Mental Health Professional Training Modules Part 2: Treatment Interventions

Mental Health Professional Training Modules Part 2: Treatment Interventions is organized by American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).

Release Date:  June 1, 2017
Reviewed/Updated:  January 5, 2023
Expiration Date:  January 5, 2026 

Description:
Part 2  of the Mental Health Professional Training Modules provides an opportunity for mental health practitioners to be introduced to and understand treatment interventions, ethics, fertility preservation and research in assisted reproductive technology.

Needs Assessment and Identification of Practice Gap:
Mental Health Professionals experience significant challenges when working in reproductive medicine. The competence required to practice in this area does not carry over from other mental health care settings. Treatment interventions that take into consideration the scientific, medical, and psychological aspects of infertility treatments must be designed and/or adapted specifically for infertility patients. As new treatments evolve, complex ethical and legal/regulatory issues arise. Psychological research must be rigorous and suitably designed to address the unique questions in this field. Part 2 of the Mental Health Professional Training Modules provides an opportunity for mental health practitioners to be introduced to and understand treatment interventions, ethics, fertility preservation and research in assisted reproductive technology. Successful completion of Part 1, Mental Health Professional Training Modules: Basic Infertility is a prerequisite to this course.

Educational Objectives:
At the conclusion of the educational activity, participants should be able to:

• Analyze and apply ethical principles in treating patients using assisted reproductive technologies (ART).
• Identify treatment interventions that are relevant for patients in ART.
• Apply the basic principles of research applicable to ART psychological paradigms.

Course Outline:
Lesson 1: Ethical Practices in Fertility Counseling
1A: Ethical Principles 
1B: Ethical Dilemmas
1C: Implicit Bias
Lesson 2: Cognitive and Dialectical Behavior Informed Therapy for Infertility
Lesson 3: Couples Counseling in Infertility: Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
Lesson 4: The Intersection of Sexual Function and Infertility
Lesson 5: Infertility and Grief Counseling
Lesson 6: Stress Management and Coping:  Approaches to Working with the Infertility Patient
Lesson 7: Psychotropic Medications for Depression and Anxiety during Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and Pregnancy
Lesson 8: Clinical Research: Fertility and Reproductive Medicine
Lesson 9: The Role of Mental Health Professionals in Adult Fertility Preservation