The Center for Family Building

The emotional dimension of surrogacy is just as significant as the medical and legal ones. Intended parents, surrogates, and donor-conceived families all benefit from having access to experienced mental health professionals who genuinely understand the unique dynamics of assisted reproduction.

The Center for Family Building was founded in 2015 and is led by Director Lisa Schuman, LCSW. The Center has become a respected name in fertility counseling, and Simple Surrogacy is proud to welcome them into our professional network.

What The Center for Family Building Offers Intended Parents and Surrogates

Located in New York City, the Center serves clients in the tri-state area in person while also working with national and international clients through virtual sessions.

Surrogates and intended parents who prefer the convenience of virtual meetings are fully accommodated. The flexibility of their service model makes high-quality mental health support accessible wherever you are in the world.

The Center’s therapists bring substantial experience working alongside fertility clinics and surrogacy agencies across the United States. Their areas of expertise include the psychological complexities of donor conception, stress management throughout the surrogacy process, and the nuanced dynamics of open donor relationships.

Therapy at The Center for Family Building

The Center’s therapists guide intended parents and surrogates through some of the more sensitive emotional aspects of the surrogacy journey. Their work includes:

• Facilitating bonding between intended parents and gestational carriers
• Providing parenting information and preparation resources
• Helping couples work through conflicts that may arise during the surrogacy process

These are not surface-level conversations. The Center’s team brings depth of understanding to each interaction, shaped by years of work within real fertility and surrogacy settings.

Services Provided by The Center for Family Building

The range of services offered by the Center is broad and carefully tailored to the needs of families formed through assisted reproduction. Services include:

• Media and learning tools, such as videos and e-books, for intended parents
• Consultations for individuals and couples at any stage of the journey
• Anonymous and known donor screening
• Education on building a healthy, mutually beneficial relationship with a surrogate
• Guidance on raising children conceived through donor conception or surrogacy
• Ongoing counseling for gestational surrogate mothers
• Individual, couples, and group counseling sessions
• Screening for compassionate surrogacy arrangements
• Educational workshops and webinars on fertility-related topics

Director Lisa Schuman, LCSW

The Center’s Director, Lisa Schuman, LCSW, brings over two decades of experience in psychotherapy and clinic-based fertility work. Her research has earned recognition at both the American Society of Reproductive Medicine and the Pacific Coast Reproductive Society.

She is also active in LGBTQ family-building advocacy. She regularly speaks at professional organizations and collaborates with community groups focused on reproductive care.

Ms. Schuman and her team are deeply committed to accessibility and collaboration. They make themselves available to referring organizations and complete all reports in accordance with ASRM guidelines. She is also a published contributor to fertility and parenting publications, including a notable article for Parents.com titled “10 Things Donor-Conceived Children Want Their Parents to Know.”

Her combination of clinical expertise and genuine community involvement makes her one of the most respected figures in fertility-focused mental health today.

A Trusted Partner in Your Path to Parenthood

Having the right mental health professionals alongside you during the surrogacy journey makes a measurable difference in how the experience unfolds. Intended parents who work with qualified counselors are better prepared and better connected to their surrogates.

Simple Surrogacy values partnerships with professionals who understand this space deeply, and The Center for Family Building reflects that standard.

Visit their website to learn more about their services and team.

When you are ready to take the next step in your surrogacy journey, contact us. We are here to connect you with the right people.

FAQs

Does The Center for Family Building work with international clients?

Yes. The Center offers online consultations, making its services accessible to clients outside the tri-state area, including international intended parents and surrogates. Virtual sessions are available for anyone who cannot attend in person at the New York City office.

What makes The Center for Family Building different from general therapy providers?

The Center focuses specifically on fertility counseling and assisted reproduction. Its therapists have direct experience working within fertility clinics and surrogacy agencies. This background gives them a deeper understanding of donor conception and surrogacy-related emotional dynamics compared to general therapy practices.

How does Simple Surrogacy connect clients with The Center for Family Building?

The Center is part of our broader professional network. We refer clients to their services when mental health counseling, donor screening, or educational resources would be beneficial during the surrogacy journey. Contact our team directly for more information on making that connection.