Frequently Asked Questions

The MindBody Program for Fertility includes eight (8) face-to-face sessions with psychologist Therese Sheedy.

These sessions will have a different focus and include training in:

• MindBody medicine – understanding the role of mindfulness and meditation and how the body functions and can heal

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy strategies, self-care and self-compassion, nutrition and lifestyle advice

• Information about aligned treatments and how they relate to stress and fertility.

To put it simply, this program is for anyone struggling with fertility.

Whether you are feeling stressed, overwhelmed or apprehensive at the start of your fertility journey; if you’re mid IVF treatment; or you've been on this rollercoaster journey for years - this program will support your mind and your body and enhance your chances of a take-home baby.

Firstly, we’ll celebrate with you and check in to see where your stress levels and emotions are at.

Unfortunately, many women who have experienced difficulty conceiving also run a greater risk of miscarriage or other complications during their pregnancy and birth. Ongoing support is highly recommended.

Anxiety greatly impacts a woman’s mental health and wellbeing and has been linked with affecting the functioning of the placenta which can limit nutrients reaching the unborn baby.

The beauty of the MindBody Program for Fertility 1:1 format means that we can still work through the program as planned. Therese will adjust some of the content to suit your needs as your pregnancy develops – giving you the best chance of achieving your goal of parenthood.

If you already have one child but struggling to conceive, you may be experiencing what is called Secondary Infertility.

The MindBody Program for Fertility can definitely help and work through the shock, stress and overwhelm of infertility – which may be a new experience for you.

You’re in very safe hands! Therese has been a registered psychologist for 30 years and working with the MindBody Program for Fertility since 2016.

She has also studied mindfulness and wellbeing science and is a trained meditation teacher. She walks her talk and practices mindfulness in both her work and personal life.

Therese is honoured to have been personally trained in the MindBody program by Dr Alice Domar, Associate Professor at Harvard University, and founder of the program with Boston IVF. Dr Domar is the creator of the MindBody Program for Fertility. You can learn more about Therese here.

Absolutely!.

Partners are very welcome to attend the first session so they understand how the program works. The program is designed for the female who will be carrying the baby to enhance your chances of going to full-term.

The program also includes an at-home partner session and we encourage you throughout the program to share the outcomes of sessions along with meditations and mindfulness strategies for added support.

We understand life gets in the way sometimes, so we use a flexible calendar system to find the times that work best for you and your world.

Once your session is booked in Therese holds the time in her diary, so we do request at least 48 hours notice if you need to reschedule a session.

In saying that we totally get 48 hours isn’t always possible, so just let us know as soon as possible and Therese will be as flexible as she can to work around the change.

Most IVF clinics will offer you one counselling session which is compulsory. Some clinics are now running sessions they are calling MindBody Programs - however in only 3-4 sessions you will likely be receiving information only rather than supported training for ongoing change to your fertility system.

The MindBody Program For Fertility works alongside and is complementary to the the sessions with your IVF counsellor. You are most welcome to share any or all of what you’ve spoken about with your IFV counsellor – or not.

Therese is one of only a few people in Australia trained in the MindBody Program For Fertility.

Infertility is very individual and complex. There are no guarantees with any fertility treatment or program.

However, research on the MindBody Program For Fertility – in a live group setting – has indicated an increase of 52-55% in take-home baby rates. This is compared with 20% of women in a control group who weren’t in the program. These results have been consistent with women going through treatment or not.

Therese has adapted the program to an online format and is proud to have seen similar levels of success working one on one with her clients.

The simple answer is - you likely can.

If you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP you will need to contact Therese and have a discussion about what that means regarding the program. If you then work with Therese, she will be able to make Medicare claims on your behalf after each session and the rebate will be made directly into your account.

Regarding Private Health - it will depend on your level of cover and what your insurer includes in your policy. You will need to check with your insurer advising them that Therese is a nationally registered psychologist and the MindBody Program for Fertility is a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) program.