One of our goals at ACRM is to provide sensitive care to the "whole person."  ACRM is unique among infertility programs in the Atlanta area for offering confidential on-site counseling as an integral part of our program. Our counselors have expertise in treating infertility patients and are available during all phases of your treatment.

Dr. M. Coleman Allen, Director of Psychological Services for ACRM, received her undergraduate degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received her Masters, Specialist and Doctoral degrees at Georgia State University.  She is an active member of the American Psychological Association, the Georgia Psychological Association, and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.  ACRM is unique among infertility programs in the Atlanta area offering confidential on-site counseling as an integral part of our program.

Maureen Martin is a psychotherapist both in private practice and at ACRM.  She has over 30 years experience working with individuals, couples and families.  Maureen is especially interested in helping individuals and couples work on the emotional aspects of the journey to create a family unit.  She has other specialties that also can dovetail with infertility issues such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance abuse and grief.  She deals with pregnancy loss issues and decisions about ethical and moral decision-making relating to infertility treatment options.  Maureen is glad to be associated with an infertility practice that values treating all aspects of the patient's journey.

Dr. Linda Stamm has been a licensed psychologist since 1983, she has a private practice in Roswell, GA and is here at ACRM.  She received her BA from Brown University and doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Rutgers University.  For over 20 years Dr. Stamm has been working with infertility, post partum depression, pregnancy loss, stress management, and behavioral medicine.  She works with individuals, couples and groups in the Atlanta area and also facilitates mind-body, egg recipient and pregnancy loss groups.

Counseling can be helpful for new patients

Counseling can be a helpful step in preparing for treatment. Many couples coming to our program have never seen an infertility counselor before. Infertility counselors, along with the rest of your medical team, have expertise in assisting couples with what to expect during and after treatment.

Counseling can help patients emotionally replenish before beginning treatment. A counseling session helps patients identify the best sources of emotional and social support available during treatment. We know that positive support does make a difference for patients in infertility treatment.

Counseling can also help in other areas: work, family relationships, marriage ... any issue that concerns you is one that can be processed in a supportive counseling relationship and can help you have a better quality of life.

Counseling may be helpful for coping with stress

A session with an infertility counselor can also assist couples in coping with stress. Many couples feel relieved and hopeful when they know there are positive ways to cope with the stress and disappointment of delayed family building. Learn more on what you need to know about stress and infertility.

Counseling may be helpful for communicating with your partner

Many patients also benefit from learning how infertility affects marital communication. Infertility is often the first life crisis a couple shares together. Men and women cope differently with stress in general, and with infertility stress in particular. Helping couples recognize some of these universal patterns early in the treatment process often goes a long way towards maintaining marital satisfaction. Early counseling can help prevent misunderstandings or communication problems before they start.

Counseling can be helpful for emotional distress

Couples benefit from support throughout the infertility process and especially when it comes to dealing with strong emotions. Anger, self-blame, fear, anxiety and feelings of loss may surface and feel overwhelming at times. Couples who have experienced a pregnancy loss, failed cycles, or who have a history of recurrent miscarriages may benefit from additional support as they attempt another pregnancy. An infertility counselor can also help you identify certain types of depression or anxiety conditions that should be treated prior to beginning a treatment cycle.

Counseling may be helpful for decision-making

Patients find it helpful to consult with a counselor when faced with important treatment decisions, such as the use of donor gametes or the decision to end treatment. All of our patients will meet with a counselor as part of their consultation for IVF, when using donor eggs or sperm, and for all gestational carrier arrangements. In addition, patients often choose to meet with a counselor during the "waiting period" of their treatment cycle, for support during an IUI cycle, or for post treatment follow-up.

You may also be interested in learning more about stress and infertility, frequently asked questions and our support groups. At any time during your treatment and time with ACRM, should you wish to meet with a counselor, please call our office and the next available appointment will gladly be scheduled for you. Thank you for the opportunity to assist in your care.

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