Complementary Care
RMA of New York understands that building a family through fertility treatment or pursuing fertility preservation can be complex and present unique challenges.
Our staff understands that individuals and couples often face emotional, family, work-related and/or personal challenges that can affect their lives in many ways. Led by experienced and highly esteemed licensed therapists
Georgia Witkin,
PhD and
Lisa Schuman, LCSW, as well as Nutritionist Dara Godfrey, MS RD. RMA of
New York offers a variety of services designed to assist patients through their personal journey. Our therapists can help with stress management, conflict resolution, coping with pregnancy loss, as well as helping patients to confidently make treatment decisions. Our nutritionist can help with pre-treatment weight loss and nutritional goals at every stage of fertility treatment and pregnancy. The Complementary Care team at RMA of New York is here to help.
Individual/Couples and Group Support Programs are available both in our New York City and
Westchester
locations.
THERAPY PROGRAMS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND COUPLES
Focus on Infertility Treatment
While engaging in infertility treatment, individuals and couples can be faced with questions and stressors. Counseling with our specially trained clinicians can provide support, guidance and education. With this assistance, patients are better able to make informed decisions and are able to manage their emotional experiences and relationships more productively.
Focus on Fertility Preservation
RMA of New York's team is very experienced in supporting patients who are undergoing fertility preservation treatments, such as oocyte cryopreservation (egg freezing), embryo cryopreservation (embryo freezing), and sperm banking. Discussions regarding fertility preservation may include education about the process of fertility preservation, helping patients anticipate future needs, and/or may focus on stress reduction techniques and general support during treatment cycles. Family and group sessions focusing on fertility preservation are also available.
RMA of New York is proud to have Lisa Schuman, LCSW, involved in developing emotional support guidelines for individuals considering egg freezing. Lisa is Chair of the Oocyte Cryopreservation Task Force for the Mental Health Group of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), which created the fist counseling guidelines for egg freezing in 2009.
Focus on Egg Donors and Recipients
RMA of New York provides a thorough screening and assessment of donors that is in accordance with the guidelines set by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
RMA's donor egg
program provides an opportunity for recipients to carefully and thoughtfully explore their feelings and ideas, receive education, and discuss conflicts so they can approach their path to parenthood with comfort and confidence. Georgia Witkin, PhD meets with all recipients and donors.
Drop-in Support Group Programs
NUTRITION PROGRAMS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND COUPLES
Nutrition Basic Consultation
The Basic Consultation is a 30 minute session with Dara Godfrey, MS RD. Dara provides a general overview of nutrition related to infertility treatment. Discussions may cover general weight loss or gain prior to treatment, and/or nutritional recommendations related to patients' medical conditions, such as thyroid conditions and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
Nutrition In-Depth Consultation
The In-Depth Consultation is a 60 minute session with Dara Godfrey, MS RD. Dara evaluates the patient's individual lifestyle and treatment needs and will design a realistic and customized meal plan for the patient to follow.
Nutrition Couples Consultation
The Couples Consultation is a 2 hour session for both partners with Dara Godfrey, MS RD. She will provide a nutritional overview as well as a customized meal plan for each partner. The couple will attend their own follow up appointments individually.
Nutrition Custom Package
The Custom Package includes 5 sessions with Dara Godfrey, MS RD. This includes 1 initial In-Depth Consultation and 4 Follow-Up Sessions. The first appointment will include an evaluation of the patient's individual lifestyle and treatment needs. Dara will design a realistic and customized meal plan and provide the patient with 4 Follow-Up Sessions.
Complementary Drop in sessions:
Therapy, led by Lisa Schuman:
Drop-In General Support Group
Lisa Schuman, LCSW, holds general support meetings and invites all patients to attend, whether they are coming from a monitoring appointment or are able to break free from their daily routine for a short period of time. This casual and confidential program is targeted to provide stress-relief and to promote fellow patients to help and support one another. No registration necessary. FREE. For the latest session dates and times email info@rmany.com or call (212) 756-5777.
Donor Egg / Sperm Moms and Moms-to-Be Support Group
Lisa Schuman, LCSW, holds support meetings for moms and moms-to-be who have used or are contemplating using donor egg and/or donor sperm to become pregnant. This casual and confidential group will be address topics such as disclosure, nature vs. nurture, family and partner issues and general parenting concerns. FREE. For the latest session dates and times email info@rmany.com or call (212) 756-5777.
Nutrition, led by Dara Godfrey:
Drop-In Nutrition Education Group
Dara Godfrey, MS RD, holds a nutrition education group for patients interested in learning about general nutrition and weight management and the relationship to fertility treatment. No registration necessary. FREE. For the latest session dates and times email info@rmany.com or call (212) 756-5777.
RMA of New York's support groups, nutritional counseling and events are available to all patients. If you are looking for help or to speak with a psychologist, counselor, nutritionist or group and do not see a program listed that meets your needs, please let us know. You can email us at
info@rmany.com or call us at (212) 756-5777. We are always looking for ways to improve care and help meet patient needs.
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