Psychological Evaluations for Assisted Reproductive Intervention: Guidelines for Clinical Practice

Psychological factors present significant concerns when assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are needed, whether for the treatment of infertility or for nontraditional family building. Psychological evaluation of all parties involved is recommended when treatment involves gamete donation or the services of a gestational carrier. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) has offered guidelines for the psychological evaluation of involved individuals. These ASRM guidelines appear long and complex, but a careful reading suggests they are fairly similar to a routine in-depth psychological evaluation. This article reviews the process of doing an assisted reproductive psychological evaluation, the most critical psychosocial topics to explore, and assessment of the psychological capacity to successfully participate in an assisted reproductive procedure. Report preparation is also covered.