Lori Metz, lcsw

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Lori Metz, lcsw

My specialties are fertility & relationships Utilizing a positive psychology approach, that includes

08/07/2025

Reminder: You don’t need to earn rest. 🧘♀️
With everything going on in the world—the headlines, the noise, the pressure to keep pushing forward—it’s no wonder so many of us feel emotionally exhausted.

In the midst of doing, planning, and showing up for others, don’t forget to show up for yourself.

📆 August often feels like the last sprint of summer, but it’s also a perfect time to pause.

✨ It’s okay to take a break. In fact, it’s encouraged. Give yourself permission to do nothing.

Rest isn’t a reward—it’s a necessity. Whether you’re navigating fertility treatments, parenting solo, dealing with loss, or just trying to stay grounded amidst the chaos, your mental and emotional well-being matters.

💛 You are allowed to exhale. In fact, it’s essential.

08/05/2025

I’m honored to be featured on a special bonus episode of the ASRM Today podcast alongside the incredible Dr. Serena Chen and Joe Cody.

In this episode, we dive into the Inclusive Family History Project, a topic close to my heart. So often, traditional medical forms and conversations don’t reflect the full diversity of today’s families—especially those formed through donor conception, surrogacy, or adoption. That can lead to gaps in care, missed connections, and feelings of exclusion.

We explore how to reimagine family health history in ways that are inclusive and responsive to the realities of modern family building. This conversation is a step toward creating systems that truly see and support every family.

A huge thank you to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine for shining a light on this important work.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here:
https://www.asrm.org/news-and-events/podcasts/asrm-today/asrm-today-genetics-bonus-episode---inclusive-family-history-project/

07/27/2025

July 27th is Parents' Day. Whether you’re just beginning your family-building journey or already knee-deep in the parenting trenches, support makes a difference.

✨ Find a local group of solo parents by choice, people who understand your path and can offer solidarity, resources, and laughter when you need them most.
✨ Explore options for practical help, such as babysitting swaps with friends, part-time help at home, or simply asking a loved one to lend a hand.
✨ Connect with a therapist to process the emotional load; your well-being matters.
✨ Seek out peer groups, especially those who used donor conception to build their families—you’ll be amazed at how powerful can be.

Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of wisdom. It takes a village, even when you’re parenting solo.

07/25/2025

Happy World Embryologist Day! 💛🔬

Behind every successful fertility journey is a team of dedicated professionals, and embryologists are among the quiet heroes of it all.

They work behind the scenes with immense precision, care, and heart, cultivating the earliest stages of life and offering hope to individuals and families navigating infertility, donor conception, and solo parenting.

As a therapist who works closely with individuals building families in various ways, I’ve seen firsthand the impact that embryologists have. Their work isn’t just clinical; it’s deeply personal.

Today, we extend our gratitude to the embryologists who shape futures one embryo at a time.

Additionally, if you'd like to hear the unique insights of embryologists, please visit this link, where I share several podcast episodes I've recorded with individuals such as Alease Daniel Barnes of Gattaca Genomics and Carol Lynn Curchoe, PhD, of Poma Fertility: https://www.lorimetz.net/search?q=embr

07/21/2025

Talking to Your Child’s Pediatrician About Donor Conception
Bringing up donor conception with your child’s doctor might feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Pediatricians are your partners in your child’s health and development, and sharing this information helps them provide better, more personalized care.

Why it matters:
Family history is a critical part of healthcare, but donor-conceived children may not share genetic ties with one or both parents.
Your pediatrician can help normalize the conversation with your child and support you in age-appropriate disclosure.
Keeping doctors informed means they can flag relevant screenings or updates if your donor shares medical info later on.

What you can say:
“I want to make sure this is noted in my child’s records: they were conceived using donor [sperm/egg/embryo]. I’m happy to answer any questions, and I’d like to make sure this is handled with sensitivity and confidentiality.”

A resource you can provide, if you are comfortable suggesting, is the Pediatrician Communication Toolkit, written as a practical, supportive toolkit to help your child’s pediatrician.
Please note that sometimes we’re comfortable recommending a resource to our doctor, and understandably, at other times, we’re not.

You don’t need to have all the answers—start the conversation. And remember, you’re advocating for your child’s health and identity. That’s something to be proud of.

07/15/2025

🚨 Misleading Language Alert 🚨

Terms like “Restorative Reproductive Medicine” and “Ethical IVF” might sound harmless, but they’re often used to push ideology over evidence, restricting access to essential fertility care.

Learn why these phrases threaten patient-centered care and disproportionately impact LGBTQ+ individuals, single parents, and those with complex medical needs.

