The Integrative Fertility and Reproductive Medicine Mentorship Program

Laura Erlich · October 18, 2021

This course closed on 12/31/2023.

This cohort is closed

Click here for more information on our next mentorship program and apply for our next cohort

Anyone who chooses to specialize in reproductive medicine as an EAM practitioner knows that you rarely go it alone. In fact, the vast majority of patients in our care are also under the care of western doctors, and many employ multiple modalities in their pursuit of a viable pregnancy. The end result of this is a deep need for EAM practitioners to have fluency in both western and other adjunctive care, and to be able to fluidly transpose their diagnoses between allopathic and holistic modalities. Furthermore, understanding how to integrate nutrition, supplementation, and mind/body support into a patient’s protocol allows for the EAM practitioner to wear all of the non-allopathic hats. This provides a continuity of care that offers better outcomes and deeper patient relationships.

Through this mentorship, participants will gain confidence and deep insight into both eastern and western approaches to the treatment of infertility, with an emphasis on integrating holistic and allopathic modalities. Through a combination of live webinars, Q&A sessions, office hours, and private tutoring (one session is included in the program), practitioners will come away with a deeper understanding of all aspects of reproductive medicine and will be well prepared to sit for the ABORM exam, if desired.

In addition to the modules, participants will have access to Laura via weekly office hours, roundtable discussions with some luminaries from our field, bonus Q & A sessions, and 1:1 support and tutoring at a member-only discounted rate. ABORM Exam study groups will be created as desired, and group tutoring sessions for the exam will be available.

This module will provide a comprehensive look at the role of the IRM specialist and will cover an east/west overview of the menstrual cycle, the archetype as it pertains to fertility, the role of the autonomic nervous system, and the impact of the stress response on fertility. This module will conclude with a discussion of methods for supporting the ANS and an introduction to the Eight Extraordinary Vessels as a tool for supporting mental health.

This course will the theory and practice of using the Eight Extraordinary Vessels in the treatment of the reproductive system. A full review of each channel’s trajectory and therapeutics, along with treatment strategies and protocols will be presented.

This course will cover nutrition best practices, supplements for fertility through a CM lens, toxins and environmental endocrine disruptors, and methods for reducing allostatic load.

This course offers a deep dive and integrative approach to treatment for common reproductive disorders, including

– recurrent pregnancy loss,
– endometriosis,
– PCOS,
– immunologic infertility,
– and thrombophilia.

This course will examine diagnoses that often/always require allopathic intervention, including structural abnormalities, age-related infertility, POI as well as hypothalamic and pituitary issues. Detailed instruction will include what a western infertility workup consists of, how key tests are performed, and how to interpret them. Strategies and guidelines for how and when to provide acupuncture, herbs, and supplements will be discussed.

This course will cover the role of the CM practitioner when it comes to making recommendations and referrals to ART practitioners. Instruction will cover in more detail the integration of care with IUI and IVF, including donor cycles and cryopreservation, as well as a comprehensive overview of ART techniques, medications, and procedures. We will end this course with a discussion of third-party parenthood, including egg, sperm, and embryo donation, surrogacy, and adoption.

Module 1 – Feb 6, 2022 available On-Demand (6 CEU/PDA/CPD)
Module 2 – Mar 6, 2022 available On-Demand (6 CEU/PDA/CPD)
Module 3 – Apr 10, 2022 available On-Demand (6 CEU/PDA/CPD)
Module 4 – May 1, 2022 available On-Demand (6 CEU/PDA/CPD)
Module 5 – June 5, 2022 available On-Demand (6 CEU/PDA/CPD)
Module 6 – July 10, 2022 at 9am – 4:30pm PT (6 CEU/PDA/CPD)

Office Hours

2/9/22: 9-10 AM PT: Module 1 Q&A
2/16/22: 12-1 PM PT: Open forum
2/23/22: 5:30-6:30 PM PT: Expert Conversations – An RE’s approach to low follicle count and other difficult cases, (and how we can help!) with Dr. Kelly Baek, MD, REI

3/9/22: 9-10 AM PT: Module 2 Q&A
3/16/22: 12-1 PM PT: Open Forum
3/23/22: 9 -10 Sabine Wilms: Conversations with experts in our field

4/13/22: 9-10 AM PT: Module 3 Q&A
4/20/22: 12-1 PM PT: Open forum
4/27/22: 9-10 AM PT Expert Conversations – With Iris Orbuch, Endometriosis excision specialist and author of “Beating Endo”

5/4/22: 9-10 AM PT: Q & A module 4
5/11/22: 12-1 PM PT: Open forum
5/18/22: 9-10 AM PT: Expert Conversation: Talking Business and Growing your Practice with Laura Erlich and Lorne Brown

