Mental Health Professional Training Modules Part 3: Counseling for Contemporary Family Building

Mental Health Professional Training Modules Part 3: Counseling for Contemporary Family Building is organized by American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).

Release Date:   July 15, 2019
Review and Updated Date: July 15, 2023
Expiration Date: July 14, 2026

Description:
This is a revision and revamp of MHPCC003 - 3rd Party Reproduction, Special Populations, and Genetics." 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 3 of the Mental Health Professional Training Modules addresses counseling related to contemporary family building considerations including but not limited to third-party reproduction, special populations, and genetics in reproductive medicine.

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

• Describe issues of concern for sperm, egg, and embryo donors, gestational carriers, and recipients, and become familiar with best practices in psychological screening and assessment for these populations.
• Discuss counseling interventions for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender fertility patients, single parents, older parents, and individuals and couples contemplating adoption or child-free living.
• Summarize basic genetics in reproductive medicine.

Course Outline:
Lesson 1a: Mental Health Counseling for Oocyte Donors
Lesson 1b: Mental Health Counseling for Oocyte Recipients
Lesson 2: Sperm Donation in Assisted Conception
Lesson 3a: Embryo Disposition
Lesson 3b: Embryo Donation for Donors & Recipients
Lesson 4: The Role of the Mental Health Professional in Gestational Carrier Arrangements
Lesson 5: Information-Sharing in Donor-assisted Conception         
Lesson 6: Adoption and Fertility Challenges
Lesson 7: Later-life Parenthood and Childfree Living
Lesson 8: Counseling Single Women and Single Men Choosing Parenthood
Lesson 9: Counseling Transgender Patients
Lesson 10:Counseling Same-Sex Couples
Lesson 11:Genetics in Reproductive Medicine