The Role of the Mental Health Professional

Mental health professionals with specialized training and supervision in fertility counseling fulfill multiple roles for fertility patients, health care professionals, and clinic staff. In addition to providing evidence-based care to patients with various mental health conditions, fertility counselors can promote staff and medical team wellness by offering educational sessions on topics such as mitigation of burnout, secondary trauma, breaking bad news to patients, and management of interpersonal strains with patients. Knowledge of posttraumatic stress disorder and the principles of trauma-informed care can be integrated into all roles fulfilled by fertility counselors. This chapter explores fertility counselors’ roles as educators, consultants, clinical supervisors, psychotherapists, and assessors within the framework of trauma-informed care. Also, the potential benefits and drawbacks of mental health integration within fertility clinics are considered from a healing-centered perspective.