Compassion in Action: Supporting LGBTQ+ Loved Ones on Their Fertility Journey

Happy Pride Month from all of us at Wildflower Center for Emotional Health! This Pride Month, we are shining a light on how to be an effective ally and friend to people in the LGBTQIA+ community going through infertility. Infertility is a deeply emotional experience, and for LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples, the journey to parenthood…

National Infertility Awareness Week: Compassion, Education, and Advocacy

During National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) we join with many leading organizations in a campaign to shed light on the deeply personal and often misunderstood experience of infertility that impacts millions of individuals and couples worldwide. Infertility can be an isolating journey, filled with emotional, physical, and financial challenges, yet it remains a topic that…

Sexuality, Infertility, and Mental Health: Bridging the Gaps

Article by Kate Ernstrom, LCSW, PMH-C, CST and Gabby Pendley, LCSW, CADC, PMH-C Infertility is a highly personal journey, impacting not only one’s hopes for the future but also emotional, relational, and sexual health. In today’s world, an estimated 10-15% of couples experience infertility (ASRM, 2023), a reality that often creates a ripple effect across…

Understanding Infertility: A Guide for Psychotherapists

Infertility has become one of the most common reasons that women between the ages of 20 and 45 seek medical treatment in the United States. According to the CDC, 19% of women experience physiological (medical) infertility. Additionally, many more people experience social infertility (infertility caused by social relationships and circumstances). Given this significant portion of…

Understanding Social Infertility: An Evolving Term in Reproductive Health

Engaging in allyship with the LGBTQIA+ community entails, among other things, educating ourselves about the unique challenges they face. One significant issue is the often complicated journey to parenthood for those who choose that path. Social infertility is a new and evolving term describing this process. In recent years, infertility has gained awareness, resulting in…

10 Things You Need To Know About Infertility During Infertility Awareness Week

1. Infertility is defined as not being able to get pregnant after one year of unprotected sex for heterosexual couples. With this said, many physicians recommend that women over the age of 35 seek specialized fertility care after six months of unprotected sex in heterosexual partnerships. 2. Infertility is not uncommon. In the U.S., one…

National Infertility Awareness Week

National Infertility Awareness Week will be observed from April 23-29th, 2023. This week seeks to bring awareness to an extremely common yet all too often overlooked experience. No person feels prepared to confront infertility and the grief, anxiety, and fear that may follow the infertility diagnosis. At Wildflower, we are committed to helping you navigate…

Virtual Infertility Support Group Starting August 2020

No person feels prepared to confront infertility and the grief, isolation, and fear that may follow the diagnosis. COVID-19 created unprecedented disruptions in daily living and medical care, including fertility treatment. You may have felt even more uncertain and hopeless. You are not alone. We are excited to announce the launch of our virtual Infertility…

Therapist Spotlight: Rosa Figueroa, MA, LCPC

Rosalena (Rosa) is a psychotherapist at Wildflower. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, with an emphasis in Human Services, at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and obtained a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Adler University in Chicago. Prior to coming to Wildflower, Rosa was a clinical director at a rape crisis…

Therapist Spotlight: Victoria Stroz, MA, LPC

Victoria is a psychotherapist at Wildflower. She earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adler University and Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Villanova University. Victoria is an integrative therapist who calls on various therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in her clinical work. Prior to becoming a…