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Hum. Reprod. Advance Access published online on May 20, 2004
Human Reproduction, doi:10.1093/humrep/deh323
© 2004 by European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
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Received October 23, 2003
Accepted April 22, 2004

Article

Coping with infertility: a body-mind group intervention programme for infertile couples

G.M.D. Lemmens 1*, M. Vervaeke 2, P. Enzlin 3, E. Bakelants 4, D. Vanderschueren 4, T. D'Hooghe 4, K. Demyttenaere 5

1 Section of Family Therapy, Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
2 Section of Family Therapy, Department of Psychiatry and Leuven University Fertility Centre, B-3000, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
3 Section of Family Therapy, Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Interfaculty Institute for Family and Sexuality Studies, Catholic University Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
4 Leuven University Fertility Centre, B-3000, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
5 Section of Family Therapy, Department of Psychiatry and Leuven University Fertility Centre, B-3000, University Hospital Leuven and Interfaculty Institute for Family and Sexuality Studies, Catholic University Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: Gilbert.Lemmens{at}uz.kuleuven.ac.be.


  Abstract

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 body-mind 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 mind-body 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 mind-body 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 body-mind group programme in fertility clinics seem promising, further research is needed to assess its effectiveness.

Key words: art therapy, body-mind, infertility, marital group, psychosocial intervention


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[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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