Reproductive Trauma: Psychotherapy with Infertility and Pregnancy Loss Clients »

"This is a terrific book that identifies the multiple, devastating repercussions of reproductive trauma by examining the disruptions to one's own personalized reproductive story. Grounded in developmental theory and richly illustrated with clinical examples, it is a welcome, much-needed guide for all therapists working with this overlooked population. Beyond its stated purpose of teaching mental health professionals, its accessibility, sensitivity, and comprehensive scope make it a volume that will be useful to obstetric health providers, medical social workers, and bereavement specialists as well as the couples who experience these losses.—Irving G. Leon, PhD, Adjunct Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor; author of When a Baby Dies: Psychotherapy for Pregnancy and Newborn Loss" "Jaffe and Diamond have done it again! Their concept of the "reproductive story" simultaneously validates a patient's experience and provides guidelines for processing reproductive events. It is an extremely valuable technique for therapists confronting increasingly complex medical technology and the psychological fallout. A much-needed contribution!—Leslie Westlund Tam, MD, Reproductive Psychiatrist, San Diego, CA" "A comprehensive guide for the clinical practitioner. The authors draw from a wealth of empirical research as well as numerous case studies to provide a deep understanding of the experience of infertility and how to help guide patients through the process.—Mary P. Riddle, PhD, The Pennsylvania State University, World Campus" "Since the birth of the first in vitro fertilization baby 30 years ago, assisted reproductive technology continues to advance exponentially. But despite this progress in medical technology, our psychological understanding of the related emotional, ethical, and moral dilemmas has yet to be advanced." Written by specialists in the field of reproductive counseling, this volume aims to help clinicians understand and treat the unique needs of clients who have experienced adverse reproductive events, including infertility, miscarriage, perinatal or newborn loss, and premature or other complicated births. Therapists will learn the importance of their clients' reproductive story, how to help them identify and grieve losses, and how to guide them in making complicated decisions about family building. Illustrated with numerous clinical examples, this volume will help mental health professionals gain both insight and clinical skill in working with this complex and growing clinical population.

Acknowledgments

Introduction 3

I. Theoretical Foundations 7

Chapter 1 The Reproductive Story 9

Chapter 2 Developmental Tasks of Adulthood: Losses of Opportunity 31

Chapter 3 When the Reproductive Story Goes Awry: Trauma and Loss 51

II. Counseling the Reproductive Patient 69

Chapter 4 Techniques of Assessment and Treatment 71

Chapter 5 Grieving a Reproductive Loss 91

Chapter 6 Impact of Reproductive Challenges on Intimate Relationships 113

Chapter 7 At a Crossroads: Facing Third-Party Reproduction and Adoption 135

III. Therapist's Considerations 157

Chapter 8 Self-Disclosure, Transference, and Countertransference 159

Chapter 9 Adjuncts to Therapy and Complementary Care 179

IV. Additional Concerns 195

Chapter 10 Medical, Moral, and Ethical Complications 197

Chapter 11 Pregnancy and Parenthood After Infertility or Reproductive Loss 215

Epilogue: Rewriting the Reproductive Story 231

Glossary 233

References 237

Index 261

About the Authors 275