Bonus: 6/1/22 9-10 AM PT: Expert Conversation with Randine Lewis

6/8/22: 9-10 AM PST: Q & A Module 5
6/15/22: 12-1 PM PT: Open Forum
6/29/22: 8-9 AM PT: Expert Conversation: Reproductive Psychiatry with Dr. Erin Barzilay

7/13/22: 9-10 AM PST: Q & A Module 6
7/20/22: 12-1 PM PST: Open forum
7/27/22: 8:30 -10:00 AM: Expert Conversations: Laser and Fertility with Dr. Lorne Brown and Final office hours, closing thoughts.
7/31/22: 9-10 AM PST: Office Hours

The focus of the mentorship is deep experiential learning, peer connection, and alchemical transformation. Although maximizing the quantity of CEU/PDAs will not be a focus, we have made available a maximum of 36 CEU/PDA you can earn during the six-month program.

A maximum of 36 hours can be earned as live CEUs if you join during the actual Zoom live presentations.

The breakup of available CEUs/PDA’s is as follows.

Mentorship: six, six hours days (6X6=36) through the year which can be done as live webinars or watched on-demand (recordings) within 3 months of the live stream for CEU/PDA.

Acupuncture Regulatory bodies our CEU/PDA certificates will fulfill:

NCCAOM
California
Florida
Texas
CTCMABC
CTCMPAO
ABORM Exam and Renewal

Yes, the following payment options are available:

The early bird rate is $1895 USD if paid in full by Feb 4, 2022.

The regular rate is $3100 USD, however, you can save $1205 if you make a single payment by the early bird deadline (Feb 4, 2022).

Make 2 payments of $1650 USD each (total $3300). The subsequent payment cycles are every 90 days based on the date of your initial payment.

Note that the 90-day interval is for registrations now until February 1, 2022. and final payment is completed before the end of April 2022.

If the mentorship is not a good fit for you, you can cancel by Feb 10, 2022, and receive a refund of what you have paid, minus a $500 withdrawal fee and the cost of the first module.

No refund as of February 10, 2022.

You cannot transfer or sell your registration to this mentorship.

You will have continued access to recordings and handouts as long as we can support them with our technology (at least 2 years).

Please Note: Access to the forums and mentorship special material like expert talks and office hours will end 30 days after module 6 is complete.

There is no guarantee that we will, especially in a world that is subject to so much upheaval, but our hope would be that we will offer the mentorship again after this year. We suggest you don’t delay as we cannot tell you what a year from now will allow

You will:

Participants will gain confidence and deep insight into both eastern and western approaches to the treatment of infertility
With an emphasis on integrating holistic and allopathic modalities
Practitioners will come away with a deeper understanding of all aspects of reproductive medicine and will be well prepared to sit for the ABORM exam if desired
ABORM study groups will be created as desired, and group tutoring sessions for the exam may be arranged
Participate in live webinars, Q&A sessions, interactive expert interviews, office hours, and private tutoring (one session is included in the program)

The mentorship is built around six- 6-hour Live Webinars that begin on February 6, 2022, and end on July 10, 2022. Each course will be followed by 2-3 hours a week of self-study and assigned exercises designed to deepen your understanding of the material.

Between each 6-hour Live Webinar, there will be three (60-minute) online office hours to enable participants to ask questions, discuss the material, and review case studies. Participants may attend all 3 hours but are required to attend only one for each course as part of the mentorship.

Peer discussions through an online forum will be offered and encouraged. The instructor will not participate in the forum but will peruse the discussions for the purpose of creating clarity during office hours.

Participants will receive 6 CEU/PDA for each of the 6-hour courses in the same manner as they do for online courses by watching the material and completing the assessment tool. There are no CEU/PDA available for office hours and forum discussions. Healthy Seminars manages the Live/distance CEU/PDA certificates for the six- 6-hour courses (36 PDA/CEU).

At the end of the mentorship, having fulfilled the requirements will receive a certificate of completion from Laura Erlich.

Click here for more information on our next mentorship program and apply for our next cohort

Module 6: Assisted reproductive techniques (ART) and the Art of TCM integration.

