Counselling and Support

You are never alone on this important journey.

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Counselling and Support

You are never alone on this important journey.

Common Questions

Prenatal Classes

Balanced and Holistic Support

Counselling

Support Groups

2SLGBTQIA + Resources

Fertility Coaching

Non-Profit Fertility Organizations

Additional Resources

Prenatal Classes

Markham Prenatal, a trusted and experienced prenatal program provider for the past 30 years, is pleased to partner with Markham Fertility Centre to present this FREE webinar. The class is designed for those who are in the early stages of pregnancy.

Topics covered in the 90 minute virtual class include:

Fetal development
Early pregnancy symptoms
Planning for your pregnancy
Diagnostic tests
Nutrition & Exercises
Safe choices in pregnancy

There is an upcoming class scheduled for:

Wednesday, May 6, 2026 (7:00pm - 8:30pm)
Wednesday May 27, 2026 (7:00pm - 8:30pm)
Wednesday June 19, 2026 (7:00pm - 8:30pm)

Counselling and Support: Balanced and Holistic Support

Embarking on a journey through assisted reproduction can stir a whirlwind of emotions. At Markham Fertility Centre, we believe in nurturing your mental and emotional wellbeing just as much as your physical health. Our mission is to empower and support you throughout this journey, ensuring you feel valued and understood, whatever the outcome may be. Here’s how we pledge our commitment:

Active listening. You're the protagonist of your unique story; we're here to play the supporting role. We'll lend an empathetic ear, taking all the time necessary to truly understand your feelings and concerns. Feel free to ask, clarify, or share. We are here to listen without judgment.

Transparent Communication. Transparency is paramount, especially in fertility care. We provide clear, honest insights about your treatment options, expected results, and any uncertainties. This approach equips you to make well-informed decisions tailored to your unique journey.

Connections to Expert Counsel. The road of fertility treatment can sometimes benefit from guidance beyond medical expertise. Recognizing the importance of counselling & support, we’ll introduce you to accomplished counsellors and psychologists who have a deep understanding of fertility challenges and the nuances of assisted reproduction.

Trauma-Informed Care. Everyone has their own backstory, and we approach each patient with that in mind. Not everyone has experienced trauma, but we'll never make presumptions. Our team is trained to offer compassionate care, appreciating the uniqueness of your experiences.

Building Trustworthy Relationships. Your trust is invaluable. We're committed to forging a robust patient-doctor bond, recognizing our duty to offer both personal care from our in-house team and collaborate with community partners to ensure holistic support.

At Markham Fertility Centre, your well-being is our priority, and we’re devoted to standing by your side at every step of your fertility journey.

Counselling

The following counsellors specialize in fertility and related counselling. We encourage you to explore your options and find the right fit for you.

Toronto Therapy Practice

At TTP, we provide compassionate and specialized care for individuals and couples navigating the fertility process and family-building journey. Our founder, who worked at Mount Sinai in perinatal mental health, brings a decade of experience with fertility clients to lead a team of highly skilled therapists. Each of our therapists has at least a decade of experience and is deeply committed to supporting clients through this important life transition. We offer a free 20 minute consultation for those wishing to learn more. For Markham Fertility clients, we’re pleased to offer a $100 credit with the code MARKHAM.

Website

BRIA

BRIA is a virtual mental healthcare clinic that supports those going through the fertility process. BRIA provides an array of mental health services for individuals, partners, and couples. Services include intake assessments, talk therapy, and MD Psychiatric care when needed. Whether you are looking for support to navigate the stresses of the fertility journey or need guidance around medication safety while trying to conceive, BRIA can help. BRIA offers a free 15-minute introductory call to those wishing to learn more.

Informed fertility is a counselling practice specifically designed to support individuals, couples and groups in their family building goals. Dara Roth Edney is the founder and lead counsellor. Blair Wexler Singer works alongside Dara. Together, they offer support to those experiencing primary or secondary infertility as well as to those who do not have infertility, but are seeking options for family creation (i.e. for reasons related to sexual orientation/gender identity relation status etc.). Dara and Blair also provide many services from donor and surrogate assessments, support using donor sperm to pregnancy, parenting or moving on, as well as group counselling.

