Donor Conception & Third-Party Reproduction

Offering donor conception counselling to individuals and couples in Vancouver and across British Columbia

When using donor sperm or donor eggs to grow your family, it can be difficult to know where to start. There’s no manual for donor conception, and many individuals and couples report feeling overwhelmed when entering this process.

You may find yourself asking:

How will I know when I’m ready to move forward with donor eggs or donor sperm?
How do I choose a donor?
Do I need to tell my child they are donor conceived?
Do I need to tell my family I’m using a donor?
What will it mean for my child to be donor conceived?
Will my child have half-siblings?
What language do I use to refer to the donor or half-siblings?
Will my baby still feel like mine if we’re not genetically related?

The questions can feel endless.

Support Throughout the Donor Conception Journey

Most fertility clinics in North America require a one-time consultation with a therapist who specializes in third-party reproduction before moving forward with treatment.

I am an approved provider for two fertility clinics in Vancouver, BC, Olive Fertility Centre and Pacific Centre for Reproductive Medicine, and offer these consultations as part of that process.

During this session, we explore many of the questions above. However, because of the nuance and complexity of donor conception, many clients find that additional support is helpful as they continue along their journey.

If you’re also navigating the broader emotional impact of trying to conceive or fertility treatment, you can learn more about the areas I support here.

Ongoing Support at Every Stage

I work with individuals and couples at various stages of the donor conception process, including:

Deciding whether to move forward with donor conception
Choosing a donor
Navigating differences between partners
Processing the loss of a genetic connection
Preparing for conversations with your child
Parenting and revisiting these questions as your child grows

I support a wide range of families, including same-sex couples, single parents by choice, and those navigating male or female factor infertility requiring donor gametes.

Some clients also find it helpful to connect with others who are going through fertility treatment. You can learn more about the monthly virtual fertility support group here.

Holding Both Loss and Meaning

Many clients using a donor to conceive find themselves grieving the loss of their genetics or the anticipatory grief for their child not knowing the person who shares the other half of the genetics. These feelings can feel overwhelming and isolating.

Donor conception can stir up an array of emotions such as grief, fear, and frustrations with the lack of support when there is a medical necessity to use a donor. At the same time, it can also be a deeply intentional and meaningful way to build your family full of hope, meaning, and gratitude.

Part of this work is making space for both.

A Thoughtful, Evolving Approach

I stay up to date on research and best practices in donor conception, and integrate the lived experiences of donor-conceived adults and recipient parents into my work. This is a field that continues to evolve, and having support from a therapist who specializes in donor conception can help you feel more grounded, informed, and confident as you move forward.

I am deeply passionate about the field of donor conception and the unique considerations it brings for both parents and the children born through this process. As a clinical counsellor with a personal connection to donor conception, I feel honoured to walk alongside clients as they navigate this meaningful and often complex form of family building.

Reaching Out for Support
If you’re navigating donor conception and finding yourself with more questions than answers, connecting with a counsellor who has specialized knowledge of donor conception can be a game-changer on this journey.
You can book a session at any stage — whether you’re just beginning to explore your options, preparing for treatment, parenting a donor-conceived child or navigating the emotional pieces along the way.

BOOK A DONOR CONCEPTION SESSION

Donor Conception & Third-Party Reproduction

Offering donor conception counselling to individuals and couples in Vancouver and across British Columbia

When using donor sperm or donor eggs to grow your family, it can be difficult to know where to start. There’s no manual for donor conception, and many individuals and couples report feeling overwhelmed when entering this process.

You may find yourself asking:

How will I know when I’m ready to move forward with donor eggs or donor sperm?

How do I choose a donor?

Do I need to tell my child they are donor conceived?

Do I need to tell my family I’m using a donor?

What will it mean for my child to be donor conceived?

Will my child have half-siblings?

What language do I use to refer to the donor or half-siblings?

Will my baby still feel like mine if we’re not genetically related?

The questions can feel endless.

Support Throughout the Donor Conception Journey

Most fertility clinics in North America require a one-time consultation with a therapist who specializes in third-party reproduction before moving forward with treatment.

I am an approved provider for two fertility clinics in Vancouver, BC, Olive Fertility Centre and Pacific Centre for Reproductive Medicine, and offer these consultations as part of that process.

During this session, we explore many of the questions above. However, because of the nuance and complexity of donor conception, many clients find that additional support is helpful as they continue along their journey.

If you’re also navigating the broader emotional impact of trying to conceive or fertility treatment, you can learn more about the areas I support here.

Ongoing Support at Every Stage

I work with individuals and couples at various stages of the donor conception process, including:

Deciding whether to move forward with donor conception

Choosing a donor

Navigating differences between partners

Processing the loss of a genetic connection

Preparing for conversations with your child

Parenting and revisiting these questions as your child grows

I support a wide range of families, including same-sex couples, single parents by choice, and those navigating male or female factor infertility requiring donor gametes.

Some clients also find it helpful to connect with others who are going through fertility treatment. You can learn more about the monthly virtual fertility support group here.

Holding Both Loss and Meaning

Many clients using a donor to conceive find themselves grieving the loss of their genetics or the anticipatory grief for their child not knowing the person who shares the other half of the genetics. These feelings can feel overwhelming and isolating.

Donor conception can stir up an array of emotions such as grief, fear, and frustrations with the lack of support when there is a medical necessity to use a donor. At the same time, it can also be a deeply intentional and meaningful way to build your family full of hope, meaning, and gratitude.

Part of this work is making space for both.

A Thoughtful, Evolving Approach

Reaching Out for Support

If you’re navigating donor conception and finding yourself with more questions than answers, connecting with a counsellor who has specialized knowledge of donor conception can be a game-changer on this journey.

You can book a session at any stage — whether you’re just beginning to explore your options, preparing for treatment, parenting a donor-conceived child or navigating the emotional pieces along the way.