Psychosomatic counseling and management of infertile couples

Abstract

Psychosomatic counselling and care of infertile couples has the following objectives: Development and implementation of a patient centered communication in the consultation itself during diagnostic workup and treatment; detection and management of psychosocial problems and difficulties that present barriers to the fertility of the couple and may lead to negative consequences of treatment; support and help during emotional crisis occurring in the context of the treatment and counselling with respect to stress management; therapeutic interventions to help couples to cope with the unfulfilled wish for a child and to terminate treatment. To fulfill these tasks an integration of psychosomatic concepts of thinking and acting in the everyday work in the consultation is needed. For this purpose we have developed a model of patient centered communication. Furthermore a specialized psychotherapeutic help for couples as well as a help and supervision for the infertility team is needed. This 'dual' principle of psychosomatic work is the best precondition to assure a high quality of personal care for infertile couples.