Sophrology is a gentle therapy for managing stress and controlling anxiety and tension.

It can be a great help in eliminating the major stress for a couple of discovering their infertility, as well as the stress resulting from the often nerve-wracking IVF process.

Sophrology can also help to overcome disappointment that occurs during this process, particularly when attempts end in failure.

As stress itself is a major cause of failure in IVF treatment, relaxation therapy is an additional asset on the road to motherhood. Feeling good with yourself optimises your chances of success.

Sophrology can also help to remove blockages, which can be the cause of unexplained fertility, by reconciling body and spirit.

Sophrology helps you to gain or regain self-confidence, which is very important for eliminating the feelings of guilt that can be generated by the discovery of infertility, but also for facing the obstacle course that is medically assisted reproduction treatments with serenity.

Sophrology is also a tool for ‘letting go’.

It helps to manage fears related to IVF treatment, which is not always ‘humanely’ explained by the medical profession.

A number of IVF centres have enlisted the help of a sophrologist.

Sophrology is just as suitable for women as for men, individually or as a couple.

Visualisation techniques help to imagine each stage of the IVF treatment in a positive light: insemination, IVF, egg donation, embryo transfers, etc. Visualising these situations in advance in a positive way allows the patient to experience them with peace of mind.

Sophrology is a therapy based on working with both the body and the mind to achieve balance, a better quality of life, relaxation and physical and mental harmony.

The origins of sophrology lie in psychology, yoga, meditation and hypnosis, among others.

To achieve results, sophrology uses breathing, relaxation and visualisation exercises that you should practise regularly on your own or with your sophrologist.

These exercises will lead to a modified state of consciousness, enabling you to deal positively with life's events, whether present, future or past.

Sessions generally last an hour, during which the sophrologist will teach you the techniques that will enable you to strengthen your mind and deeply relax your body.

Sophrology treatment does not replace conventional medical treatment for infertility. It provides additional help.