Workshops & Support Groups

The physical and emotional impact of a fertility journey can elicit feelings that range from joy and optimism, to being overwhelmed, isolated and confused. A fertility journey can evoke many emotions, and in some instances change every part of your daily routine. It can become a 24/7 priority and focus, which for some can feel all consuming.

This workshop will help participants assess the overall impact of their fertility journey. It will allow attendees to learn from and draw on the strength of others as it explores the bio-psycho-social impact, from diagnosis to delivery.

In this workshop, we will explore:

• The physical, emotional, and financial impact of accessing care and how to navigate through your fertility journey
• Coping strategies
• Understanding thoughts
• Explorations of feelings that include anxiety, stress, grief
• Self-care and empowerment
• Structure of routines
• Relationships
• Communication
• Assisting attendees in understanding the impact their fertility journey is having on them,
• their partner (if they have one), and their support system while recognizing they are not alone

These themes will be explored via

• Practitioner led inputs
• Worksheets, exercises, and resources
• Questions and answers
• Group work and facilitated conversations between participant

For more information, please email Lori at LoriMetz@ymail.com

For some, the thought of donor conception, surrogacy, and adoption to build their family was one that was anticipated, and for others, it was not. Regardless, there is a complexity of thoughts and emotions that deserve to be discussed to help the intended parent(s) cope and feel better equipped for this path to parenthood.

This workshop allows the intended parent(s) to come together to explore the current and future impact associated with this special relationship.

Topics discussed include:

• Exploration of the journey to donor, surrogacy, and adoption
• Navigating the physical, emotional, and financial impact of building your family through third-party reproduction
• Acknowledgement and significance of emotional impact anxiety, stress, grief
• Coping strategies, self-care and empowerment
• Exploration of the impact associated with third-party reproduction in all areas of your life

The workshop will also cover:

• What to consider when choosing an egg donor, a gestational carrier, and a surrogacy agency
• How to make thoughtful, confident decisions along the way
• Relationships and support systems
• Communication

These themes will be explored via:

• Worksheets
• Exercise and resources
• Breakout sessions
• Questions and answer

For more information, please email Lori at LoriMetz@ymail.com

Having your child through the assistance of 3rd party reproduction can include contemplation, excitement, “cautious” optimism, and concerns. After the child is born, there is no denying the love. While each parent knows their child would not be here without them, concerns and insecurities can build over the lack of genetic connection. Parents often report feelings of anxiety at the prospects of future conversations about how the child came into the world.

This workshop allows the participant to know they are ‘not alone’ and will provide a safe place to share and gain a greater understanding of themselves, their child, and their own need.

Topics covered during the workshop include:

• Accessing support emotionally, legally, and financially
• Processing your family-building journey
• Short-term and long-term considerations as you raise your child
• Empowering yourself for questions and concerns that may arise
• When to tell your child their story and how relationships and support systems
• Acknowledgement and significance of emotional impact anxiety, stress, grief
• Coping strategies
• Self-care and empowerment

These themes will be explored via:

• Worksheets
• Exercise and resources
• Breakout sessions
• Questions and answer

For more information, please email Lori at LoriMetz@ymail.com