Dr. Pooja Anand Sharma is the Founder and Chairperson of Vishwas Healing and Healthcare LLP, a renowned Psychologist, Psychotherapist, Alternative Healing Master with over 22 years of experience in the healing industry. Dr. Pooja’s passion for healing and counseling goes beyond just a profession; it is her true calling.
Infertility is a major cause of stress and emotional and relationship problems among many people and couples of childbearing age. Although IVF and medications are the primary ways of dealing with the problem, more and more people turn to combined treatment that includes psychotherapy and other healing techniques. This approach is not only focused on the physical side of infertility but also focuses on the psychological, emotional, and spiritual state of the patient, which may lead to better results.
The role of psychotherapy in fertility treatment
Counselling is very useful in helping patients cope with the psychological and emotional aspect of infertility. Various therapeutic modalities can be employed to support individuals and couples on their fertility journey:
1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT assists people in modifying the cognitive and behavioral processes that may lead to stress and anxiety. This way, people can work on improving their ways of dealing with the emotional aspect of fertility treatments, which is a ride.
2. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
Some of the activities that can help one to be mindful include meditation and yoga which can help in reducing stress and increase emotional intelligence. MBSR helps people learn how to be in the moment and accept the experience they are having in the moment, which can be very helpful during the often long and unpredictable journey of conceiving.
3. Couples therapy
It has been noted that infertility can put a lot of stress on the couple. Couples therapy is the process through which the couple is able to share their feelings, enhance their communication and build a better relationship. Couples can also seek the services of therapists to assist them in the numerous choices and the emotional aspect of fertility treatments.
4. Psychodynamic therapy
This therapy explores the thoughts and feelings that are not always visible and can influence the patient’s response to infertility. Thus, by identifying and working through these core problems, people can experience less distress and more calmness in their lives.
Alternative healing methods
In addition to psychotherapy, various alternative healing methods can complement traditional fertility treatments, promoting overall well-being and potentially enhancing fertility outcomes:
1. Energy healing
Some of the methods that are used include Reiki and Healing Touch, which are used to balance the body's energy fields. Experts also hold the view that energy imbalances have impacts on the physical health of an individual, including fertility. Energy healing can assist in the reduction of stress, the management of stress, and the improvement of emotional health.
2. Herbal medicine
The use of TCM and other herbal medicine practices has been used to enhance the reproductive system. Some of the herbs include Vitex, Maca, and Red Clover, which are thought to help regulate hormones and boost fertility.
3. Nutritional therapy
It is important to take foods that contain nutrients that are important for the reproductive system of the body. Nutritional therapy is a process of prescribing specific diets to improve fertility and other related factors such as hormonal imbalance and inflammation.
4. Yoga and Tai Chi
These practices involve the coordination of movement of the body with the breath and relaxation, which helps in stress relief. Practice can help enhance one’s physical fitness, lower anxiety, and boost one’s mental health.
5. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is the process of inserting needles at certain points of the body to help regulate the flow of energy or Qi. Studies have also indicated that acupuncture helps in increasing the amount of blood flow in the reproductive organs, reduces stress, and increases the chances of success of fertility treatments.
The integrated approach
An integrated approach to addressing fertility issues combines medical treatments with psychotherapy and alternative healing methods, offering a comprehensive plan to support individuals and couples:
1. Holistic assessment
A detailed assessment by doctors, physiotherapists, and other holistic caregivers to come up with a treatment plan.
2. Collaboration among practitioners
The cooperation between medical doctors, psychotherapists, and alternative healers is done frequently to ensure that there is good coordination in the treatment process.
3. Customized treatment plans
Combining the various approaches in the treatment of the individual or the couple, as the case may be. For instance, using IVF together with acupuncture, CBT, and nutritional therapy.
4. Ongoing support
Ongoing emotional and psychological care during the fertility process, to help people deal with the highs and lows of the process.
5. Empowerment and education
Informing people and couples about their fertility and health options and helping them make the right choices.
Conclusion
Fertility problems can be tackled through an integrated framework that encompasses psychotherapies and other forms of healing modalities, and this can greatly help the health of individuals and couples in their quest for fertility. This approach is more effective and sensitive to the patient as it addresses the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of the patient in order to achieve the goal of parenthood.
Read more from Dr. Pooja Anand Sharma
Dr. Pooja Anand Sharma, Healing Therapist & Life Coach
Dr. Pooja, an exceptional communicator, seeks to revolutionize holistic healing by emphasizing the profound interconnectedness of the mind and body. Her philosophy rests on the belief that mental and physical health are inseparable. Any ailment affecting one inevitably reverberates through the other. With this vision, Dr. Pooja has transformed countless lives.
