Counseling Couples Through Infertility

When Parenthood Feels Out of Reach: Counseling Couples Through Infertility (2HR)

$32.00

Course Description

Infertility can be one of the most emotionally complex and challenging experiences a couple faces. As mental health professionals, we play a crucial role in supporting clients navigating the uncertainty, grief, and relationship strain that often accompany fertility struggles. This workshop explores the psychological impact of infertility, the emotional stages couples experience, and therapeutic interventions that foster resilience and connection. Participants will gain insight into how societal and cultural narratives shape infertility experiences, as well as how to support diverse family-building options, including assisted reproductive technologies, adoption, and child-free living. By the end of this session, clinicians will be better equipped to provide compassionate, informed care that validates clients’ experiences while helping them move forward with hope.

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

Identify the emotional and psychological impact of infertility on individuals and couples
Explore effective therapeutic interventions to support clients coping with infertility-related stress, grief, and relationship strain
Discuss ethical considerations and cultural factors influencing infertility experiences and treatment decisions.

Social workers completing this course receive 2 Clinical asynchronous continuing education credits.

For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 2 Clinical continuing education training.

Course Instructor: Aseem Garg, LPCC-S, LMFT

Recording Date: 08/18/2025

Course Format

NBCC ACEP # 7091, CE Training Workshops has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP #7091. Programs that do not qualify are clearly identified. CE Training Workshops is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. CE Training Workshops designates this continuing education activity for 3 continuing education hours.

CE Training Workshops, LLC, #1770, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/02/2025 to 08/02/2028. Social workers completing this course receive 3 Clinical continuing education credits.

Meet Your Facilitator

Aseem Garg, LPCC-S, LMFT is a seasoned clinician, supervisor, and educator with over seven years of experience in the behavioral health field. As a licensed professional clinical counselor and marriage and family therapist, he specializes in trauma-informed care, adolescent mental health, dual diagnosis cases, and couples and sex therapy. His work spans direct clinical practice, program development, and leadership roles in both nonprofit and startup mental health settings.

Aseem is a skilled trainer known for delivering engaging, research-backed workshops on topics such as implicit bias, trauma-informed care, and best practices for working with diverse client populations. He has a strong background in therapist development, having hired, trained, and supervised clinicians across various levels of experience. His approach to training is both practical and reflective, encouraging clinicians to integrate data-driven insights with real-world application.

Passionate about fostering professional growth, Aseem creates dynamic learning environments that challenge assumptions, build clinical confidence, and enhance therapeutic effectiveness. His workshops empower mental health professionals with the tools and perspectives needed to navigate complex client dynamics with empathy, ethical integrity, and cultural humility.

Syllabus

Introduction

Overview of course objectives and structure

Identifying the Emotional and Psychological Impact of Infertility on Individuals and Couples

Emotional responses, including grief, guilt, shame, anxiety, jealousy, and identity disruption
Mental health risks, including increased rates of depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms
Relational impacts, such as decreased intimacy, increased conflict, coping discrepancies, and social isolation

Exploring Therapeutic Interventions for Infertility-Related Stress and Grief

Therapeutic modalities, including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, and Trauma-Informed Care
Assessment and screening tools, including PHQ-9, GAD-7, FertiQoL, and the Fertility Problem Inventory
Core clinical skills, including grief processing, validation without offering false hope, supporting partner dynamics, and facilitating effective communication

Ethical Considerations and Cultural Factors in Infertility Treatment

Cultural sensitivity, including awareness of racial disparities, intersectionality, religious influences, and LGBTQ+ experiences
Ethical awareness, including honoring client autonomy, avoiding therapist bias, and maintaining confidentiality
Social stigma, including pronatalist pressures, gendered expectations, and cultural silence surrounding infertility

Summary & Q&A

Recap of key takeaways and shared insights
Participant reflections and questions
Resources for further clinical education and client support