The Affirming Minds Podcast

Episode #54: Infertility, IVF, and Reproductive Grief: Supporting Clients Through Uncertainty with Hilary Hovis, LCSW


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Episode Summary: Infertility affects an estimated 1 in 6 people worldwide, yet remains one of the least explored topics in clinical education. In this episode of The Affirming Minds Podcast, Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz, LCSW, sits down with Hilary Hovis, LCSW to unpack the emotional and psychological dimensions of infertility and IVF treatment—and how therapists can offer informed, compassionate care to clients navigating these deeply personal experiences.

Hilary brings both professional expertise and lived experience to the conversation. She specializes in helping women and non-binary clients explore the intersections of body image, disordered eating, and reproductive grief, and her insights illuminate what it means to hold space for grief, hope, and identity shifts when the body becomes the site of uncertainty.

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Topics Discussed:

  • Common emotional and relational themes in infertility and IVF journeys
  • Quiet grief, control, and shame as clinical targets rather than character flaws
  • Containment planning, widening the window of tolerance, and distinguishing pain from danger
  • The role of systemic barriers—cost, access, policy, and privilege—in shaping reproductive experiences
  • Moving beyond toxic positivity toward authentic, trauma-informed compassion
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    About Our Guest: Hilary Hovis, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, and founder of HLH Therapy, a private practice serving adults across New York. Hilary helps clients unpack the deeper roots of body image distress, disordered eating patterns, and reproductive grief. Her approach is trauma-informed, relational, and narrative-based—offering humor, honesty, and validation to those navigating complex relationships with their bodies and identities.

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    Connect with Hilary: 

    • Website: www.hlhtherapy.com
    • TikTok: @hlhtherapy
    • ---

      Conflict of Interest Disclosure: The host, Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz, LCSW, is the Founder of Affirm Mental Health, an accredited CE provider. She receives financial compensation from Affirm Mental Health for the development and delivery of continuing education content. There are no other conflicts of interest to disclose.

      Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for clinical training or treatment. If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please reach out to a licensed professional.

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      The Affirming Minds PodcastBy Shaina Siber, LCSW

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