The Infertility Support and Education Program provides support and education to women and men on in/fertility and related reproductive health issues, such as (but not limited to) polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometriosis, gynecologic cancers and miscarriage.

Services Available
The program offers individual, group and couples counselling sessions, led by Jan Silverman, fertility program specialist.

Referral
Self-referral via email.

Jan Silverman Profile
Jan Silverman is a fertility program specialist and health educator at Women’s College Hospital (WCH). Jan established the Infertility Support and Education Program in 1992. Jan is a member of the Provincial Expert Panel on Infertility and Adoption, the Perinatal Bereavement Committee of WCH, the Ethics Committee of the CreATe Fertility Centre and is the former chair of the Ontario Women’s Health Network. Jan educates and counsels clients on issues pertaining to in/fertility and other related reproductive issues, works with nursing and medical students and lectures widely to increase awareness about infertility.

Jan is a recipient of the CARE Award (2008) from the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society.

Support Groups
Jan Silverman leads support groups on a variety topics related to in/fertility and reproductive issues. The objective of the support groups is to provide a safe and caring environment for people to share their opinions, concerns and fears regarding their experiences with reproductive issues. Confidentiality is a main priority within the support groups. Disclosure of identities and experiences shared must be kept within the group.

The groups meet on Thursday evenings (see below for support group description, meeting time and location). Members will receive a reminder email close to the support group date. Participation is not mandatory but is encouraged to benefit both the individual and the group. New members can join support groups simply by dropping in.

Support Group Information

Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transsexual/Queer (LGBTQ) Support Group
First Thursday of the month from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Sherbourne Health Centre
333 Sherbourne Street
Toronto, ON M5A 2S5

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual and Queer group is for individuals who are currently parents or would like to be parents. The purpose of the support group is for members to educate, inform and support one another. Topics for discussion include difficulties raising children, medical diagnoses and treatments, miscarriages, and challenges to pregnancy. Couples and individuals are invited to participate.

Endometriosis Support Group
Second Thursday of the month from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
790 Bay Street
(southwest corner of College and Bay) (view map)
8th Floor
Toronto, ON M5G 1N8

The Endometriosis Support Group focuses on pain, management of the disease and lifestyle of individuals experiencing endometriosis. This support group is for women only because intimate matters regarding the female body are often discussed.

Infertility Support Group
Third Thursday of the month from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
790 Bay Street
(southwest corner of College and Bay) (view map)
8th floor
Toronto, ON M5G 1N8

The Infertility Support Group provides participants with an opportunity to freely discuss a variety of issues, such as treatments, medication and its side effects, third party reproduction and society’s view of infertile individuals. Members are encouraged to share their personal experiences. Women and men are welcome to attend this support group.

“On Our Own” – Single Parenting Group
Fourth Thursday of the month from 6 p.m.- 8 p.m.
790 Bay Street
(southwest corner of College and Bay) (view map)
8th floor
Toronto, ON M5G 1N8

“On Our Own” is a support group for women and men who choose to be single parents. They include people who are either thinking about having a child, in the process of having a child, either through adoption or the use of donor gamete(s), or who have already had their child(ren). This is not a group for individuals that have become single parents due to uncontrollable circumstances, such as divorce or loss. Topics for discussion include the adoption process, infertility treatments, the life of a child with one parent, general joys and challenges to parenthood, individuals not wanting to prolong their wait for parenthood and individuals preferring to be single when they have children. Children may accompany parents to the support group.

Jan is most accessible by email:
jan.silverman@wchospital.ca

Accessibility
This program is wheelchair-accessible.