Building your family.
Third Party Reproduction Evaluations
I am trained in providing psychological reproduction evaluations per the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) guidelines.
Whether you’re getting ready for IVF treatment or need a gestational carrier psychological evaluation, I can help.
Consultations and evaluations with a mental health professional are often required by fertility clinics before beginning treatment and are considered a best practice. Beyond meeting requirements, these services are also beneficial in ensuring that you are matched with the donor and/or gestational carrier that is the best fit for you and your family.
Embryo, Egg and Sperm Donor Psychological Evaluations.
Not all psychologists work in testing and assessment. I provide reproduction evaluations with a commitment to the psychological well-being of all parties. I have received advanced training in using the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI), focusing on sperm, egg and embryo donor screening. The purpose of psychological assessment of a gamete donor is to ensure they meets the guidelines for donation established by ASMR. For anonymous egg and sperm donor screenings, the client will participate in a clinical interview and complete the PAI. If a donor is married or has a live-in partner, the spouse or partner will also be required to attend part of the meeting. A report will be forwarded to the appropriate agency or clinic. Recommendations are based on emotional stability and maturity, psychological functioning and ability to provide informed consent. Screenings are done via HIPAA compliant Zoom.
If you are using a donor egg, sperm, or embryo, then this evaluation is required for the donor. If you are using a directed donor who you know, you may set this up directly. If the donor is an acquaintance, friend or family member, an additional joint meeting between recipients, donor and the donor’s spouse or partner is required. In this meeting, we will discuss disclosure, disposition of unused embryos and decision-making authority. If you are using an anonymous donor, check with your clinic or donor organization, as they may be handling this evaluation. If you are an organization seeking this evaluation for a potential donor, I am happy to assist you in that process as well.
Gestational Carrier Psychological Evaluations.
I have also received advanced training in using the PAI for gestational carrier screenings. If you are using a gestational carrier (someone who will carry the fetus to term, but is not donating their eggs) on your fertility journey, then this evaluation is required for the carrier. The purpose of psychological screening of gestational carriers is to ensure they meets the guidelines established by ASMR and to ensure the psychological well-being of both the potential carrier and the intended parents. During a screening, the potential carrier will participate in a clinical interview and complete the PAI. If applicable, the gestational carrier’s spouse or live-in partner will be required to attend the meeting and may also complete the PAI. If the potential carrier is a friend or family member, a joint meeting is required to ensure all participants agree on critical issues, such as the number of embryos transferred, termination and relationship between the parties. A report will be forwarded to the appropriate agency or clinic. Recommendations are based on emotional stability and maturity, understanding of the emotional aspects of the process, psychological functioning and ability to provide informed consent. Screenings are done via HIPAA compliant Zoom.
If you wish to use a gestational carrier who you already know and have a relationship with, you may set this up directly. If you are using a gestational carrier found through a third-party organization we suggest you check with them about this evaluation, as they may be handling it on their end already. If you are an organization seeking this evaluation for a potential gestational carrier, I am happy to assist you in that process as well.
Intended Parent Consultations.
The decision to proceed with treatment using donor egg, sperm, or embryo is complex. Many reproductive medical practices require gamete recipients and the intended parent(s) to meet with a mental health professional skilled in reproductive psychology prior to their IVF cycle. This is an opportunity to discuss your fertility journey and plans with a qualified mental health professional. Intended parent consultations are a 1-2 hour psycho-educational meeting, and the topics covered include decisions about if, how, and when you disclose about third party reproduction. We will also address some of the critical decision points along the way to ensure, if applicable, that you and your partner agree with the family building plan. Additional topics include donor/surrogate selection, future contact with the donor and/or surrogate, feelings about loss of genetic connection the child, or readiness for using donor material, as well as decisions about remaining embryos and how to avoid common pitfalls of the process. Please feel free to bring any questions you have to this meeting. If you are using a known donor or carrier, an additional meeting with all parties is required to ensure everyone agrees with the plan and to address any potential differences. After the session, I will create a brief report for your physician/clinic. This is not an evaluation to pass or fail, but rather part of an ongoing conversation about this next big transition and step in your life.