Get the facts from American Society for Reproductive Medicine: Just the Facts – Restorative Reproductive Medicine and “Ethical IVF” Are Misleading Terms That Threaten Access

https://www.asrm.org/advocacy-and-policy/fact-sheets-and-one-pagers/just-the-facts-restorative-reproductive-medicine-and-ethical-ivf-are-misleading-terms-that-threaten-access

07/08/2025

You are not alone.

Living with fibroids can be physically and emotionally draining, especially if you’re trying to conceive or navigating family-building options.

💬 If fibroids are impacting your quality of life or fertility journey, support is available. From medical treatments to emotional therapy, there are ways forward.

🤝 As a therapist, I work with individuals navigating these deeply personal challenges. You deserve information, options, and compassion... every step of the way.

07/04/2025

Happy Independence Day! 🎆

Today, we celebrate freedom, but for many, this day also serves as a moment to reflect on what independence means in their own lives.

💬 Whether you're navigating the path to parenthood on your own terms, redefining family, or finding the courage to speak your truth, your journey matters.

Emotional independence, self-advocacy, and the freedom to choose what’s right for you are powerful forms of strength.

Wishing you a safe, meaningful, and spark-filled 4th of July. 💛

06/30/2025

What is Elective Single-Embryo Transfer (eSET)?

Elective single-embryo transfer (eSET) is a procedure where a person undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) chooses to transfer a single embryo, even when multiple embryos are available.

The primary goal is to reduce the chance of a multiple pregnancy, such as twins or triplets, and achieve one healthy live birth.

eSET is typically recommended for people who:

✔️ Are younger than 35 years
✔️ Are undergoing their first assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycle
✔️ Have had a successful pregnancy in a previous ART cycle
✔️ Have a relatively large number of high-quality embryos
✔️ Have embryos available for cryopreservation (freezing for use in a later cycle)

eSET can be a valuable option for reducing health risks while maintaining a strong chance of pregnancy success.

https://www.reproductivefacts.org/news-and-publications/fact-sheets-and-infographics/why-would-i-choose-to-have-elective-single-embryo-transfer-eset

https://www.reproductivefacts.org/news-and-publications/fact-sheets-and-infographics/why-would-i-choose-to-have-elective-single-embryo-transfer-eset

06/24/2025

When you're focused on creating embryos, it can be easy to overlook one important part of the process: deciding what to do with them in the future.

Whether you're planning as a solo parent or with a partner, thinking through your embryo disposition options now can reduce stress later and help ensure your decisions align with your values.

This post carefully and clearly discusses several possibilities, including storage, donation, research, compassionate transfer, and discarding.

No path is “right or wrong” for everyone. The best choice is the one that feels right for you.

06/17/2025

Embryos create the hope for your future family.

It’s easy to become laser-focused on the goal of creating embryos during fertility treatment. But whether you’re partnered or on a solo journey, it’s just as important to pause and consider what should happen to those embryos in the future.

Which embryo disposition option aligns with your personal values and long-term goals?
What if circumstances change?

Have you considered the options, had this conversation with yourself, your partner, and in writing?

An Embryo Disposition Agreement is more than a legal document. It is a moment to reflect, align your values, reduce future conflict, and make thoughtful choices before emotions make decisions more difficult.

Situations change, but please know that taking the time to talk about this now is a meaningful act of care for yourself, your future family, and any future children.

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New York, NY

Telephone

+19176559776

Website

https://lorimetz.net/

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Working together, to put the pieces together.

I have adopted a positive psychology, approach that includes mindfulness and cognitive behavioral health in partnering with my patients in an optimistic goal-oriented manner.

Often times a person initially calls when they’re feeling sad, alone, depressed, confused, and need to talk. It’s an opportunity to explore, feeling a bit out of control, stress, self-image, self-confidence, professional choices, counterproductive habits, and pain. Making that initial phone call (to me or any professional) is the first step towards change. It’s an opportunity to achieve, and I am excited to help along that path.

I work with individuals, couples, and families, specializing in relationships and fertility. I assist people through life’s transitions personally, and professionally. Any of life’s challenges that can potentially lead to depression, anxiety, low self-image, decreased self-confidence, loneliness, or behaviors they would like to change.

I find that a positive approach, in conjunction with mindfulness, cognitive behavioral health, behavior modification, self-exploration, and reality-based decision making works well for most people. I also believe in the power of pausing. It is typically powerful when those I work with are able to take a moment, to pause and gain perspective of what they are experiencing.

Magnus Wellness