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Date: Tuesday,
May 6, 2008
Time: 8:00-9:00 PM (ET)
Guest Speaker: Amy Demma, J.D.
Topic: Is an Ethnic Donor right for you?
About Amy Demma, J.D.
Amy Demma, a New York State licensed attorney, is a long-term family and children's advocate beginning her legal career advising parents of mentally and disabled children at the Association for the Help of Retarded Children. She has served on the Mother and Child's HIV Task Force of the Brooklyn Women's Bar Association and is credentialed in Family Mediation through the Harvard Law School Mediation Program.
Considered an industry expert in third-party reproduction, Amy is a published author and regular speaker on topics related to alternative family building, including as a guest lecturer on the topic at Tufts University. She has recently been interviewed by NPR, Vanity Fair magazine and CNN, as well as contributed to a documentary on family-building through egg donation and surrogacy.
Based on the pillars of Collaboration, Commitment and Success, Prospective Families was founded in 2006 by Amy, as an agency whose practices and policies are driven by the standards for ethical donation established by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine and the Federal Drug Administration for our donor screening. Further, detailed donor pre-screening and relationship-building with clinics and other industry professionals ensure the necessary and effective collaboration of all parties committed to the successful outcome of the cycle.
Amy has met with and counseled over 200 donors, and advised and addressed as many prospective parents both in-cycle, as well as through her public speaking engagements. In 2005-2006 Amy celebrated, with her clients, the births of over 50 babies. Since launching Prospective Families, over 90% of her clients have achieved pregnancy and are, to date, still on track to parenting.
Most importantly, she is the proud and blessed mother of 12 year-old twins conceived through In Vitro Fertilization. Amy is highly regarded and well respected by her peers, colleagues, clients and donors and it is from these many good folks that she became inspired to create Prospective Families. |
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FREE GROUP TELEPHONE COACHING SESSIONS
Phone based coaching groups provide a convenient way for you to take part in a supportive and educational group experience from the comfort of your home or work place. These groups meet for one hour via a phone bridgeline. A bridgeline allows all participants to hear and speak with each other via the telephone. No special phone is required. All groups are led by licensed mental health professionals with an expertise and often personal experience in infertility treatment and/or adoption.
TOPIC: After Your Loss: Healing and Getting Back on Track
Your IVF was not successful, the IUI didn’t work, A Miscarriage, Another Miscarriage, a Necessary Termination…
This telecoaching session is an opportunity to share your loss with others who are also hurting from similar circumstances. You’ll receive feedback, support, suggestions, and most importantly, tools and strategies to assist you in decision-making and resuming control in your life after a pregnancy loss.
| WHEN: |
Wednesday, June 11, 2008 |
| TIME: |
9:00 PM to 10:00 PM, EST |
| FACILITATED BY: |
Emily Laitmon LCSW |
For further information, please contact:
Emily Laitmon, LCSW 212 988-2054 or 914 633-4224
Email: laitmon@aol.com
Emily Laitmon, LCSW, is a coach and psychotherapist with individuals, couples and families in areas of Infertility, Loss, Relationships and Women’s Issues. She has offices in NYC and Westchester, and is an insurance provider. She is associated with AFA as a workshop leader, coach and facilitator for support groups.
TOPIC: Considering Adoption
This telephone coaching support group is for couples and individuals who are exploring the possibility and “how to’s” of building a family via adoption. During this 1 hour conference call you will have the opportunity to receive clear information regarding adoption practices and domestic/international adoption options, explore the myths and challenges of domestic and international adoption, consider which options may be right for you, and learn about the role of birthparents in the adoption process. You will receive professional and peer support as you consider and learn about the adoption option.
