Education and Support

Expertise in Family Building through Sperm Donation

The following individuals are experts in the area of family-building through donor conception. Because donor conception is a relatively new way of creating a family, people often find it difficult to get a general understanding of the issues involved. The individuals below can provide a one-time information consultation that will provide you with a better understanding of what it can be like to have a child with the assistance of donor insemination, including how this changes as your child grows up. We encourage you to use these resources so that you are better informed as you consider whether to use donor conception, and as your family grows and matures.

Jean Benward, LCSW A member of TSBC’s Identity-Release® Task Force, a counselor and a researcher, Jean Benward holds considerable expertise in issues around infertility and family-building through donor conception. San Ramon/ East Bay (925) 820-9023; officejeanbenward@sbcglobal.net
Madeline Licker Feingold, PhD has extensive experience in the psychological aspects of infertility and providing education about building families with the assistance of donors. She specializes in working with parents, donors, and families about all issues related to alternative family building. Berkeley and Walnut Creek (510) 540-8715; www.madelinefeingoldphd.com
Laura Goldberger, MFT sees individuals and couples and also runs support groups for women who are inseminating. Laura has worked with lesbian and bisexual women, parents, couples, children, and families for over 10 years. She is a lesbian mom herself. San Francisco and Berkeley (510) 665-7755; laura@lauragoldberger.com; www.lauragoldberger.com
Cheryl Deaner, MS, MFT offers consultations for LGBT people building families and facilitates “considering parenthood” groups. Offices in Oakland and San Francisco. Founder and former director of Our Family Coalition. Oakland & San Francisco; 415. 282. 2200 ConsideringParenthood.com Email
Marsha Hiller, MFT works with children, adolescents, and adults who have come together as family through donor insemination and adoption. Marsha has extensive experience with issues related to identity development, parenting, transracial families, and, in adoption, searching for and developing relationships with birth parents and siblings. Berkeley (510) 644-2724
Robin Keating, MS Individual, couples, child/adolescent, and group psychotherapy. Robin interest in women considering single parenthood. Corte Madera (415) 497-0162
Virginia Keeler-Wolf, MFT works with individuals and families providing support for education about family building through adoption and donor conception. Berkeley (510) 339-9363
Sara Lesser, LCSW is an experienced therapist working with couples, individuals and groups helping people to lead fulfilling lives. She specializes in LGBTQ issues, parenting and alternative family building. East Bay (510) 459-7551; saralesser@sbcglobal.net
Marcia Perlstein, MFCC is the former director of the Alternative Family Institute, Marcia has extensive experience with family building issues. Berkeley and San Francisco (360) 681-4273
Lori Rifkin, Ph.D is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. She specializes in psychotherapy, consultation, testing children and adults, life transition therapy. San Rafael and San Francisco (415) 485-1976
Annie Schuessler, MFT works with couples and individuals who want to gain confidence, take active steps, and feel more satisfied with their lives. She facilitates a therapy group for women, and also specializes in EMDR, LGBTQ issues and parenting. San Francisco 415-317-0816; annie@annieschuessler.com; www.annieschuessler.com
Mary Tennes, PhD. works with individuals, specifically adolescents and adults, on issues related to families created through donor conception. Oakland (510) 653-1313