Support Group or Therapy? Does it help?

Have any of you ladies attended a support group for IF- or seen a therapist for it?

Was it helpful?

My RE is holding a free support group session for his patients on Monday, and I am considering going..

Message edited 6/17/2011 2:16:23 PM.

Re: Support Group or Therapy? Does it help?

We have our monthly IF GTGs!!! I found those great!! Feel free to come, we have one tonight at my house!! Let me know if you're interested and I'll FM you my address!!!

Re: Support Group or Therapy? Does it help?

yes! i haven't been to group therapy but i see my own therapist every week without fail. i used to see her years ago and then stopped for a few years. around the due date of my first loss (last year), i called her b/c i was a wreck. i can honestly say i couldn't go through this process without her. now that we've started IUI's it is more helpful than ever. if i had opportunity to go to a group session, i would definitely do it....it would be nice to talk to people who really "get it".

Re: Support Group or Therapy? Does it help?

Posted by PennyCat

We have our monthly IF GTGs!!! I found those great!! Feel free to come, we have one tonight at my house!! Let me know if you're interested and I'll FM you my address!!!

Re: Support Group or Therapy? Does it help?

Posted by PennyCat

We have our monthly IF GTGs!!! I found those great!! Feel free to come, we have one tonight at my house!! Let me know if you're interested and I'll FM you my address!!!

Re: Support Group or Therapy? Does it help?

I do see a Therapist once a week. I used to see her years ago and after my loss I needed to go back. I do enjoy the private session once a week. I also use this site as a huge form of support. All the girls are wonderful. Between the two, I feel supported

Re: Support Group or Therapy? Does it help?

Posted by Jax430

Posted by PennyCat

We have our monthly IF GTGs!!! I found those great!! Feel free to come, we have one tonight at my house!! Let me know if you're interested and I'll FM you my address!!!

This is my support group! It's nothing formal with a therapist running it or anything, but just being with other women who know what I'm going through and sharing experiences is immeasurably helpful.

Re: Support Group or Therapy? Does it help?

Posted by MrsPorkChop

Posted by Jax430

Posted by PennyCat

We have our monthly IF GTGs!!! I found those great!! Feel free to come, we have one tonight at my house!! Let me know if you're interested and I'll FM you my address!!!

This is my support group! It's nothing formal with a therapist running it or anything, but just being with other women who know what I'm going through and sharing experiences is immeasurably helpful.

Ladies i would love to attend one- but I live in CT (originally from LI) so it would be super difficult for me after work.

Re: Support Group or Therapy? Does it help?

I actually go to a hypnotherapist that specializes in IF. I started goign back in October last year. My IF history is long and I might be at the end of this long journey (not for the better). And I think I would be insane if I didn't have my therapy.

Re: Support Group or Therapy? Does it help?

I found it to be extremely helpful.

When I was TTC I went through Cornell in the City. They offered free support groups once a week and every now and then I would go. It was nice to just hear from women going through all kinds of infertility issues. They had a therapist there to listen and it was always a small group so you really had time to share if you wanted to.

Also, I had gone a few times to see their therapist there...( they have 3 Psychologists who all specialize in infetility & miscarriages.) I needed to get out my feelings... I would have so many emotions going through my mind at any time so it was nice to have someone to listen and who can relate(bc this is all she works with is IF patients). I needed to know that the way I was feeling was normal.

One thing my Therapist shared was studies show that Infetility& miscarriages have the same emotional toll on a person as a death of an immediate family member. It helped me to realize it was ok to feel that way I was feeling at that time. IT is a Traumatic time in a persons life to go through IF. Wether or not you get support from LIfamilies, a suppot group or a therapist....I DEF ENCOURAGE anyone to just take care of yourself during this time.

Goodluck!!

Message edited 6/17/2011 10:20:53 PM.

Re: Support Group or Therapy? Does it help?

I have been seeing a therapist since January and I go to our monthly GTGs. I think they were the reason I finally got my first BFP after being on this journey for 7 yrs. My therapist is great and now is helping me deal with all the emotions I have with now being pregnant. I can honestly say the monthly support group from the women I have met here have truly helped me too. I realized that I was not alone in this journey and that we all have the same emotions. I got support and encouragement that I never got when going through this alone. It's the little messages of how are you and the and that would make me feel so much better. It was looking forward to seeing women that know you better then your own family because for a while you were define by IF. I truly think it is a great idea to see someone or join a support group. It does help!!
Good Luck!!

Re: Support Group or Therapy? Does it help?

Posted by bride07


I found it to be extremely helpful.

When I was TTC I went through Cornell in the City. They offered free support groups once a week and every now and then I would go. It was nice to just hear from women going through all kinds of infertility issues. They had a therapist there to listen and it was always a small group so you really had time to share if you wanted to.

Also, I had gone a few times to see their therapist there...( they have 3 Psychologists who all specialize in infetility & miscarriages.) I needed to get out my feelings... I would have so many emotions going through my mind at any time so it was nice to have someone to listen and who can relate(bc this is all she works with is IF patients). I needed to know that the way I was feeling was normal.

One thing my Therapist shared was studies show that Infetility& miscarriages have the same emotional toll on a person as a death of an immediate family member. It helped me to realize it was ok to feel that way I was feeling at that time. IT is a Traumatic time in a persons life to go through IF. Wether or not you get support from LIfamilies, a suppot group or a therapist....I DEF ENCOURAGE anyone to just take care of yourself during this time.

Goodluck!!

Re: Support Group or Therapy? Does it help?

I have my first therapy appt tomorrow. My friend, who also has infertility issues, uses this woman and highly recommends her.

I'm looking forward to having some one-on-one time with someone who can really hear me out (and I won't feel guilty for the 'woe is me' conversation, as I often do when talking w/ friends).

Re: Support Group or Therapy? Does it help?

I can't say enough good things about seeing a therapist while struggling with infertility. After suffering an ectopic and a miscarriage I truly believe my weekly therapy sessions got me through that very dark period. Even now, being pregnant, I continue to see my therapist. After dealing with IF so long, I have been a bundle of nerves with this pregnancy. My therapist has helped me to savor the moments and enjoy this time in my life.

Whether you choose one-on-one therapy or a group setting, you will only benefit from it. I HIGHLY recommend it.

Re: Support Group or Therapy? Does it help?

I joined a support group last September and it is the best thing that has happened in the 4 years I have been ttc. It was a professionally led group, and we recently all decided to stop paying the therapist and have begun going to dinner weekly, so much cheaper. These women are so supportive and have helped me so much with my outlook on everything. I highly recommend joining a support group.