Fertility Blog

Fertility Blog by Illume Fertility

Everything you need to know about reproductive health, fertility testing, fertility treatment (like IUI and IVF) and how to navigate fertility challenges.

Elisabeth Schneider, LMFT

Elisabeth Schneider is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 20 years of experience supporting individuals and couples through infertility, pregnancy and child loss, postpartum depression, and the unique challenges of premature birth. Elisabeth holds a graduate degree from Fuller Theological Seminary and has completed Harvard Medical School's Palliative Care Education Program. She currently supports Illume Fertility patients through her ongoing support group series, Encircled.

Wellness | Support | Fertility Treatment | Mental Health

The Mental Load of Infertility: A Therapist's Guide to Coping

By: Elisabeth Schneider, LMFT
May 11th, 2026

At a glance → Around 40% of women experiencing infertility meet criteria for depression or anxiety, and many partners do too, even when they do not show it → The hardest emotional terrain often lives in places no one talks about, like the two-week wait, unnamed grief, and the slow erosion of who you used to be → Stress and anxiety can affect treatment adherence and quality of life, which is why mental health support is part of fertility care, not a separate concern → Illume Fertility’s Integrated Fertility & Wellness program connects patients with vetted therapists who specialize in fertility treatment, grief, and uncertainty In this guide, you will find validation, clarity, and practical strategies for navigating the psychological impact of a fertility journey, from a therapist who frequently works with individuals and couples who are trying to conceive.