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Tracy: What attracted you to this kind of work?
Coach: I've been in private practice as a psychologist in Atlanta for 16 years. About eight years ago, I realized that a number of my clients were struggling with infertility. The reasons for their infertility problems were varied: endometriosis, male factor, genetic issues, probably undiagnosed PCOS. My heart was breaking for these women who wanted a baby so badly. As their treatment progressed, their lives became so disrupted and they each became very discouraged. At that point, I thought, why not put all of them together in a group and see if it would be helpful.
The group of eight had a wonderful connection with each other. All of the difficulties of infertility treatment were discussed, but more importantly, the group provided a place to talk about how hard it is to sit in a waiting room; how difficult to make decisions with a partner when he may think very differently about the decision than you; the constant grief and loss; the stress of family gatherings.
In the end all of the women got babies in their lives - two adopted and the other six eventually birthed babies - two through IVF and the rest with Clomid and IUI. I believe that the support and processing that took place in our group made a huge difference.
Since then I've worked with many infertility clients. Sometimes I work with couples, sometimes in groups and sometimes just with the woman. I love the work because I think that everyone who wants a baby in their lives should have one. And the women in infertility treatment are going absolutely the extra mile to make this happen.
I especially love the coaching work. As I have learned over the years, one of the consequences of infertility treatment is isolation. When you have to be exposed all the time to families with babies; when you are constantly asked: "When are you going to start a family?"; and when getting in a car means going for yet another test, then getting in touch with your coach to get support over the telephone can be such a comfort and a help.
Working over the telephone individually and in teleclass groups allows me to be in touch with infertility clients all over the country and the world. The great advantage for the client is that she or the couple can be part of a group of people from all over, sharing the same struggle. And, of course, my job is to help provide perspective and positive coping skills to meet that struggle."
© Tracy Morris
