Survive Thrive Bloom
Survive Thrive Bloom
Infertility is classified as a traumatic life event. Other life events of similar traumatic impact include: A diagnosis of a serious illness, loss of a loved one, divorce, or job loss.
Psychological research has indicated that when people ascribe meaning to their struggles, they become more resilient, and as a result cope better with their current difficulties. Resilient individuals are also able to look back upon a very challenging period in their life and view it as opportunity for growth and learning.
Bloom Fertility Therapy Helps You To:
Survive infertility by teaching you skills to effectively manage stress, anger, grief/loss, fears, anxiety, depression, and interpersonal relationships.
Thrive by enhancing resiliency, self-awareness, and confidence.
Bloom by applying what you have learned along your fertility journey into the ‘big picture’ of your life.
Phases Of The Journey:
Many clients initiate therapy when they are in the Survive phase, while others enter at the Thrive or Bloom phase.
Each phase in Bloom Fertility Therapy builds upon the foundation of the previous phase; however, the progression through the phases is not always linear. You may find yourself cycling through phases depending on the course of your unique fertility journey.
For Example:
You may be coping well in the Thrive phase of your fertility journey, when you find out your recent cycle of IVF has not been successful. It is completely understandable that you may now go back into the Survive phase as you cope with this news. You may stay there as you grieve the accompanying losses and figure out your next steps.
OR
You may be in the Bloom phase of your journey when suddenly you reach an unexpected roadblock such as: Pregnancy loss, financial hardship, or needing to explore alternative options for becoming parents. As a result, you may re-enter the Thrive or Survive phase as you work through the challenge.
Survive Thrive Bloom
Survive Thrive Bloom
SURVIVE
YOU MIGHT BE IN THIS PHASE IF YOU ARE:
THINKING
“Why me?”
“How am I going to do this?”
“What if it doesn’t work?”
“I don’t know what to do?”
“What am I doing wrong?”
“Why isn’t this working?”
“Will I ever be a parent?”
FEELING
Sad
Angry
Anxious
Stressed and Overwhelmed
Frustrated and Discouraged
Like you are treading water
As though life simultaneously moves on and stands still
BEHAVING
Going through the motions – following instructions of medical professionals.
Researching and gathering information in an attempt to regain control.
Trying your very best to “make it work.”
To Survive is defined as “a state of continuing to live or exist, typically in spite of difficult circumstances.”
SKILLS LEARNED IN THIS PHASE:
Skills we will work on enhancing in this phase are:
Primary Stress Management Tools: How to balance infertility with your life (work, home, finances, social life).
Basic Communication Strategies: How to talk with your doctors, friends, or family members about your challenges and ask for the support you need.
Essential Self-Care Practices: How to prepare your mind, body & spirit for the fertility journey.
Accessing Resources: How to get connected with resources that will support you on your journey, i.e., complementary health-care practitioners, support groups, reading materials, financial aids.
OUTCOMES FROM THIS PHASE:
By the end of this phase it is my hope that:
You will be feeling more grounded and settled within your fertility journey.
You will be equipped with skills to manage ongoing stressors while advocating for what you need and accessing supports along the way.
You will have a plan about how to proceed and move beyond surviving into the next stage of your journey → Thriving.
THRIVE
YOU MIGHT BE IN THIS PHASE IF YOU ARE:
THINKING
“I can do this.”
“I am flowing with this journey.”
“I know what I am working on.”
“I have a plan.”
FEELING
Open to Growth & Learning
Empowered to Accomplish
A Sense of Hopefulness
Mostly Calm and Grounded
Balanced and Confident
BEHAVING
Enacting action plans towards your fertility goals.
Engaged in a regular self-care routine for overall wellness.
Working on self-growth and/or relationship development.
To Thrive is defined as “a state where people are to prosper, be successful, and to grow and develop vigorously.”
SKILLS LEARNED IN THIS PHASE:
Skills we will work on enhancing in this phase are:
Processing Grief: How to work through pain, disappointment, and loss of hope while cultivating meaning as you move forward into your future.
Addressing Obstacles Along the Journey: Exploration of limiting beliefs, creating response plans for unexpected events, and learning how to tolerate uncertainty.
Boundary Setting and Assertive Communication Skills: Learning how to say no to others/events (i.e., baby showers or family events) in order to care for yourself. Tools for asking family members and friends for the support you need.
Decision-Making Tools: Exploring your options, deciding on next steps, and evaluating progress towards your fertility goals.
Enhanced Self-Care Practices: How to sustain your physical and emotional energy when you encounter setbacks and the journey is taking longer than expected.
OUTCOMES FROM THIS PHASE:
By the end of this phase it is my hope that:
You will be feeling empowered and more hopeful as you continue along your fertility journey.
You will feel a renewed sense of optimism as you learn to relate differently to the challenges you face.
You progress to no longer feeling like you are merely treading water, but that you now are engaged in forward momentum.
You have a plan and are confident in your ability to adapt to any unexpected twists and turns that may lie ahead.
You are ready to move to the next phase of blooming as you apply what you have been learning to the big picture of your life.
BLOOM
YOU MIGHT BE IN THIS PHASE IF YOU ARE:
THINKING
“I’m inspired by this journey.”
“What might this challenge be teaching me?”
“I’m learning so much about myself in this process.”
“I can see how this experience can be applied to other areas in my life.”
FEELING
Committed to continuing your growth
More at peace with yourself and your situation
Aware and insightful
Inspired by your journey
Engaged and energized
Compassion towards yourself
BEHAVING
Displaying acts of self-compassion.
Able to greet challenges with acceptance vs. resistance and flow with the process.
Actively living out a sustainable plan for your own well-being.
Apply your acquired skills to new challenges.
To Bloom is defined as “a state of high development. A time to flourish into the achievement of one’s potential.”
SKILLS LEARNED IN THIS PHASE:
Skills we will work on enhancing in this phase are:
Creating a Growth Map by examining your personal values, belief system and exploring how your fertility journey has changed and shaped your views.
Cultivating your meaning-making process by reflecting upon the significance of your fertility journey and discussing the application of new life lessons to future challenges you may encounter.
Advanced Communication & Relationship Skills: Tools for parenting after infertility and dealing with feelings of perfectionism, pressure, or guilt. Skills for coping with prenatal and/or postnatal anxiety and depression. Ideas for how to talk to your child(ren) about your unique fertility journey. Or strategies for adjusting to a child-free lifestyle.
OUTCOMES FROM THIS PHASE:
By the end of this phase it is my hope that:
You will be experiencing an overall level of happiness and contentment in your life.
You feel that you are actively living out a sustainable plan for your own well-being.
As you continue to bloom and flourish in life you will apply your acquired skills to new challenges while remaining open to continuous learning and personal development.