Website

Brittany Marshall Counselling

Brittany Marshall is a Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist with over a decade of experience providing psychotherapy to children, adolescents, and families across Ontario.
Brittany brings both clinical expertise and lived experience to her work. Having personally navigated infertility and becoming a parent through IVF, she is deeply passionate about supporting people throughout their fertility journeys. She is also committed to supporting healthcare professionals working in this field, with a focus on emotional wellbeing, communication, and burnout prevention.

Brittany's approach is compassionate, collaborative, and grounded in helping individuals build resilience and meaningful coping strategies.

Website

Lumos Counselling & Psychotherapy

Lumos Counselling & Psychotherapy offers compassionate, trauma-informed counselling for individuals and couples navigating the emotional challenges of fertility and family building. Our psychotherapists support patients through every stage of the journey, including fertility treatment, pregnancy loss, decision-making around treatment options, and relationship stress that can arise during this process. Lumos provides evidence-based virtual therapy across Ontario and Canada, offering a supportive space for patients to process their experiences and build resilience throughout their fertility journey. We also offer culturally responsive care, including support tailored to South Asian individuals and families, with an understanding of the cultural values, stigma, intergenerational dynamics, and community expectations that can shape fertility and mental health experiences. Our approach aims to create a safe, inclusive space where clients feel seen, respected, and understood within their cultural context.

Website

Margaret Russ MSW, RSW

Margaret Russ is a Reproductive Health Counsellor in Toronto with 25 years of counselling experience. Having personally navigated infertility and successful fertility treatments, she understand the emotional roller coaster her clients face.

Margaret's practice involves infertility/fertility counselling and conducting psychosocial assessments for egg, sperm, and embryo donors, gestational carriers, and intended parents. She also supports adult donor offspring in navigating their unique experiences and relationships, provide grief counselling for those who have experienced losses, and help explore family-building options. She is solution focused, educates, enhance problem-solving skills, helps develop effective coping strategies, and can assist in conflict resolution.

Providing a compassionate, nonjudgmental and inclusive environment, she focuses on building resilience and improving relationships, ensuring clients feel supported throughout their journey.

Margaret holds both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Social Work and is a Registered Social Worker, a member of OASWSSW and OASW, and the Canadian Fertility and Anthology Society.

For support on your reproductive health journey, please contact: 416-230-4721 or margaretruss@rogers.com. For in-person and virtual evening appointments at 4939 Dundas St. W., (and Burnhamthorpe) Toronto M9A 1B6.

Website

Support Groups

Support groups provide a comforting space where individuals can share experiences, offer insights, and find solace among peers facing similar challenges. Here are some support groups we recommend.

Oasis Fertility Support Network

Oasis Fertility Support Network exists to create a community where no one would feel alone on their fertility journey. They bring hope and guidance to others who are struggling to build their families through FREE peer-led support groups and programs. Oasis support groups exist for anyone who is using fertility treatment or adoption to start their family because they face a medical or physical barrier in the way of their fertility. Every month, group members can share their stories, connect and learn from each other, leaving with a sense of renewed strength, energy and hope.

Website

Fresh Insight

Informed Fertility

North York General - Late Loss Support Group

The Late Loss Support Group is an open virtual support group that will give you an opportunity to share your experiences and connect with other parents who have experienced a recent (within the past year) late pregnancy loss or neonatal death. Late pregnancy loss is defined as 20+ weeks and includes a still birth or loss due to incompatibility with life. There is no fee to attend this group.

Website

South Asian Fertility Support

Virtually hosted by Bhavna Verma, Registered Psychotherapist, DCP and Meena Phull, Holistic Fertility Coach.
Navigate the journey to parenthood by integrating modern psychotherapy with holistic mind-body practices. Join a supportive community that understands South Asian cultural nuances.
Join our free virtual support group, held on the last Tuesday of every month from 7:30 to 9:00 PM.

