Psychosomatics 

Strengthen the psyche, reduce stress 

An unfulfilled desire to have children is a particular psychological burden that leads to very different thoughts and feelings in couples. When the hectic pace of everyday life, stress or a professional crisis are added to the mix, it is particularly important to keep an eye on one's own resources. An essential aspect of our treatment concept is to provide you not only with medical care, but also with psychological support. The type and extent of psychological support depends on your personal needs. Please discuss this with our psychotherapists.

Involuntary childlessness - the underestimated burden

If the natural, existential desire to have a child can only be fulfilled with medical help, powerlessness, insecurity, fear, grief and anger are frequent consequences. Nevertheless, you must not lose your confidence and faith in a solution. However, success in this can vary. Many of those affected are able to see involuntary childlessness as a challenge and go through treatment with a positive attitude. Others have a greater need to talk and require more encouragement and support. That is what we want to give you.

Our offers for psychological support

We do not want to leave you alone with your worries. Why not take a moment, review your need for psychological support and find out if you could benefit from one of our services:

We offer you a protected space to discuss your stresses. Bring up your concerns in the first consultation - and we'll look for solutions together. You can take advantage of this consultation offer alone or as a couple. However, we recommend that you come together for at least the first session so that our psychologist can get as full an impression of your situation as possible. 

If you have a tumour and wish to have another child after your treatment, ovarian tissue can be removed endoscopically before chemotherapy, frozen and transplanted again after the disease has healed. For more information, see cryopreservation.

1.When are individual and couple meetings useful?

Individual and couples sessions are useful if you are looking for a safe space to talk about your stress and that stress is high. After all, the more stressed you are, the less suitable a group offer is for you. 

2.What topics are being discussed?

To give you an idea, we present three of many possible topics:  

  • You're pregnant? Not pregnant?
    In addition to the unfulfilled desire for a child itself, the reproductive medical treatment also poses great challenges for you. You have to be patient all the time and deal with uncertainties and uncontrollable situations. Everyone develops their own strategies for coping. Since men and women often deal with these situations differently, problems can arise in the partnership. In your couple meetings, the strategies used so far are worked out and, if necessary, expanded. It can also be an issue of learning to appreciate or better coordinate the different ways of dealing with the situation.
     
  • What do I actually want to communicate to the world around me?
    The (non)parents wish for a grandchild, the friends have children and the colleagues wonder about the frequent doctor's appointments. Maybe the people around you also ask why you "do not just say goodbye to your desire to have children"? How do you deal with these challenges? How are you doing with that? If you need assistance with such considerations, we are here for you.
     
  • How are we doing in our partnership?
    Involuntary childlessness can take up a lot of space in everyday life because of the feelings associated with it, such as sadness, anger and fear. Sometimes it happens that the partners move away from each other as a result. As a man, you may feel helpless in dealing with your wife's sadness. As a woman, you may not know how to deal with guilt feelings from your partner. Sexuality can also change: Some couples find it less pleasurable and have less and less desire for it. The psychological talks should help you to discuss this openly with each other and to develop solutions together.

3.How do I get an appointment?

Call on 0221 2776-200 or use our contact form to make an appointment for an initial orientation consultation. In this consultation, you describe your concerns and your stress so that we can plan the next steps together. This can range from a brief consultation to psychotherapy. 

4.Assumption of costs for psychological care

As a rule, private and statutory health insurance companies as well as the state aid cover the treatment costs, provided that they are included in the catalogue of benefits. Please check with your insurance company whether this also applies to you. 

Our doctors are registered in the doctor/psychotherapist register of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Doctors North Rhine (according to §4 of the Medical Licensing Regulation). All costs are based on the fee schedule for psychological psychotherapists (FSPP).

We offer groups on the following topics: "Emotionally and Mentally Coping with Involuntary Childlessness," "Understanding and Coping with a Mood Low," and "Men Need Support Too."


