Advanced Reproductive Health Center, Ltd. (ARHC) in conjunction with The Chicago Stress Relief Center, Inc. (CSRC) provides comprehensive psychological health care to all ARHC patients. All clinical services are managed via the founder and director of CSRC, Dr. Howard K. Weissman, Psy.D. Dr. Weissman's history with ARHC goes back to the genesis of the organization. Dr. Brasch invited Dr. Weissman to provide stress assessments to patients as he appreciated how important it is to successfully manage stress during the infertility process.

Pregnancy rates increased among infertile women who supported medical therapies with stress reduction or support group treatment. Harvard University investigators reported at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine meeting that 76% of women who participated in stress management groups with other infertile women became pregnant after 1 year as compared to 28% of those not in a cognitive therapy group. (USA Today, October 6, 1998)

In addition to providing individual material and group therapy to the patients of ARHC, Dr. Weissman has provided stress management sessions to the front-line employees, lectured on the psychological impact of infertility stress, and created an IVF relaxation tape/cd which has become a standard for all patients undergoing IVF treatment. Dr. Weissman's article, "Mind/Body Approaches to Managing Infertility" is available to all new patients.

Dr. Weissman and his associates provide all clinical services to the patients at ARHC. The services include "emotional empowerment sessions" provided in a confidential individual and/or marital format.

Specific infertility stress services offered by The Chicago Stress Relief Center, Inc include the following:

• Emotional Empowerment Sessions
  During the diagnostic phase of the infertility work-up, all patients will go through two emotional empowerment sessions. The patient can expect to gain a greater understanding of how infertility stress in impacting their lives. Concrete skills are taught to aid the individual/couple in managing the multitude of ways infertility stress manifests in their relationships. The staff at CSRC will teach deep relaxation, guided imagery, cognitive restructuring, pain management and communication skills enhancement. 24-hour telephone consultation for patients in crisis is available through a staff member of The Chicago Stress Relief Center, Inc.
• Egg and Sperm Donor Assessments
  Our egg donor program evaluates the mental health of the donor via psychological instruments and a clinical interview. Verbal feedback and an individualized report are provided.

For more information about Dr. Weissman and his clinical staff and services, please CONTACT US or Dr. Weissman directly at 847-412-0922 or by visiting the CSRC website at The Chicago Stress Relief Center, Inc.

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