It is known that stress can result in a diminished quality of life and hinder the body’s ability to function normally and efficiently. Women who have difficulty conceiving suffer as much anxiety and depression as women with heart disease and cancer. Worry and anxiety can hinder fertility – alleviating stress can help increase the chances of conceiving. We’re here to help with the mental health struggles that so frequently exist with conception and infertility.
Dr. Michele Martens is a Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist/ Nurse Practitioner in private practice in Nashville, Tennessee where she specializes in fertility counseling, 3rd party reproductive counseling, family building options counseling, reproductive trauma, and grief and loss counseling.
Her practice centers around assisting individuals and couples through the stress of treatment, family building options counseling, counseling for individuals and couples interested in third party family-building alternatives and implications counseling for donors and recipients. She also assists in the transition to an adoption plan or child-free living. She provides consultation where she evaluates potential egg donors and gestational carriers/ intended parents for clinics and agencies in Tennessee and around the country. She is an active member of the Mental Health Professional Group of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. She received her Master of Science Degree in Nursing from Vanderbilt University and her Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. She is board certified in Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. In addition to her private practice, Michele is a full-time faculty member at the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing where she has the opportunity to educate future advanced practice nurses in the classroom and clinical setting. Her research interests are focused on embryo donation and the implications involved in decision making.
Our Team
Michele’s interest in fertility work arose from her own personal journey. It is her heartfelt desire to teach others the tools she has learned on her own journey and to assist in the reduction of depression, anxiety and stress. She is ready to help you!
Matt has been a psychiatric Nurse Practitioner since 2008. He received a Master of Arts in Counseling from Trevecca Nazarene University in 2006, a Master of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University in 2008, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2017.
Rex Sparks is a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with more than twenty years of involvement in the mental health field. As a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner management utilizing current standards of care and evidence-based practice.
He completed a Master of Science in Nursing at the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing and is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. He holds an additional certification with the ANCC as a Family Nurse Practitioner. He has over an 18 years of Emergency Room experience which has strengthened his understanding of the need for empathy and respect of all individuals, regardless of their mental dysregulation.
He also holds a Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology from Tennessee Technological University. He has over seven years of experience working in the therapy and crisis field. I work hard with each client offering my expertise in both areas (medical and psychiatric) to optimize each patient’s potential for healing and peace.
Rex is a caring, compassionate, lover of life. He cherishes time with his family and loves sports, traveling, serving the less privileged, and exploring unique adventures.