Assisted Reproductive Technology: Counseling and Disclosure With Children

Abstract

In this study, we examined counseling services provided in assisted reproductive technology clinics in the United States, specifically with regard to disclosure to resulting children. The issue of disclosure in assisted reproductive technology is an emerging issue in clinics that provide such services. Surveys from 182 clinics revealed that the majority of clinics reported providing counseling about general infertility issues. However, routine counseling and counseling about disclosure issues were much less frequent, even though respondents reported a need for such services. Over 50% of respondents indicated that parents needed help responding to children's questions and 41% reported that professionals needed help providing information to children. Counseling and psychoeducational services for all reproductive clinic patients, especially with regard to issues of disclosure to children, may be an important issue for psychologists to address.