Counselling & Support

A fertility journey can often feel overwhelming and stressful. Taking the time to meet with a counsellor, alone or with a partner if you are in a relationship, can provide you with the support and tools you need to create emotional wellbeing during this time.

In counselling, we may discuss:

Individual and relationship concerns and reactions
Expectations about treatment
Life stressors and supports to draw on
Areas of emotional vulnerability
Coping strategies
Ongoing education and support throughout your treatment

TRIO recommends connecting with one of the following counsellors who have experience working with fertility patients. For IVF patients at TRIO it is mandatory to see a counsellor before treatment.

Counsellors

Erica Berman, PhD

Erica obtained a PhD in Exercise Sciences from the University of Toronto in 2005. While working in the research field, Erica’s own experience with miscarriage and infertility led her to become a counsellor in order to support others dealing with these issues. Erica went on to complete a Masters of Counselling Psychology and a special certificate in infertility counselling.

Along with her interest in infertility and family building for same-sex couples, Erica is passionate about healthy living. She has worked as a fitness instructor and personal trainer for 20 years, and enjoys helping clients to make positive changes to their lifestyles and health. Erica offers ‘walk’ therapy, along with traditional talk-therapy, for clients who want to combine the benefits of counselling with the physical and psychological benefits of exercise.

324 Bloor St W

p: 647-271-6364 to book an appointment.
e: erica@healthcounsellingtoronto.com
www.ericaberman.ca
www.konjacforlife.com

Please note that a minimum of 24 hours is required for cancellations, otherwise the full session fee will be charged. I do not send appointment reminders.

Dara Roth Edney, MSW, RSW

Dara has been a social worker since 2000, with a focus on reproduction. She is dedicated to work that is inclusive, empathetic, personalized and helpful, inspired by her own long journey with infertility, IVF and surrogacy. Dara compassionately supports people through the profound emotions of infertility and loss, and is equally committed to those using assisted reproduction due to sexual orientation, gender identity or relationship status. Her expertise includes individual and couple counselling, decision-making guidance and development of effective coping strategies. She conducts assessments for donors and surrogates, and provides counselling for those working with donors/surrogates. Dara facilitates support groups, is a regular speaker for LGBTQ and other community agencies and industry organizations, and is actively involved in research and advocacy. She is a member of the Ontario College of Social Workers and the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society, and offers in-person as well as video appointments.

For more information, go to www.informedfertility.ca

To book an appointment with Dara, email dara@informedfertility.ca or call 416-697-3191.

Amira Posner, MSW, RSW

Amira Posner is a Social Worker with a counselling practice geared to helping women, men and couples struggling with infertility. She provides support in dealing with emotional stress associated with infertility. Amira also facilitates the Mind-Body Fertility Group at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Toronto, ON.

Amira has her Masters in Social Work and is professionally trained as a hypnotherapist. It was Amira’s own personal experience with secondary infertility that was the catalyst behind Healing Infertility. Happily, her fertility journey ended joyfully with the birth of her twins conceived through IVF. The result of this experience encouraged Amira to dedicate herself to helping others learn how to reduce mind-body stress and cultivate new ways of relating to their fertility experience.

For more information visit www.healinginfertility.ca

Call 647-224-6933 to book an appointment. Or email amira@healinginfertility.ca

Lisa Shatford, PhD, C.Psych

Lisa began her career in infertility counselling in 1985 during a pre-doctoral clinical psychology internship in one of Canada’s first IVF programs at The London Health Sciences Centre. She then went on to serve as Staff Psychologist to the IVF program, and has been in private practice since 1990. Dr. Shatford has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Western Ontario. She is a member of the Canadian Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology, the Canadian Psychological Association, the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society, and their Canadian Counseling Special Interest Group.

Services provided by Dr. Shatford include counselling around the stress of infertility diagnosis, decision making about treatment options, coping with loss and disappointment, couples counselling re: the impact of infertility on the relationship, considering third party reproduction options, stopping treatment and moving on, discussing donor conception with the children. She provides the required consultations for donor treatment, psychological assessments for gestational carrier arrangements, and psychological testing where required.

drlisa@sympatico.ca

www.drlisashatford.com

Reina Zatylny, MSW, RSW

Reina understands many of the concerns that people face as they experience infertility, having gone through fertility issues herself. It’s her personal goal to help people stay emotionally healthy as they try to have a baby when it’s not working “the old fashioned way.”

As well as being a counsellor, Reina has also taught online courses through TAPE studies for professionals in affiliation with St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto. Reina has conducted original research about the psychological impacts of infertility on couples, and she has developed an innovative counselling tool to help couples cope with stresses in their relationships.

Reina is Co-Chairperson of our Ethics Committee. She is also a member of the Ontario College of Social Workers (OCSW), Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS), the International Infertility Counselling Organization (IICO) and EMDR Canada. Reina has a private practice with offices conveniently located in downtown Toronto, Thornhill and Scarborough.

You can view her website at www.reinazatylny.ca.

Call 416-540-5924 to book an appointment.

Online Support Groups

One in six Canadians faces infertility. Yet, we hear over and over that people feel that they face this journey alone. TRIO wants you to know that you are not alone. We offer a variety of online support groups where TRIO patients can connect with each other and participate in discussions lead by a TRIO counsellor.

Join Our Community

Phone:
416-506-0804
1-866-543-3046

Fax:
416-506-0600

Email:
info@triofertility.com

Main Location:
TRIO Fertility
655 Bay Street
Toronto, Ontario
11th and 18th floors

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