How Coaching helps Healthcare Workers in Overcoming Burnout and Building Resilience
Counseling available via telehealth in PSYPACT states | Coaching available in U.S. and Internationally
Gestational Carrier Psychological Evaluation & PAI Testing
At Ebb & Flow Counseling + Coaching, we understand that becoming a gestational carrier (GC) is a life-changing and generous decision. To ensure a positive surrogacy experience for all involved, we offer Psychological Evaluations and Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) Testing tailored to gestational carriers. These evaluations provide essential insights into your emotional stability and psychological readiness, ensuring a healthy and smooth journey ahead.
Begin Your Surrogacy Journey with Emotional Readiness and Confidence
Deciding to become a gestational carrier is a remarkable commitment. At Ebb & Flow Counseling, we are here to ensure that you feel emotionally prepared, supported, and informed every step of the way. Our Psychological Evaluations & PAI Testing services offer a comprehensive assessment to help you navigate this unique journey with confidence.
What is a Gestational Carrier Psychological Evaluation & PAI Test?
A Psychological Evaluation is a thorough assessment of your emotional and mental well-being to ensure you are fully prepared to be a gestational carrier. This evaluation identifies any psychological challenges and assesses your understanding of the surrogacy process, emotional stability, and readiness for postpartum separation.
​
The Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) Test offers deep insights into your personality traits, emotional resilience, and mental health. Together, these assessments allow us to evaluate your suitability for the journey ahead and support you in managing the emotional demands of surrogacy.
Our Comprehensive Evaluation Process for Gestational Carriers
What Happens During an GC Evaluation & PAI Test
At Ebb & Flow Counseling, we take a holistic and compassionate approach to evaluating potential gestational carriers, ensuring that every aspect of your mental health is taken into account.
1
2
3
Psychosocial Interview
We start with a psychosocial interview to explore your mental health history, motivation for becoming a gestational carrier, and any potential risk factors. This in-depth conversation helps us gain a full understanding of your emotional and psychological background.
​
Psychological Testing (PAI)​
Using the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI), we assess your personality traits, emotional stability, and resilience. This standardized test provides valuable insights into how you may navigate the surrogacy process and manage emotional challenges.
​
Risk Assessment
Our experienced psychologists conduct a risk assessment to evaluate factors such as family history, past experiences, and your support system. This ensures any potential risks are identified and addressed, promoting a successful and emotionally healthy surrogacy journey.
​
Recommendation Report
After completing the evaluation, we provide a detailed recommendation report that highlights your mental health status and any relevant recommendations. This report ensures that all parties—yourself, the intended parents, and the clinic—are well-informed and prepared to move forward with confidence.
4
Why Psychological Evaluations Matter for Gestational Carriers
1
2
3
Ensuring Emotional Readiness
Becoming a gestational carrier requires a deep level of emotional preparedness. Our evaluations help ensure that this path aligns with your values, emotional stability, and mental well-being, helping you feel confident in your decision.
Identifying Potential Challenges
Through our comprehensive assessments, we identify any potential psychological contraindications. This ensures that you are well-prepared to face the emotional demands of surrogacy and navigate challenges such as attachment and separation.
Supporting Your Journey
Our evaluations empower you with the insights and mental tools needed to navigate this unique journey with confidence and peace of mind. While our role is in screening, we aim to equip you with a clear understanding of your emotional readiness and the support systems you will need.
Fees for Gestational Carrier Psychological Evaluation & PAI Testing
At Ebb & Flow Counseling + Coaching, we believe in transparency and fairness when it comes to fees. Our Gestational Carrier Evaluations are self-pay only and not eligible for out of network insurance benefits as a mental health diagnosis will not be provided or treated.
You will also need to attend a group session with your intended parents led by one of our licensed psychologists. The psychologist will follow ASRM guidelines and lead the discussion to ensure all parties are in agreement on important topics and comfortable moving forward.
Fees include the clinical interview, test administration, scoring/interpretation, and report writing time, as well as sending the documentation to your referring provider. GC partner can come to group session if applicable.
Please note: You are responsible for all fees at the time of service via Venmo, Credit Card, or FSA/HSA card.
Meet Our Reproductive Psychology Team
Jennifer Collins, PsyD, MSCP
Founder & Licensed Psychologist
Dr. Collins is a licensed clinical psychologist and the CEO and Founder of Ebb & Flow Counseling + Coaching. With over 12 years of experience at the doctoral level and 13 years working as a clinical psychologist within a health system, she has developed a deep understanding of reproductive psychology.
​
Dr. Collins specializes in conducting psychological evaluations and PAI testing for women interested in becoming gestational carriers. Her expertise ensures that all candidates are thoroughly assessed, mentally and emotionally prepared, and fully informed about the significant responsibility they are taking on. These evaluations are designed to safeguard both the gestational carrier and the intended parents throughout the surrogacy process.
​
Known for her warm and compassionate approach, Dr. Collins balances support with challenge, using therapeutic humor to create a comfortable environment for her clients. With PSYPACT authority, she offers telepsychology services across 39 U.S. states, making it easy for gestational carriers nationwide to access her specialized psychological evaluations and testing.
Rachel Brookland, PsyD
Licensed Psychologist
Dr. Brookland is a licensed clinical psychologist at Ebb & Flow Counseling + Coaching with PSYPACT credentials. She graduated from Council Rock High School, Muhlenberg College (BS), and The Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (MS, Psy.D.).
​
With a wealth of experience in women’s emotional wellness, infertility, and reproductive psychology, Dr. Brookland is skilled in conducting psychological evaluations and PAI testing for gestational carriers. Her thorough assessments ensure that potential gestational carriers are not only mentally and emotionally prepared but also fully equipped to handle the unique challenges and responsibilities involved in surrogacy.
​
Dr. Brookland’s compassionate and patient-centered approach fosters an open, trusting environment for her clients, ensuring they feel supported throughout the evaluation process. With PSYPACT authority, she provides telepsychology services to gestational carriers across 39 U.S. states, ensuring broad accessibility to her expertise in surrogacy evaluations and PAI testing.
A Note from Ebb & Flow
Embarking on the path to becoming a gestational carrier is an incredible and life-changing decision. At Ebb & Flow Counseling, we are here to support you through our comprehensive psychological evaluations, ensuring you are emotionally prepared for this meaningful journey.
​
Contact us today to learn more about our GC Psychological Evaluation & PAI Testing services.
- Dr. Jennifer Collins, Owner & Licensed Psychologist