Like many, I started my career in a field I thought was right for me, only to discover a deeper passion along the way. My journey began as a teacher on Long Island, where I spent several years working with special education students. In 1978, I made the move to San Francisco and continued teaching adolescents with special needs. However, I soon realized that my true joy lay not in traditional teaching but in the informal counseling and group sessions that occurred outside the classroom. This realization drove me to pursue a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) degree, and I became licensed in 1984.
After a few more years in the school system as a counselor for special education students, I opened a private practice where I counseled women and couples. By the early 1990s, inspired by my work with another therapist, I transitioned to training other counselors, which was both exciting and refreshing. During this time, I faced personal challenges as my husband and I struggled with infertility. After various treatments, we finally welcomed our daughter into our lives through adoption—a truly wonderful path to family for us!
Taking some time off to bond with our daughter, who was adopted at birth, ignited my passion even more. Our experiences with infertility led us to join a support group through Resolve, which helped us feel less isolated. This involvement inspired me to conduct adoption home studies, join the Board of Resolve of Northern California, and lead support groups. Eventually, I began counseling couples facing infertility, thanks to referrals from Resolve. My dedication to the cause has only grown; I currently coordinate support services and have spoken at conferences, including serving as the keynote speaker in 1995. This year, I’m honored to be part of Resolve’s National Mental Health Advisory Board.
My work at a fertility center began over eight years ago through a colleague’s referral. Around the same time, I started attending ASRM Mental Health Professional Group (ASRM-MHPG) conferences. In 2001, I became co-chair of the Internet Integration Task Force to build an online community of therapists. The work we do is fascinating and crucial, especially regarding ethical issues surrounding egg donation. My role in this community has deepened my interest in researching stress related to infertility, and I look forward to developing a study at the fertility center.
My journey has been fueled by passion that stemmed from pain. If you’re interested in diving deeper into family-building options, check out this helpful blog post about starting a family. Also, for those exploring at-home insemination, resources like this one can be invaluable.
In summary, our experiences shape us, and sometimes, the challenges we face can lead us to our greatest passions. I’m grateful for the path I’ve taken, and I’m excited to continue supporting others on their journeys to parenthood.