Recipient Consultation -
De-identifed
For those using an anonymous/ de-identified egg, sperm, or embyro donor
What should I expect from a Recipient Consultation?
This is a one-time, single session consultation for people who are planning to, or considering using, donor eggs, donor sperm, or donor embryos. The session will be held virtually, via HIPAA-compliant Google Meet. The session usually lasts about 1.5 hours. If you are going through this process with a spouse or partner, then that person will also need to attend the session with you.
What do you mean by "an anonymous or de-identified donor"?
An anonymous or de-identified donor is a donor who is not known to you in your real life. This is a donor who has donated through a sperm bank or through a clinic or agency.
Is this a psychological evaluation?
No, this is a planning/ education session to help you feel more prepared as you start the process to grow your family through donor conceptions.
What is covered in the session?
We cover a lot of topics, including:
✓ Considerations in selecting a donor
✓ Coping with the emotional challenges of donor conception
✓ How to handle questions from friends and family
✓ Whether and how to disclose to your future child
✓ What kids want to know about donors
✓ Anonymity considerations
✓ Special considerations in raising donor-conceived children
What should I do to prepare for the session?
It may be helpful to take a few minutes and jot down questions that you have about donor conception. But, even if you don't have any questions that you are hoping to cover, we will go over the main considerations.
How do people respond to having attended one of these sessions?
Many clients that I work with are excited to have dedicated time to process and learn more about donor conception. Others may feel frustrated at the need to go through this session before they are able to proceed with their fertility clinic. Regardless, after the session most people say that they found it very helpful and they feel more equipped to proceed with this method of family building.
How much does the session cost?
The cost is $350. This includes the session time and a report to your clinic.
How can I schedule a session?
If you are ready now, you can follow the link below to see my availability and get scheduled. If it would be helpful to talk with me before scheduling, you can reach me at dr.blazei@rwbpsychology.com or 919-720-1452.
Recipient Consultation Scheduling Link - Anonymous/De-Identified
Egg Donors
For those who are working with a clinic and have been told they need to complete the donor psychological evaluation
What should I expect during an egg donor psychological evaluation?
This is a one-time, single session evaluation for people who are in the process of donating eggs through a clinic. The session will be held virtually, via HIPAA-compliant Google Meet. The session usually lasts about 2 to 2.5 hours. In this session, we will first talk for about 1.5 to 2 hours about your life and how things are going for you currently. We will also talk about why you want to be a donor and I will share ways that being a donor could impact you in the future. We want to make sure that you understand what is involved in donation so that you can make the right choice for you about donating. After this discussion you will complete a personality inventory online while staying on the video call.
Does the session cost me anything?
No, the session is paid for by the fertility clinic.
How can I schedule a session?
If you are ready now, you can use link the below to see my availability and get scheduled. If it would be helpful to talk with me before scheduling, you can reach me at dr.blazei@rwbpsychology.com or 919-720-1452.
Intended Parents and Gestational Carriers
What should I expect from an Intended Parent and Gestational Carrier Consultation?
There are three parts to the consultation:
1 - An Intended Parent (IP) session that will take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. In this session we discuss your expectations for a gestational carrier (GC) match. We can also provide psychoeducation on gestational surrogacy and important considerations in matching with a prospective GC.
2 - An evaluation for your prospective GC. If your GC is in a relationship, then the GC's spouse/partner will need to attend as well. This session will take approximately 2.5 to 3 hours and includes a personality inventory for your prospective donor.
3 - A joint counseling session between the IP(s), GC, and GC's spouse/partner (if any). This session will take about an hour.
All three sessions will be held virtually, via HIPAA-compliant Google Meet.
What is the cost of these sessions?
The total cost is $1950 (which breaks down as: $1050 for the GC's evaluation, $600 for the IP consultation, and $300 for the joint counseling session). This includes the session time and a report to your clinic.
Do I need to wait to schedule an IP session until after I've matched with a GC?
This can be done either way. If you have not yet matched with a GC, we can spend some of the session time helping you think through what is important to you in a match and discuss various ways to match with a GC. If you have already matched, we will focus more on emotional processing and specifics of the match.
How can I schedule a session?