View the info flyer

2SLGBTQIA+ Resources

Embarking on the journey of assisted reproduction is emotionally intense, and it can feel even more overwhelming when you don’t fit the conventional mold. At Markham Fertility Centre, we celebrate diversity and are committed to making your family-building experience joyous and inclusive. While we offer unwavering support, there are also valuable community resources available to enhance your journey.

Please find some recommendations below, such as at Fertility Matters and Sherbourne Health. If you have others to share, we'd be delighted to hear your suggestions.

Fertility Matters Canada LGBTQ2A+ Support Group

Sherbourne Health

Sherbourne Health is a dynamic provider of integrated health services, community programs and capacity-building initiatives that enable people and diverse communities to achieve wellness.

Sherbourne is an urban health agency in downtown Toronto that provides holistic primary care and chronic disease management, mental health services, health promotion and education, and outreach and social supports.

Sherbourne’s doors are open to everyone, with a focus on the 2SLGBTQ community, the homeless and under-housed people, and newcomers to Canada whose complex needs are often not met by traditional health care. Sherbourne combines high quality clinical care with responsive, culturally-appropriate community development programs that provide access to people in the surrounding communities who need it most.

Website

Black Fertility Agency

Black Fertility Agency is dedicated to empowering the Black community with crucial fertility knowledge and resources. They believe in the transformative power of education, accessibility, and community engagement to overcome barriers and celebrate the journey to parenthood. They aim to be the leading resource and advocate for equitable access to fertility and reproductive health services, empowering service providers to deliver informed, personalized care to individuals and couples.

One-on-One Coaching
Injection Assistance
New Parent Support
Donor and Surrogacy Support

Fertility Coaching

Engaging with a fertility coach is an emerging trend among those navigating infertility, offering additional layers of physical, mental, and emotional guidance. While there's no standardized qualification for a fertility coach, starting your search with those holding coaching certificates may be beneficial. It's important to note that Markham Fertility Centre neither endorses any particular coach nor claims coaching as an essential component. That said, we're aware of several fertility coaches and are happy to share their information with you.

Day 1

Emily Getz is the founder of Day 1, designed primarily to support those struggling to bring home a baby, but it also is a resource for loved ones who are supporting those who find themselves on this path - a demographic which is rarely spoken to and an important and essential part of our community. Day 1 offers a mindset program, one-on-one coaching, and fertility workshops. Emily also hosts a fertility podcast.

Website

Laura - Your Fertility Coach

Fertility Yogi

Meena Phull is a certified yoga instructor, Ayurvedic practitioner, and former Respiratory Therapist who specializes in supporting individuals and couples through their fertility journeys. After successfully navigating her own complex path to conception, Meena founded Fertility Yogi, a coaching practice that uses ancient wisdom to support modern fertility treatments. She offers fertility-focused yoga, meditation, breathwork, and Ayurvedic lifestyle guidance designed to reduce stress and support fertility holistically. Meena’s unique background in respiratory therapy and holistic wellness facilitates a grounded, integrative approach for individuals at every stage of their fertility journey.
Book a free introductory call to discuss how Fertility Yogi can support your fertility journey and community expectations that can shape fertility and mental health experiences. Our approach aims to create a safe, inclusive space where clients feel seen, respected, and understood within their cultural context.

Website Podcast

Non-Profit Fertility Organizations

Non profit organizations play an important role in Canada and Ontario when it comes to fertility. They are mostly patient-driven and focus on areas related to patient advocacy, financial support, and education. They can also be a great resource for networking and connecting with others that are also in your shoes.

Fertile Future

Fertile Future is a Canadian national non-profit organization that provides fertility preservation information and support services to cancer patients and oncology professionals. Each year, an estimated 10,000 young Canadians face a cancer diagnosis. Approximately 8,000 of them will win this battle. Without knowing the importance of fertility preservation prior to their treatment, many are left infertile with few options. Fertile Future aspires to change this reality for cancer patients. Their mission is to inform, educate and support cancer patients who are facing fertility-risking medical treatment, and oncology professionals who are providing this care.

Website

Fertility Friends Foundation