meaning, and love – whether that means being a parent or not.

About Me

1717902718Getting into the world of fertility…

I started out working in the business world. Through a random (or was it?) occurrence, I started working in the world of fertility.

A few years later, I went through my own fertility struggles. I had my baby (at the age of 43!), and afterward went into deep and agonizing postpartum anxiety.

This experience strengthened my resolve to provide a safe space for others to process their emotions around pregnancy and building a family.

My educational background…

I got my bachelor’s degree (2000) and master’s degree (2002) in psychology from the University of Victoria (yes, I am Canadian).

I went on to earn my Ph.D. (2007) in industrial-organizational psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology.

When I’m not working…

You’ll usually find me playing dinosaurs on the floor with my toddler, listening to my husband belt out rock and roll tunes, or taking my dog out for doggy adventures.

Let’s take that leap together.

My approach to therapy is collaborative and solution-focused, using principles based in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. I will provide a safe, nonjudgmental, and supportive environment. Together, we will identify goals and work toward them step-by-step.

I know this journey can be scary. I know there can never be any guarantees. But I know this. You can and will feel whole again. You can and will live the life that you want to live – with or without the family.

I offer a free 20-minute consultation, so you can get to know me and determine if we are a good fit. I will answer your questions and give you my opinion on what a treatment plan might look like.