If you are ready now, you can use the links below to see my availability and get scheduled. Usually the sessions are scheduled across more than one day. The joint counseling session needs to be the last of the sessions. If it would be helpful to talk with me before scheduling, you can reach me at dr.blazei@rwbpsychology.com or 919-720-1452.
Known/ Directed Sperm or Egg Donation
For those using a known or directed donor
What is meant by "a known or directed donor"?
A known or directed donor is someone who is known to your in your real life. This may be a family member, a friend, or someone who you met for the purpose of donation.
What should I expect from a Known Donor/ Directed Donor Consultation?
When you are working with a known/directed donor, the process of the psychological consultations is a bit more involved than if you were using an anonymous/de-identified donor. There are three parts to the consultation:
1 - A psycho-educational session for the recipient(s). This will take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
2 - An evaluation for your donor. If your donor is in a relationship, then the donor's spouse/partner will need to attend as well. This session will take approximately 2 to 2.5 hours and includes a personality inventory for your prospective donor.
3 - A joint counseling session between the recipient(s), donor, and donor's spouse/partner (if any). This session will take about an hour.
All three sessions will be held virtually, via HIPAA-compliant Google Meet.
What is the cost of these sessions?
The total cost is $1400 (which breaks down as: $650 for the donor evaluation, $500 for the recipient consultation, $250 for the joint counseling session). This includes the session time and a report to your clinic.
How can I schedule a session?
If you are ready now, you can use the links below to see my availability and get scheduled. Usually the sessions are scheduled across more than one day. The joint counseling session needs to be the last of the sessions. If it would be helpful to talk with me before scheduling, you can reach me at dr.blazei@rwbpsychology.com or 919-720-1452.
Known Recipient Consultation scheduling link
Known/ Directed Embryo Donation
For those entering into an embryo donation with someone who is known to you or someone who you met for the purpose of embryo donation
What do you mean by "a known or directed donor"?
A known or directed donor is someone who is known to you in your real life. This may be a family member, a friend, or someone who you met for the purpose of donation.
What should I expect from a Known Donor/Directed Donor Consultation?
When you are working with a known/directed donor, the process of the psychological consultations is a bit more involved than if you were using an anonymous/de-identified donor. There are three parts to the consultation:
1 - A psycho-educational session for the recipient(s). This will take approximately 1.5 hours.
2 - A psycho-educational session for your donor(s). This session will take approximately 1.5 hours.
3 - A joint counseling session between the recipient(s) and donor(s). This session will take about an hour.
All three sessions will be held virtually, via HIPAA-compliant Google Meet.
What is the cost of these sessions?
The total cost is $1050 (which breaks down as: $400 for the donor consultation, $400 for the recipient consultation, and $250 for the joint counseling session). This includes the session time and a report to your clinic.
How can I schedule a session?
If you are ready now, you can use the links below to see my availability and get scheduled. Usually the sessions are scheduled across more than one day. The joint counseling session needs to be the last of the sessions. If it would be helpful to talk with me before scheduling, you can reach me at dr.blazei@rwbpsychology.com or 919-720-1452.
Known Recipient Consultation scheduling link - Donor Embryos
Individual Therapy
Do you offer individual therapy?
Yes, I offer individual therapy sessions to adults age 18+. I am trained and have experience helping people with a wide range of presenting complaints. These include:
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Coping with Infertility
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Pregnancy Loss
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Relationship Issues
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Stress Management
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Anger Management
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Anxiety
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Depression
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Grief
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Insomnia
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Family Conflict
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Self-esteem
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Trauma and PTSD
Do you offer marital counseling?
No, I do not offer marital counseling services. I do, however, work with couples who want to focus on infertility stress, family building decisions, and third party reproduction.
Do you offer in-person sessions?
At this time, my practice is fully virtual.
What is the cost of a therapy session?
The first session usually takes 50-60 minutes and the cost is $200. Follow-up sessions are generally 45-50 minutes and the cost is $165.
Do you accept insurance?
No, I am considered an out-of-network provider. If you choose, I can provide you with a superbill that you can submit directly to your insurance company for reimbursement according to your out-of-network benefits. You would be responsible for contacting your insurance company to understand what, if anything, they would reimburse.
How can I schedule a session?
My caseload for new therapy patients is currently full. If you are a previous client wanting to resume services, please contact me directly. If you are a new client, please click the link below if you would like to submit your information and be added to a waiting list.