Mind/Body Support Groups for Infertility - Sponsored by New York City Resolve

The stress of infertility is a two way street. The emotional experience can't help but create tension in one's body. And tension in one's body can't help but intensify the worry that you are somehow contributing to the problem. You are not responsible for your infertility, but you can choose to be responsible to your infertility in ways that go beyond whatever you are already doing.

One way is to join a mind/body support group. This experience is aimed at providing you with a panoramic view of ways to handle stress by exposing you to coping skills that right now, when you really need them, may not be part of your repertoire. Because this takes place in a group setting, just feeling understood by others contributes to the ameliorate of stress.

The format is based on increasing self-awareness and self-care. You can expect through didactic material and experiential exercises to:

• Feel the empowerment that comes from learning to bring yourself to a state of relaxation in a variety of ways
• Experience the mind/body connection with yoga, breathing techniques and more
• Learn about the neurobiology of mind/body healing
• Be exposed to the myriad of coping skills
• Enhance self-esteem
• Understand your underlying beliefs and the negative automatic thoughts that flow from them, thereby learning to counteract mental traps
• Learn about the power of positive affirmations
• Learn to work with your emotions
• Improve your style of communication
• Build confidence in assertiveness so you can be your own best advocate
• Incorporate humor, spirituality, and meaning into your outlook
• Learn how to prevent “relapse”

To check for upcoming support group meetings please click here.

To read the results of Helen's pilot study showing the effectiveness of a mind/body support group for reducing stress click here.

Testimonials from Former Support Group Participants

In the mind/body support group, I learned various physical and mental techniques to minimize stress: the relaxation response, cognitive restructuring, yoga, guided imagery, assertiveness, communication skills and many others. A great little bag of tricks to work with!

I've learned some extremely helpful coping techniques....when times get tough, just knowing that I can stop, breathe, and rethink how best to react is a huge difference.

The relaxation response gave me a sense of centeredness and peace and, most importantly, a feeling I could get thorough this (infertility struggle) day by day!

The group helped me to understand how the mind can control the body in both negative and positive ways.

I found the journal writing and the relaxation response very powerful in terms of their effects.

I loved how simple and effective the yoga session, the relaxation response, and the breathing exercises were.

I feel more in control than I did before I participated in the mind/body group. This will help me cope with any stressful periods of my life.