Compassionate, holistic support

Counseling & wellness

We understand that your journey to parenthood is as much emotional as it is physical. That’s why we partner with premier counseling and wellness services to nurture your mind, body, and spirit along the way. From mental health support to personalized nutrition guidance and acupuncture, our integrative approach is designed to empower you with the tools and care you need to thrive throughout your fertility journey.

Fertility counseling

Fertility challenges can bring a mix of emotions, from hope and excitement to stress and uncertainty. We partner with experienced mental health counselors who specialize in reproductive care and are here to provide compassionate support for individuals and couples. We help you navigate the emotional aspects of treatment, build resilience, and maintain balance. Whether you’re seeking a safe space to process your feelings or guidance on strengthening your relationship during this time, our counseling services are tailored to meet your unique needs.

How fertility counseling can help

  • Emotional Support: Fertility challenges can bring a mix of emotions, including hope, anxiety, frustration, and grief. Counseling helps you process these feelings and develop coping strategies to manage the ups and downs.

  • Improved Communication: For couples, fertility counseling can strengthen communication and teamwork, ensuring that both partners feel heard, understood, and united during the process.

  • Decision-Making Assistance: Choosing the right path—whether it’s IVF, donor conception, surrogacy, or adoption—can feel overwhelming. Counselors provide guidance and perspective to help you make decisions that align with your values and goals.

  • Stress Reduction: Fertility treatments can be physically and emotionally taxing. Counseling can teach stress-reduction techniques and mindfulness practices to improve your overall well-being.

  • Managing Outcomes: Whether celebrating success or navigating setbacks, fertility counseling supports you in processing the outcomes of your journey with care and compassion.

SCCRM Wellness Partner

Ellen Winters Miller

Therapist MA, LMFT

Ellen, founder and director of Fertility Counseling Center, Inc., is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 30 years of clinical experience, including 25+ years specializing in assisted reproduction. Her personal journey with infertility inspires her compassionate and expert support for individuals and families navigating fertility challenges. Ellen works closely with gestational carriers, intended parents (including LGBTQ+ families), donors, fertility clinics, and legal professionals, offering personalized assessments, consultations, and ongoing care tailored to their unique needs.

Committed to professional excellence, Ellen stays at the forefront of fertility counseling through evidence-based research and involvement with organizations like the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). She has contributed to initiatives such as ASRM's Donor Recipient Family Task Force and helped establish support groups for Resolve of Orange County, CA. Ellen’s knowledge and dedication empower individuals and couples to navigate their fertility journeys with confidence and care.

Nutrition and exercise support

Optimal fertility begins with a healthy lifestyle. Our wellness team offers personalized nutrition and exercise guidance to help you prepare your body for conception and pregnancy. Our goal is to support your physical health in ways that align with your treatment plan, ensuring you feel strong and confident at every step of the process.

  • Your diet plays a vital role in reproductive health. Our fertility-focused nutrition experts provide personalized guidance to help you:

    • Balance hormones: Discover the right combination of foods to support healthy hormone levels and menstrual cycles.

    • Boost egg and sperm quality: Learn how specific nutrients, like antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, can support reproductive health.

    • Prepare for a healthy pregnancy: Build a foundation with nutrient-rich foods to support your baby’s development.

    We’ll help you create a realistic and enjoyable meal plan that fits your lifestyle, preferences, and fertility goals.

  • Exercise can positively impact fertility when done in a balanced way. Too little activity or over-exercising can disrupt hormonal health, so our team helps you find the right approach to:

    • Maintain a healthy weight for optimal reproductive function.

    • Reduce stress and promote relaxation through physical activity.

    • Improve blood flow to reproductive organs with safe and effective exercise routines.

  • When you work with our wellness team, we’ll start by learning about your current lifestyle, diet, and fitness habits. Then, we’ll create a customized plan designed to enhance your fertility journey while ensuring it’s easy to integrate into your daily routine.

    You’ll receive tailored advice on:

    • Building a fertility-friendly diet rich in essential nutrients.

    • Managing weight and hormonal health.

    • Incorporating safe and effective exercise routines.

    Our goal is to empower you with actionable advice that makes you feel healthier, stronger, and more confident as you move forward.

SCCRM Wellness Partner

Erin Macdonald

Registered Dietitian and Fertility Nutrition Expert

Erin Macdonald is a registered dietitian specializing in fertility nutrition, helping individuals optimize their natural fertility through tailored dietary and lifestyle strategies. With a deep understanding of how nutrients and foods influence reproductive health, Erin guides clients on the vitamins, minerals, and foods that can balance hormones, enhance fertility, and support a healthy pregnancy. Her integrative approach includes relaxation, exercise, and nutrition to nurture the body at every level, ensuring clients are prepared for conception and sustained wellness during pregnancy.

Erin brings extensive experience to her role, having worked in diverse settings such as inpatient rehab facilities, eating disorder clinics, and as a wellness nutritionist at Hoag Hospital. She co-founded U Rock Girl, a platform dedicated to empowering women through nutrition and wellness, and has co-authored three cookbooks, including No Excuses and 50 Healthy Ways to ROCK Breakfast! As a dietitian for Clean Eating Magazine, Erin develops recipes, creates content, and teaches online courses for the Clean Eating Academy. Her expertise has been sought by numerous health organizations and media outlets, solidifying her reputation as a leader in nutrition and wellness.

Acupuncture for fertility

Acupuncture has been shown to support fertility by improving blood flow, reducing stress, and balancing the body’s energy. We work with licensed acupuncturists to provide integrative treatments that complement your medical care. Many patients find acupuncture to be a relaxing and restorative experience that helps enhance their overall well-being during treatment.

    • Comfortable Setting: Acupuncture sessions take place in a calm, relaxing environment. You’ll lie on a comfortable table while the practitioner gently inserts thin, sterile needles at specific points on your body.

    • Minimal Discomfort: The needles are extremely fine, and most people feel little to no discomfort. You may experience a mild tingling or warmth at the insertion points.

    • Relaxation Time: Each session typically lasts 30–60 minutes, during which many patients find themselves deeply relaxed, sometimes even falling asleep.

    • Frequency of Sessions: The frequency of treatments depends on your specific needs and where you are in your fertility journey. For example:

      • If you’re preparing for IVF, your practitioner may recommend starting acupuncture a few weeks before your cycle and continuing throughout treatment.

      • If you’re trying to conceive naturally, regular sessions can help regulate your menstrual cycle and improve overall reproductive health.

    • Improved blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, creating a more supportive environment for conception.

    • Hormonal balance, which can help regulate ovulation and menstrual cycles.

    • Reduced stress and anxiety, promoting emotional well-being throughout your journey.

    • Increased response to fertility treatments, such as IVF or IUI.