Hum. Reprod. Advance Access originally published online on May 20, 2004
Human Reproduction 2004 19(8):1917-1923; doi:10.1093/humrep/deh323
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Coping with infertility: a bodymind group intervention programme for infertile couples
1 Section of Family Therapy, Department of Psychiatry and 2 Leuven University Fertility Centre, B-3000, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven and 3 Interfaculty Institute for Family and Sexuality Studies, Catholic University Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
4 To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: gilbert.lemmens{at}uz.kuleuven.ac.be
BACKGROUND: The recognition of the distressing character of infertility diagnosis and treatment has led to the development of several psychosocial interventions for infertile couples. At the Leuven University Fertility Centre, a bodymind marital group intervention was developed to help infertile couples cope with the distress related to infertility. METHODS AND RESULTS: This treatment programme was originally adapted from a mindbody approach, but integrated concepts and techniques from body-oriented therapy, art therapy and multi-family group therapy. In this paper, the therapeutic foundations, treatment goals and practical implications of the mindbody marital group intervention are outlined. Further, the treatment procedure is explained in detail and illustrated by clinical vignettes. CONCLUSIONS: Although the first clinical impressions about the usefulness of the bodymind group programme in fertility clinics seem promising, further research is needed to assess its effectiveness.
Key words: art therapy/bodymind/infertility/marital group/psychosocial intervention