Mental health services
Caring for your emotional well-being is as important to us as treating your infertility and we understand that each couple’s experience and needs are different. That is why we have several, varied support resources integrated into the fertility program at Shady Grove Fertility.
As you are likely well aware, infertility can be a stressful experience. Experts often say that infertility is a life crisis for some couples and the emotions that often arise are real and can be difficult to navigate through. From the time we are born, the discussion begins about our future, about what we want to be when we grow up, and about marriage and family. Most of us as children, when looking into that far distant future, see ourselves becoming a parent at some point in our lives.
So when infertility strikes and you realize that something you thought was a given, like having children, may not be so easy and make take medical intervention, increased stress levels are a natural response.
Our goal at Shady Grove Fertility is to provide resources and support to reduce the stress associated with infertility from a medical, emotional, and financial perspective. We encourage everyone to establish support networks by tapping into our resources or finding other avenues that work best for you. Seeking (and accepting) support is like weaving a safety net for yourself—the more connections or stands of support you have the stronger your net becomes. A strong support network lifts us up when we get low providing the strength we need to keep moving forward in the direction of our dreams.
Join a support group
Free virtual support groups are currently available for patients in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Meet the psychological support team
Under the esteemed leadership of Sharon Covington, MSW, LCSW-C, an internationally known licensed clinical social worker, author, and “Top Therapist” as recognized by the Washingtonian, with more than 40 years of experience counseling individuals and families experiencing a fertility crisis, our mental health professional team is at the forefront of the field. Each therapist has extensive training and knowledge about all aspects of infertility counseling with individual, couple, and group therapies available for Shady Grove Fertility patients and non-patients alike.
Maryland, Central Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Sharon Covington, LCSW-C
Director
Licensed in DC, Maryland, and Delaware
Patricia Sachs, LCSW-C
Virtual Counseling including Donor Recipient ConsultsLicensed in DC and Maryland
Carol Toll, LCSW-C
Virtual Counseling including Donor Recipient ConsultsLicensed in Maryland and Virginia
Ellen Eule, LCSW-C
Virtual Counseling including Donor Recipient ConsultsLicensed in Maryland
Tara Simpson, Psy.D.
Virtual Counseling including Donor Recipient ConsultsMulti-state licensure under PSYPACT
Laura S. Covington, Ph.D., LCSW-C
Virtual Counseling including Donor Recipient ConsultsLicensed in DC, MD, PA, and VA
Mia Joelsson, LCSW-C/LCSW
Virtual Counseling including Donor Recipient ConsultsLicensed in MD, PA, VA, and WV
Karen Wasserstein, Psy.D.
Virtual Counseling including Donor Recipient ConsultsLicensed in MD, DC, VA, NY, and multistate PSYPACT
Aviella Snitman, Ph.D.
Virtual Counseling including Donor Recipient ConsultsLicensed in MD, DC and multistate PSYPACT
Rachel Brody, LCSW-C
Virtual Counseling including Donor Recipient ConsultsLicensed in Maryland and Virginia
Tabitha Mann, LICSW
Virtual Counseling Including Donor Recipient ConsultsLicensed in DC, Virginia and Maryland
Carol Miller, LICSW
VIRTUAL COUNSELING INCLUDING DONOR RECIPIENT CONSULTSLicensed in DC, Virginia, Maryland and Arizona
Recommended mental health professionals
Please note that most mental health providers are currently offering their services virtually, conducted via telehealth, and thus are able to see clients in multiple states. However, it is important to be aware with telehealth services, the provider must be licensed in state where the client is at the time of the appointment. Thus, when seeking a provider, be sure they are licensed in the state where you are located. For psychologists who list they are PSYPACT approved, please visit PSYPACT.org to see all participating states.
Colorado
Jill Pinarowicz, Ph.D.
PsychologistLicensed in CO, MT and WY
Tampa, FL
Jennifer C. Collins, PsyD, MSCP
PSYCHOLOGIST, VIRTUAL COUNSELING AND DONOR RECIPIENT CONSULTSLicensed in PA and multi-state PSYPACT
Georgia
Mary Coleman Allen, Ph.D., LPC
Infertility and Third Party CounselingAtlanta, GA
Majorie Blum, Ph.D.
Infertility and Third Party CounselingAtlanta, GA
Linda Kondlilis, Ph.D.
Infertility & Third-Party Reproductive CounselingLicensed in: GA, NY, SC, and Multistate PSYPACT
New York
Karen Wasserstein, Psy.D.
Virtual Counseling including Donor Recipient ConsultsLicensed in MD, DC, VA, NY, and multistate PSYPACT
Pennsylvania
Erica Ploski, MA, LPC
Franklin, PA
Jennifer C. Collins, PsyD, MSCP
Psychologist, Virtual Counseling and Donor Recipient ConsultsLicensed in PA and multi-state PSYPACT
Richmond, VA
Jennifer Melerski, PsyD, LCP
Therapy | Third Party Counseling | Donor/GC Evaluations
