Mind/Body Course . . .
Emotional-Health Education for Fertility Patients

Next course begins Tuesday, January 22, 2008. . . apply online!

Research studies have shown that the effects of stress can compromise one's fertility, as illustrated by the following findings:

  • Psychological distress is capable of inhibiting the secretion of hormones necessary for reproduction. (Chrousos, G.P., et al)

  • Women who were the most worried about certain aspects of the IVF experience were up to 30% less likely to achieve pregnancy. (Klonoff-Cohen, H., et al)

  • Depressed women were significantly less likely to achieve pregnancy than their non-depressed counterparts. (Demyttenaere, K., el al)

  • Women who completed a mind-body support class were less stressed, less depressed and achieved a much higher pregnancy rate than a wait-list control group. (Domar, A.D., et al)

Designed and directed by Stanford's Penny Donnelly, RN, MFT, and led by Penny and her staff of Stanford health coaches and therapists, Stanford infertility patients can take action to reduce emotional stress by enrolling in this new comprehensive support program . . . comprised of group sessions; emotional health assessments; and course workbooks and materials.

The next session begins January 22, 2008 meetings take place at 900 Welch Road, 2nd floor (suite 200).

course meeting dates:

session
date
time
theme
1

Tuesday, January 22

6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Program Introduction:
Stress & Infertility
2

Tuesday,
January 29

6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Stress is the Spice of Life - *Wes Alles, PhD
3
Tuesday,
February 5
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Eliciting the "Relaxation Response;"
Stress Warning Signs &
Management Techniques
4
Tuesday,
February 12
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Self care & nurturing
Mindfulness and Meditation
Nutrition and Exercise - *Jayna Rogers, MPH
5
Tuesday,
February 26
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
*Vivian Banish, MFT, OT
Expressive Art Therapy
6
Tuesday,
March 4
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Communication and Skills Building - Dealing with Family, Friends and Co-workers;
"Qigong for Stress Reflief"- Arnold Tayam, DMQ
7
Tuesday,
March 11
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Creating Optimism & Perspective;
20 Things That Bring You Joy
Recreating your "time pie" - *Fred Luskin, PhD
8
Saturday,
March 22
10:00 am - 3:30 pm
Couples Communication and Skills Building; Decision-Making
Partner massage - Guest - *Jette Jorgensen
9
Tuesday,
March 25
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Change Your Mind, Change Your Mood; Cognitive Restructuring
10
Tuesday,
April 1
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Resilience; Spirituality


COURSE FEE:

Stanford IVF patients: $560

Non-Stanford patients: $860

To apply online, please complete the Mind/Body Enrollment form
*Please enroll by January 15th to secure your spot!

For specific questions, please contact course director:
Penny Donnelly, RN, MFT
Stanford REI Center
900 Welch Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304
Phone: 650-723-6408
Email: pdonnelly@stanfordmed.org