Resources

Video 1 – CEU’s Instructions (11:50mins)

Video 2 -Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART) and the Art of TCM Integration- Intro and Q&A (37:28mins)

Video 3 – Transvaginal Ultrasound-Hysterosalpingogram and Q&A (31:39mins)

Video 4 – Male Factor Infertility & ART and Q&A (37:43mins)

Video 5 -Acupuncture Considerations for Improving Sperm and Q&A (24:40mins)

Video 6 -Liver/ Gallbladder Support and Q&A (10:43mins)

Video 7 – Transitioning to Stimulation Cycles (IUI, IVF) and Q&A (23:32mins)

Video 8 – IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) (27:43mins)

Video 9 – Human Embryonic Development and Q&A (27:36mins)

Video 10 – How Does Chinese Medicine Integrate with ART? and Q&A (26:26mins)

Video 11 – Oocyte Retrieval Recovery and Q&A (12:37mins)

Video 12 – Preparing for IVF : Nourishing Essence and Q&A (17:40mins)

Video 13- Transfer Timing and Q&A (41:02mins)

Worksheet

Quiz

Quiz 2

Course Evaluation

Module 5: Integrative Fertility: Approaching Fertility Challenges with a Holistic Mindset

Resources

Video 1 – PDA Instructions (10:38mins)

Video 2 – Fibroids (38:48mins)

Video 3 – Fibroids Q&A (8:45mins)

Video 4 – Hydrosalpynx and Cysts (27:05mins)

Video 5 – Hydrosalpynx and Cysts Q&A (14:01mins)

Video 6 – Intrauterine Adhesions (12:23mins)

Video 7 – Intrauterine Adhesions Q&A (5:49mins)

Video 8 – Endometritis and Congenital Uterine Malformations (49:37mins)

Video 9 – Congenital Uterine Malformations Q&A (3:54mins)

Video 10 – Male Fertility (28:57mins)

Video 11 – Male Fertility Q&A (4:51mins)

Video 12 – The Fertility Workup (19:56mins)

Video 13 – The Fertility Workup Q&A (3:15mins)

Video 14 – Premature Ovarian Failure (34:53mins)

Video 15 – Premature Ovarian Failure Q&A (5:09mins)

Video 16 – Treatment Strategies (57:15mins)

Video 17 – Treatment Strategies Q&A (7:07mins)

Video 18 – Case Study (30:38mins)

Worksheet

Quiz

Course Evaluation

New Lesson

Module 4: Integrative Approach for Common Fertility and Reproductive Disorders

Handouts and Resources

Video 1

Video 1 – Q&A

Video 2

Video 3

Video 3 – Q&A

Video 4

Video 4 – Q&A

Video 5

Video 5 – Q&A

Video 6

Video 6 – Q&A

Video 7

Video 7 – Q&A

Video 8

Video 8 – Q&A

Worksheet

Quiz

Course Evaluation

Module 3: Fertility Boosting Diet, Supplements, and Lifestyle through a TCM lens – April, 10 @ 9 am PT

Resources and Handouts

Video – Housekeeping

Video 1

Video 1 – Q&A

Video 2

Video 2 – Q&A

Video 3

Video 3 – Q&A

Video 4

Video 4 – Q&A

Worksheet

Quiz

Course Evaluation

Module 2: The Eight Extraordinary Vessels and their application in Fertility and Reproductive Medicine

Handouts and Resources

Video 1

Video 2

Video 3

Video 4

Worksheet

Quiz

Course Evaluation

Module 1: Integrative Reproductive Medicine: The menstrual cycle, nervous system and mental health and their impact on fertility

Handouts and Resources

Video 1

Video 2

Video 3

Video 4

Worksheet

Quiz

Course Evaluation

Course Instructor

Laura Erlich Author

Laura Erlich, LAc, FABORM, has practiced Integrative Chinese Medicine since 2007, in West Los Angeles and Silver Lake, CA. She also maintains a labor support practice, having accompanied hundreds of women through the journey of pregnancy and childbirth as a doula. Laura is the founder and owner of Mother Nurture Wellness, a clinic dedicated to supporting women through the journey of fertility, the childbearing cycle and all areas of health and wellness. Her areas of specialty include women’s health, fertility enhancement (with or without ART), conscious conception, prenatal and post-partum care, gynecological disorders and menopause. In addition to practicing, Laura is passionate about teaching and writing. She offers continuing education courses on infertility, obstetrics and women’s health to acupuncturists all over the world through Healthy Seminars, in person at her clinic, and to the doctoral cohort at Yo San University. Laura offers a 6 month Fertility Mentorship through Healthy Seminars as well. Through this mentorship, participants can gain confidence and deep insight into both eastern and western approaches to the treatment of infertility, with an emphasis on integrating holistic and allopathic modalities. She is the co-author of Feed Your Fertility, a guide to optimizing fertility through nutrition and Chinese Medicine, with Emily Bartlett, LAc, (Fair Winds Press 2015). You can also find her writings through multiple guest blog posts and her website, www.mothernurturela.com/(link is external) While out of the office, Laura enjoys a great life with her wonderful husband and son. Laura presented at the 2015 Integrative Fertility Symposium in Vancouver, Canada.