NYC Therapy for Fertility Challenges, IVF, & Infertility
Takeaway: If you’re struggling with fertility challenges, know that you’re not alone. Fertility challenges counseling can offer a compassionate, supportive space for you to process your experiences and explore ways to improve your mental health in the midst of your fertility journey. At Madison Square Psychotherapy, our licensed therapists offer specialized therapy services for clients navigating IVF, infertility, and related issues. Meet our team here and reach out once you’re ready to get started.
Meet our team
Janel Coleman, LMSW
Offers infertility counseling ✔
Credentials: Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
Location: New York City (in-person at Madison Square Psychotherapy)
Virtual therapy: Available for clients throughout New York and New Jersey
Kristin Anderson, LMSW
Offers infertility counseling ✔
Credentials: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Location: New York City (in-person at Madison Square Psychotherapy)
Virtual therapy: Available for clients throughout New York, New Jersey, and Florida
Concerns we can offer support for
Grief, loss, and depression around infertility or failed cycles
Anxiety and stress during medical treatments like IVF or other infertility treatments
Emotional impact of repeated testing, waiting, and uncertainty
Strain on relationships or intimacy related to your fertility journey
Isolation and feelings of being “left behind” as others get pregnant or grow families
Identity, self-worth and self-esteem concerns tied to feeling like a "professional patient" in fertility
Coping with difficult emotions or uncertainty related to egg freezing, genetic testing, screening decisions, or third party reproduction
Coping with the pain of seeing pregnancy announcements or other parents-to-be
Processing decisions about next fertility treatment steps and family building options, including reproductive medicine treatments like IVF, IUI, donor options, or stopping treatment altogether
Navigating communication and relationships with partners, family, and friends who may not understand the difficulty of your fertility journey
What to expect from the therapy process
Therapy offers a steady, supportive environment to land during what can be a very uncertain time. It’s confidential, nonjudgmental, and focused on helping you make sense of what’s happening, both emotionally and practically. By working with a licensed therapist who specializes in infertility issues, you’re allowing yourself to be supported in finding ways to cope and begin to feel more like yourself again. Early on, we’ll talk about where you are in the process, what you’ve been carrying emotionally, and what kind of emotional support you need most right now, especially if you are dealing with anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns.
We’ll create a space where you can talk openly and explore the grief, anxiety depression, frustration, and the pressure to hold it all together.
You’ll learn concrete tools for managing stress, regulating emotions, and staying grounded during cycles of waiting and uncertainty.
We’ll explore how fertility challenges may be affecting your relationships and sense of self.
When helpful, we can also look at communication tools and coping strategies for your partner or support system.
Therapy isn’t about finding quick answers. It’s about helping you feel empowered, and more in control of what you can manage, and less alone in what you can’t.
How therapy can help
Making sense of complex emotions
So many women find that fertility struggles often come with a mix of sadness, anger, guilt, grief and hope (sometimes all in the same day). Therapy gives you space to process these emotions without judgment or pressure to “stay positive.” It’s a place to provide support, name what you’re feeling, understand how big life transitions like this are affecting you, and begin to make meaning in the midst of so much uncertainty.
Learning tools to manage stress and anxiety
The waiting, appointments, and constant decisions about treatment options can feel overwhelming. When working with an infertility therapist, you’ll learn concrete tools to manage stress, whether that’s grounding techniques, mindfulness practices, or strategies for coping with triggers like test results or social situations. These skills can help you feel a greater sense of calm and control day to day. You'll also have the opportunity to be connected with additional resources, whether that be group therapy, peer support options, or other tools.
Supporting your relationships
Infertility can strain even the strongest relationships and many couples find their relationships impacted by a struggle to have a child. An infertility counselor can help you and your partner discuss concerns about fears, hopes, and the emotional toll of treatment more openly. It can also support you in setting boundaries with family or friends who may not understand what you’re going through.
Rebuilding trust in yourself
When your body or plans don’t cooperate the way you hoped, it’s easy to lose trust in yourself. An infertility therapist can help you reconnect with your sense of self, rebuild self esteem, and make decisions that align with your values, whether that means continuing treatment, taking a break, or exploring other paths to pregnancy, parenthood or other fulfillment.
FAQs about counseling for fertility issues
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When you're trying to find infertility therapists, you might feel a bit lost in the sea of options. It's important to know there’s no singular “best” type of therapy for infertility. What matters most is finding a licensed therapist who understands not only the emotional challenges and relational weight of infertility therapy but also has experience with various infertility cases, and can create space for you that feels safe and steady to explore different treatment options . Approaches like CBT, psychodynamic therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and mindfulness-based work can all be helpful, whether you’re processing grief, managing anxiety, or coping with uncertainty. The most effective infertility counseling is less about the specific modality and more about feeling truly supported by mental health professionals who meets you where you are and helps you find your footing again.
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It’s completely understandable to feel deep sadness when you’re facing infertility or fertility treatment. The constant uncertainty, waiting, and loss of control can take a real emotional toll on your well being, leading to feelings of depression or anxiety. There’s no “right” way to cope but you should know that there are ways to care for your well being in the midst of it all.
Give yourself permission to feel sad without rushing to move past it.
Lean on grounding routines like walks, journaling, or quiet time away from fertility talk.
Stay connected with people who can listen without trying to fix it, whether that be loved ones or something structured like support groups.
Practice small acts of self-care that remind you your body and mind deserve gentleness.
Working with an infertility therapist in New York City can help you process these emotions at your own pace and build tools to steady yourself through the ups and downs.
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It can be hard to know what to say or do when someone you care about is going through infertility or having difficulty to conceive. You may see them dealing with anxiety depression and feel unsure who you can show up for them as they're experiencing infertility. You may worry about saying the wrong thing or feel helpless watching them struggle. Small, thoughtful gestures can make a big difference.
Listen more than you give advice.
Avoid offering quick fixes or comparisons.
Check in without asking for updates on treatment or pregnancy.
Offer practical help like meals, company at appointments, or a distraction when needed.
Make sure to keep in mind they're a whole person, rather than just the physical issues they are experiencing
Acknowledge their pain rather than trying to make it smaller.
Therapy can also help you learn how to show up with empathy and communicate in ways that truly support your loved one.
Start mental health therapy for IVF & infertility today
We know how difficult it can be as a fertility client, looking to build a treatment team. If you're looking for a licensed therapist to help support you, reach out today to get matched with a therapist who will be there with you, every step of the way.
Ready to get started?