Book Description

"This book is for practicing psychologists in the field of fertility counseling and those considering entering this relatively new and evolving field. The goal is for these professionals to have a resource to help them resolve ethical dilemmas they encounter in their work. Using this book as a knowledge base will assist psychologists who are working with individuals and couples using the various assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) and those needing to fulfill, according to American Society of Reproductive Medicine guidelines, the psychological component of their assessment prior to being admitted into ART protocols. Our goal in this book is to provide guidance to mental health professionals and help them to avoid inadvertently crossing ethical boundaries. This book is meant to be thought provoking. We have undertaken to frame the issues and set forth the factors that should be considered when confronting a novel ethical problem fraught with conflicting social and personal values. We provide a framework within which mental health professionals can attempt to balance the full range of perspectives and work toward a resolution of complex, ever-changing questions. The information contained in this book is concentrated on the relevant psychological, moral, ethical, and legal aspects of reproductive medicine as well as the various roles psychologists may play in fertility counseling"--Introduction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved).