Systemische Kinderwunschberatung

Abstract

Summary Systemic counselling for involuntary childlessness – Effective support in a distressed phase of life The unfulfilled wish to have a child causes a profound disruption in everyday life. In this distressed phase of life, women and men can find valuable support in psychosocial counselling for involuntary childlessness. After a definition of unwanted childlessness, this article provides an overview of current approaches in psychosocial counselling and visualizes possible systemic interventions in a tableau. The specific possibilities of a systemic counselling approach are elaborated and illustrated via practical examples. Family planning is a biographic topic. The crisis of involuntary childlessness is placed in present adulthood, but must be considered between childhood origins, the aspired founding of an own family and the succession of generations in the future. This trans generational perspective is considered in specific systemic counselling. Appreciating the desired child as a member of the system allows for a change of perspective. Especially when considering the donation of gametes, thus family planning with the help of third parties, the inclusion of the interests of the desired child represents an important asset. Considering today‘s options of reproductive medicine, but also ethical aspects and legal requirements, unintentional childlessness also unfolds a political dimension. In a systemic counselling for involuntary childlessness, the manifold implications are reflected in responsibility for the future child and family system.