Lisa Rouff, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in infertility and adoption. Her private practice is located in Grayslake, Illinois and Chicago, Illinois. She can be reached at drrouff@lisarouff.com. For more information, please visit www.lisarouff.com
Author Archives: Lisa Rouff, Ph.D.
This is your brain on fertility drugs: psychological side effects of fertility medication
Usually, at the RE’s office, new patients are told that fertility medications may make them “a little moody”. This is not exactly true–ask any IF veteran, and she will tell you that they have the potential to make you VERY … Continue reading
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The end of the line? The decision to end infertility treatment
A reader asked me to address the issue of how you can tell if you should stop infertility treatment. This is a very important question, and one that is perhaps impossible to answer. However, I am going to try my … Continue reading
Infertility treatment, love and courage
In infertility treatment, it’s pretty easy to name the negative processes at play. The longing for, and not yet having, a child. The uncertainty and waiting for answers. The invasive, expensive, and time consuming medical treatments. The soul-crushing losses and … Continue reading
Infertility and competitiveness among women–a question
Here is a question for those out there in cyberspace who might be reading this blog…during your interactions with the “fertile” world, have you ever felt that women were using your infertility to somehow position themselves as “better” or “superior” … Continue reading
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Ambivalence–its role in decision making in infertility treatment
Individuals in infertility treatment are often faced with difficult and life-changing decisions. Usually, there is no “right” option involved in these decisions. No one but you can decide, for instance, if you should keep going in treatment or if you … Continue reading
A cautionary tale of two treatments–the role of emotion and the scientific perspective in infertility treatment
Being a clinical psychologist, I am naturally drawn to thinking about emotions. They are the currency of my work; it almost always seems to me like it’s a good idea to discuss them, understand them, and draw them out. And … Continue reading
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When she’s pregnant and you’re not: Infertility, envy and acceptancre
One significant psychological challenge for those encountering infertility is dealing with the constant stream of pregnancies in the lives around them. Whether it is at work, with friends or family, or just walking down the street or through the mall, … Continue reading
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The negatives of positive thinking–denial, optimism, and pragmatism in infertility treatment
One question I am frequently asked by clients in the process of infertility treatment is what sort of attitudes and expectations they should maintain about the outcome of their treatment. In my experience, it can be common for some infertility … Continue reading
When you and your body are on the “outs”: negative body feelings and infertility
Infertility is, at its base, a medical condition. Whatever the cause, there is some part or parts of your body that aren’t functioning as intended. Not only is this difficult from a pragmatic perspective, it is also difficult from a … Continue reading
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When your problems have problems: setbacks in infertility treatment
Experiencing setbacks, disappointments, and other obstacles is very common when undergoing infertility treatment. In an emotionally charged environment, such occurrences can cause a great deal of distress. Many times I have seen clients, who are already upset about their situation, … Continue reading
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