Fighting your way out of misery
Despite modern medicine, the path to having your own child is uncertain. Dealing with it requires psychological resources and coping with a wide range of emotions. Because rarely do hope, sadness, disappointment and anger lie so close together as with the wish for a child of one's own. And yet: You are not alone in your situation. Our group offers serve the exchange of the patients and should help to classify the own feelings and to get to know new coping strategies.

1.Group offer for women: What is the best way to deal with my involuntary childlessness?

Many patients are in the same boat. The longing for a child of one's own is great, the way there is uncertain. This particular life situation requires the management of a wide range of emotions. Many patients report that they deal with their worries and feelings mainly with themselves. This group offer enables the exchange between patients. The aim here is to learn about one's own and alternative mechanisms for coping with the difficult situation. In addition, the interaction of thoughts and feelings should be understood and be able to be applied in everyday life.
 

  • Is the offer suitable for me? This group offer is suitable for patients who are interested in a personal exchange with other affected people and who would like to get to know their own processing mechanisms as well as those of others. 
     
  • What can I expect at the group sessions? Six patients may attend the group by appointment (see below). There are four sessions on specific topics. These last about 50 minutes each. At the beginning, the psychologist will briefly introduce you to the topic. The participants then exchange their views. All patients agree not to disclose any personal information. 
     
  • What are the costs? The participation fee is €100.00 plus VAT for four sessions including working materials. 
     
  • When do the courses take place? You can find out about possible dates from us.
     

2.Group offer for men: And what about my problems?

We not only have our patients in mind, but also the partners involved. Because men also suffer from the unfulfilled desire to have children. Some may feel guilty because the physical cause of not having a child is with them. The others feel overwhelmed by their wife's sadness. And still others know no way out of their disappointment, anger or grief. 

One thing these men often have in common: They become speechless in the face of their unfulfilled desire to have children. This offer counteracts that. 
 

  • Is the offer suitable for me? This group offer is suitable for men who suffer from involuntary childlessness and are looking for a protected space to exchange ideas with other affected men. The main points are the exchange of information about one's own state of health, previous attempts to cope and how to deal with one's partner.
     
  • What can I expect at the group sessions? After registration, six men can participate in the group. The first consultation is about the exchange about the personal situation as well as how to deal with the burdened partner. The topics of the further meetings are adapted to the needs of the group. 
     
  • What are the costs? The participation fee is €100.00 plus VAT for four sessions including working materials. 
     
  • When do the courses take place? You can find out about possible dates from us.
     

3.None of this is helping you?

Then do not hesitate to contact us. Surely we can find a solution to support you mentally as well.
 

Learn how Autogenic Training or Progressive Muscle Relaxation according to Jacobson can help you to relax better and to find a more relaxed attitude and inner peace. Finally, stress symptoms are not uncommon during fertility treatment. 

 

1.Progressive muscle relaxation according to Jacobson (PMR)

This relaxation training can improve your well-being. It is used specifically to reduce and prevent stress-related illnesses. Psychological tension, anxiety disorders, sleep disorders or depression can be positively influenced. 

Through PMR you can achieve a deep physical feeling of calmness and thereby mental serenity.

2.Autogenic training according to Schultz (AT)

Autogenic training is also used for stress management. Psychological tension, anxiety disorders, sleep disorders, high blood pressure, tinnitus can be positively influenced. In addition, physical tensions are reduced and you counteract back pain, muscle aches and headaches. 

Through AT, you can work towards a deep physical sense of calm and thereby mental serenity.

3.When do the next courses start?

The start of the courses is variable. They start when the group reaches a certain number of participants. Please contact us to learn more. 

4.How much does it cost to attend?

The participation fee is €150.00 plus VAT.

PMR is recognised by the statutory health insurance funds as a primary preventive measure in accordance with §20 SSC V. They reimburse up to 80% of the costs. At the end of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance to present to your health insurance company.