Support Services

A holistic team approach to every single couple is our key to success. We focus our attention on getting to know the couples and their individual needs and providing them with an individualized program to achieve their goal.

We recognize the emotional impact of infertility and its treatment and the fact that it is often difficult to find anyone other than your spouse to share your concerns and frustrations.

Our support services are meant to provide the emotional support and teach couples how to cope with infertility

NEF Monthly Support Group

A monthly support group, led by Linda Stern  is available at no charge to NEF patients.  The focus of the group in  on  managing the stress of infertility.  The group typically meets the last Monday of the month. For more information contact Linda at: lstern@nefertiility.com

Psychological Counseling

Our team includes two highly qualified and experienced counselors. Individual counseling as well as group sessions is available at all three locations.

Judith Kottick, LCSW has been a member of the New England Fertility Institute staff since 2004. She has a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Hunter College and has done postgraduate training at the William Alanson White Institute for Psychoanalysis. In addition, she has trained at the Mind/Body Institute at Harvard Medical School and draws upon this postgraduate training to provide a personalized approach to helping people cope with the challenges of fertility treatment, pregnancy loss, adoption, and parenting. Ms. Kottick has extensive experience with gestational carrier and donor egg arrangements and is recognized as an authority on the emotional aspects of infertility and third party reproduction.

Jeanne Hance-Jagoe is a licensed clinical social worker and licensed marital and family therapist who has been working with Dr.Gad Lavy and The New England Fertility Institute for over 15 years. Alongside Dr. Lavy, Ms Hance-Jagoe help established the Third Party Reproduction Program. In addition to her involvement with the Third Party Program, Ms Hance-Jagoe provides support counseling as well as general psychotherapy to NEFI patients.

Ms Hance-Jagoe received her MS from New York University and completed her post-graduate training at the Family Institute of Westchester, Mount Vernon, NY. She is a Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work (BCD), a clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and the National Association of Social Workers.

The following Fact sheet is provided by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

• Infertility Counseling
  
  

Genetic Counseling

Our genetic counselor is an integral part of our team. Genetics often play a role in infertility. Exploring any genetic conditions is essential to successful treatment. Whenever indicated you will be referred for on site genetic counseling service.

Michele Pallai, MS, CGC, has been a practicing genetic counselor for over 20 years and is a charter member of the American Board of Genetic Counseling. Michele provided genetic counseling services at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center and Northern Westchester Hospital before joining The New England Fertility Institute. She is presently affiliated with The Celiac Center of Columbia University where she is involved in clinical research.

The following Fact sheet is provided by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

• Genetic Screening For Birth Defects
  
  

Alternative Medicine

Acupuncture has become commonplace as an adjunct to fertility therapy. We work with a group of practitioners in various locales and can guide you to the person who will fit your needs.

• Accupuncturist