This course supports clinicians working with individuals navigating the emotional complexities of fertility struggles, including loss, uncertainty, identity disruption, and reproductive decision-making. Participants will explore the psychological impact of fertility struggles and the fertility journey, cultural narratives around motherhood, and the grief of ambiguous losses. Using CBT, mindfulness, and relational strategies, clinicians will learn how to support clients in processing difficult emotions, clarifying values, and making empowered reproductive choices. The training also includes a focus on inclusive, trauma-informed language.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to
- Describe the emotional and identity-based impacts of fertility struggles and reproductive loss
- Apply CBT, mindfulness, and values clarification to support client decision-making
- Use culturally sensitive language to explore grief, meaning-making, and family planning
Syllabus:
Introduction
Objective 1: Describe the emotional and identity-based impacts of fertility struggles and reproductive loss
- Prevalence and invisibility of fertility struggles
- Emotional landscape of the fertility journey: hope, anticipation, disappointment, and grief cycles
- Chronic stress and trauma-like responses
- Identity disruption: loss of imagined future self and assumptions about parenthood
- Cultural narratives and societal pressures
Objective 2: Explain ambiguous loss and its role in fertility-related grief
- Introduction to ambiguous loss and its clinical relevance
- Loss without closure: failed cycles, shifting timelines, uncertain outcomes
- Disenfranchised grief and lack of societal validation
- Types of loss in fertility
Objective 3: Identify trauma responses and nervous system dysregulation in fertility clients
- Fertility as a cumulative stress and trauma experience
- Medical trauma and repeated exposure to uncertainty
- Nervous system responses
- Hypervigilance, emotional reactivity, and body mistrust
- Clinical reframe: adaptive survival responses vs. pathology
Objective 4: Identify cognitive and behavioral patterns associated with fertility-related distress
- Common cognitive distortions
- Behavioral patterns
- Impact of these patterns on emotional distress
Objective 5: Utilize CBT, mindfulness, and somatic-informed interventions to support emotional regulation
- Cognitive restructuring with focus on flexibility, not forced positivity
- Mindfulness practices
- Somatic grounding:
- Immediate-use interventions for clients
- Experiential: Guided fertility-specific mindfulness practice
Objective 6: Address relational dynamics and communication challenges in fertility journeys
- Common relational patterns
- Impact on connection, communication, and emotional safety
- Teaching clients to express needs clearly
- Therapist role
Objective 7: Apply values clarification and meaning-making to reproductive decision-making
- Supporting complex decisions:
- Differentiating acceptance from giving up
- Exploring identity beyond fertility outcomes
- Values-based decision-making
- Encouraging agency and empowerment under uncertainty
Objective 8: Integrate trauma-informed and culturally sensitive language into clinical practice
- Recognizing fertility as a potential trauma experience
- Addressing shame, self-blame, and body mistrust
- Using validating, non-pathologizing language
- Cultural considerations:
- Clinical vignette
Objective 9: Integrate case conceptualization and clinical application
- Application of CBT, mindfulness, relational, and values-based interventions
- Identifying intervention priorities based on client presentation
- Balancing validation, regulation, and forward movement
- Group discussion and clinical reflection
Summary and Q&A
Social workers completing this course receive 2 Clinical asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 2 Clinical continuing education training.
Instructor: Samantha Silverberg, Ph.D., L.P.C.
Recording Date: May 13, 2026
CEUS On-Demand, LLC, provider #2274, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/7/2026 - 08/6/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 2hrs Clinical continuing education credits.
CEUs On-Demand, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7091. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CEUs On-Demand, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
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Request for Special Accommodations: Learners can request special accommodations by contacting the administrative team at admin@ceus-ondemand.com