| WHEN: |
Tuesday May 13, 2008 |
| TIME: |
9:00 PM to 10:00 PM, EST |
| FACILITATED BY: |
Bob Bamman, LCSW and Sara Barris, PsyD |
For further information, please contact:
Bob Bamman, LCSW - Email: BobBmmn@aol.com
Sara Barris, PsyD – Email: SaraBarris@aol.com
Sara Barris |
Sara Barris is a clinical psychologist. Since 1988 she has been highly active in the field of reproductive health issues with an expertise in infertility and adoption Dr. Barris has written and lectured extensively around the psychological and emotional variables surrounding these issues. She has conducted many workshops in these areas as well. Dr. Barris serves as the co - director of Support Services for The American Fertility Association. In that capacity she has created and co-developed their national telephone coaching support groups. This involves leading groups, training and supervising mental health professionals. Dr. Barris is a part of Dr. Martin Seligman’s team at the University of Pennsylvania helping to facilitate the Penn Resilience Prevention Program for children and adolescents. Sara Barris has a full time private practice in Forest Hills, New York. She is a mother through birth and adoption. |
Bob Bamman |
An active professional member of the American Fertility Association, Bob Bamman facilitates workshops and coaching groups addressing the emotional aspects of infertility, men’s infertility issues, and adoption. Specialized clinical training includes infertility/adoption training at the Karen Horney Institute, the Center for Family Connections (Cambridge), and the Ackerman Institute for Family Therapy. A veteran of the infertility experience and an adoptive parent, Bob maintains a private practice located in mid-Manhattan (34th St.) working with men, women, and couples. Bob also provides adoption consultation services and New York State mandated pre-adoption Homestudy services.
Phone: 646-872-9032 |
NEW YORK CITY WOMEN'S IN-PERSON OVER FORTY SUPPORT GROUP FORMING NOW
Do you feel alone? Are you stuck in feeling anxious or depressed? Does the majority of your life focus on starting a family? Are you confused or unsure about what your next step will be? This Support Group will help you with these issues and move toward resolution of your fertility struggle.
Facilitated by Joan Winograd, LCSW, American Fertility Association Support Group Leader
Space is Limited. You may contact Joan at 212-362-4003 or e-mail at Joanwino@aol.com.
NEW YORK CITY WOMEN’S MIND/BODY IN- PERSON FERTILITY SUPPORT GROUPS
We offer two groups to meet varied needs of our members.Group I: For those who are planning or have completed at least one IVF cycle. Group II: For women who are in the early stages of fertility treatment or who are in the process of evaluation.
- Connect with other women who are going through a similar journey.Experience Mind/Body techniques that increase resilience, optimism and a sense of wellness.
- Discover the power and benefits of mutual support.
Groups meet at 85 Fifth Ave. (near Union Square)Facilitated by Izetta Siegal Stern, LCSW, BCD, AFA Support Group Leader. Call Izetta at 212-691-1266 or e-mail ISiegalStern@aol.comGroups are low-cost and can be considered a medical deduction. You may be able to receive some insurance reimbursement.
Izetta Siegal Stern has counseled women and couples facing fertility challenges since l986. She has been a support group facilitator in the reproductive field for many years. As a speaker at national fertility conferences, she has presented on topics including a Mind/Body approach to supporting fertility, resolving partner differences in family building and dealing with pregnancy loss.
WEST
COAST PROGRAMS
Four
Seminars Offered
- EGG
DONATION: WORKING WITH A THIRD PARTY CHOOSING
SINGLE PARENTING CREATING
A SUCCESSFUL SURROGATE ARRANGEMENT
- GAY
AND LESBIAN PARENTING
The
American Fertility Association is sponsoring separate discussion
groups for patients considering alternative family building
options. The emotional, medical and practical aspects of
each of these arrangements will be explored, such that
prospective parents can make an informed decision about
whether these plans are the “right” choice
for them.
Elaine R. Gordon |
Elaine
R. Gordon, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist
with a specialty in reproductive medicine. She has worked
in the field for twenty years helping individuals and
couples build families through non-traditional options.
She is the author of “Mommy, Did I Grow in
Your Tummy? Where some Babies Come From”. |
| Ellen
Speyer, M.A., M.S., MFT. is a psychotherapist
with twenty years with working with assisted reproduction,
pregnancy loss, surrogacy, and adoption. She is a retired
Chair of the Education Committee for the Mental Health
Professional Group of the American Society for Reproductive
Medicine. |
| Location: Groups
will be offered both in Orange County and Los Angeles |
| Dates: Call
for meeting dates |
Phone: (310)
454-0502 or (949) 252-1525 |
| Time: 1:00
p.m. – 3:00 p.m |
Fee: $30
individual; $40 per couple |
| Group
Size Limited, Reservations Required |
This is your chat series. Our tuesday nights together are all about you. So.....what do you want to talk about? Please let me know what's important to you. We can create a chat around any issue that will help move you forward. Please email me today and let me know.
We
look forward to having you join us tonight!
Till then,
Corey Whelan corey@theafa.org,
Chat Moderator,
and the AFA Staff |
Corey Whelan |
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