We understand your job is hard

Healthcare workers at fertility clinics often experience chronic stress resulting from the intense emotional experiences their patients endure such as reproductive and anticipatory grief, shame, depression and anxiety.

The high emotional content of consultations involved in the management of infertile couples is a contributing factor to the stress [found at IVF centres]. The unpredictable outcome of the treatment is another major stress‐inducing agent, more likely to evoke feelings of depression.

We understand your job is hard

Healthcare workers at fertility clinics often experience chronic stress resulting from the intense emotional experiences their patients endure such as reproductive and anticipatory grief, shame, depression and anxiety.

The high emotional content of consultations involved in the management of infertile couples is a contributing factor to the stress [found at IVF centres]. The unpredictable outcome of the treatment is another major stress‐inducing agent, more likely to evoke feelings of depression.

How does The Together Project support you and your staff?

We offer monthly support groups where staff can learn tools and communication skills to increase their ability to care for patients experiencing difficulties coping with treatment. These groups also provide a safe space for healthcare workers to process their own feelings and emotional needs.

Individual support and navigation of resources for healthcare workers  with secondary traumatic stress (STS) from exposure to patients who have experienced grief and/or trauma.

Research

Literature

  1. A study published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing titled “Burnout and job satisfaction among nursing professionals” found that high levels of burnout among nurses were associated with decreased job satisfaction, increased turnover rates, and negative impacts on patient care. (Source: Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2016)
  2. Research conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has highlighted the prevalence of burnout among healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, with significant implications for patient care and healthcare organizations. (Source: NIH)

Patients

What We Offer

We provide an evidence-based group therapy approach to support individuals going through their reproductive journey.

We use a thoughtful curriculum based on the ACT theoretical framework to help those undergoing assisted reproductive technology cope with stress, grief, anticipatory anxiety, guilt, shame, despair, reproductive trauma, infertility, and pregnancy loss.

Our services include access to evidence-based group therapy, promoting family-centered care by ensuring all patients have access to specialized mental health support. Groups are structured around an ACT-based curriculum that provides patients with practical skills to handle anticipatory anxiety, grief, and depression. They also include comprehensive psychoeducation about the impact of infertility on mental health, relationships, and overall daily functioning.

Why Is Mental Health Important For Fertility Patients?

Studies have found a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders, particularly depression and anxiety, among women seeking fertility treatment. Chen et al. (2004) discovered that 40% of women visiting a fertility center for the first time had a psychiatric disorder, with anxiety being the most common, followed by depression. Similarly, Volgsten et al. (2008) found that 31% of IVF patients had a psychiatric diagnosis, mainly depression. However, only 21% of women with psychiatric disorders were receiving psychological treatment. Pasch et al. (2016) reported that among 352 women seeking infertility treatment, 56.5% scored in the clinical range for depression, while 75% scored in the clinical range for anxiety.

Additionally, a notable percentage of individuals seeking fertility treatment may experience suicidal ideation (SI) or have attempted suicide. Shani et al. (2016) found that 9.4% of women attending an infertility/IVF clinic reported experiencing suicidal ideation or attempts.

Evidence-Based Sources

Domar, A. D., Rooney, K. L., & Wiegand, B. (2015). Stress and infertility: Women’s responses to a randomized controlled trial of a psychological intervention. Fertility and Sterility, 104(1), 215-220.

Shani, A.,Yelena., & Sami., H et.al ,(2016) A.Suicidal risk among infertile women undergoing in-vitro fertilization: Incidence and risk factors. Psychiatry Research. Volume 240. Psychiatry Research, 237, 57-61.

De Berardis, D., Fornaro, M., Orsolini, L., Valchera, A., Carano, A., Vellante, F., … & Perna, G. (2014). Alexithymia, resilience, somatization, and psychological distress in patients with tension-type headache (TTH). Clinical Therapeutics, 165(3), e276-e281.

Pasch, L. A., Gregorich, S. E., Katz, P. P., Millstein, S. G., Nachtigall, R. D., Bleil, M. E., … & Adler, N. E. (2016). Psychological distress and in vitro fertilization outcome. Fertility and Sterility, 105(1), 159-166.

Volgsten, H., Skoog Svanberg, A., Ekselius, L., Lundkvist, O., & Sund

Chen, C. H., Wang, J. Y., Lin, Y. J., Lin, I. M., & Kuo, P. H. (2004). Effects of yoga on stress, stress adaption, and heart rate variability among mental health professionals—a randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 9, 1-9.