Are you navigating the emotional rollercoaster of infertility or surrogacy—or supporting someone who is? This episode will make you feel seen.

Whitney is joined by fertility counselor and licensed clinical social worker Kelli Johnson, who has helped countless intended parents work through the mental and emotional load of building a family. They dive deep into the often unspoken truths about this journey—like how grief and hope can live side by side—and why acknowledging both is so important.

You’ll walk away with:

Insight into the emotional highs and lows of surrogacy

Tips for building stronger communication with your surrogate

The power of therapy and peer support through every stage

Whether you’re early in the process or already matched, this conversation will leave you feeling more grounded, supported, and empowered to take the next step.

https://www.willowandwildflowercounseling.com/home

Takeaways

• Kelli Johnson has nearly 10 years of experience in social work, focusing on fertility and perinatal mental health.
• Intended parents often experience anxiety, grief, and loss during their family-building journey.
• Hope and grief can coexist, and it’s important to acknowledge both.
• Surrogates and intended parents should communicate openly to build trust and understanding.
• Celebrating milestones, even in unconventional ways, can help reclaim normalcy in the surrogacy journey.
• Support groups provide a safe space for intended parents to share their experiences and feelings.
• Emotional well-being is crucial during the surrogacy process, and therapy can help manage feelings of grief and loss.
• Building connections between surrogates and intended parents can ease anxiety and foster a supportive environment.
• It’s common for intended parents to feel isolated; support groups can reduce this feeling.
• Processing emotions during the surrogacy journey can prevent issues from arising after the baby is born.