During this event, Inesa Stetsenko, a Psychologist, lecturer, and researcher at Ovogene and IFG, discusses how patients experience loss, hope, and identity transformation throughout the MRT journey.
In her presentation, Inesa Stetsenko explained that mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT) is not only a medical or technological procedure, but also a deeply emotional and psychological experience. While MRT allows women with serious mitochondrial disorders to have a genetically related child, it also confronts patients and couples with questions about identity, motherhood, loss, and acceptance.
As a psychologist working in reproductive medicine, Inesa emphasised that behind every medical protocol and laboratory technique there is a living person with emotions, fears, hope, and courage. Her professional role combines scientific knowledge with empathy and psychological support throughout the reproductive journey.
Mitochondrial replacement therapy is a relatively new reproductive technology and is currently permitted only in a limited number of countries, such as the United Kingdom and Australia. Each case must be carefully assessed by a multidisciplinary medical team. Alongside this medical evaluation, psychological support plays a crucial role.
Inesa explained that patients considering MRT often think far beyond biology. Women may ask themselves, “Will my child really be mine?”, “What will other people think?”, or “How will I feel when I hold my baby?” These questions are not scientific; they are emotional and deeply human.
From a psychological perspective, mitochondrial donation touches on themes of identity, motherhood, emotional safety, and personal meaning. Addressing these questions openly helps patients move forward with greater emotional stability.
A central psychological aspect of MRT is coping with loss. Inesa described how many women experience a sense of loss related to their genetic connection, confidence in their body, or even their sense of self. When medicine offers a new opportunity for motherhood, psychology helps patients emotionally accept this new path.
This emotional journey often involves moving from loss to acceptance and from fear to connection. Inesa highlighted that grief should be recognised rather than ignored. If these emotions are suppressed, they may later appear as guilt, emotional distance, or difficulty bonding with the baby.
Motherhood, she explained, is not defined solely by DNA. It is shaped by care, daily presence, emotional connection, and commitment.
One particularly sensitive issue discussed was the media label “three-parent baby”. While this phrase may attract attention, it can create confusion, stigma, and emotional pain for patients.
Inesa explained that language shapes identity. Sensational or inaccurate terms can affect how women perceive themselves and their families. Psychologists, therefore, help patients and couples reclaim their own narrative and describe their experience in a way that preserves dignity rather than shame.
Helping patients develop their own language around MRT supports emotional resilience and self-confidence.
Couples undergoing MRT often describe a strong need for control combined with fear of the unknown. Inesa referred to this as the psychological tension between trust and uncertainty. Human beings naturally struggle with unpredictability, which can increase anxiety.
Rather than seeking perfect answers, patients often need clear information, transparency, and emotional validation. Inesa explained that learning to accept uncertainty does not mean giving up control, but rather developing inner stability and emotional readiness.
Mitochondrial donation is rarely an individual experience; it is usually shared within a couple. Inesa described how women may feel guilt, shame, or pressure to make the “right” decision, while men may feel helpless, excluded, or unsure how to offer support.
Couples sometimes stop talking about their fears because conversations become emotionally overwhelming. Silence can become a defence mechanism, but it can also create distance. Joint counselling sessions help couples express their fears, understand each other’s emotional responses, and feel less alone.
Many women describe the process as emotionally exhausting. They may feel responsible not only for their own emotions, but also for their partner’s hopes, family expectations, and societal pressure.
Inesa stressed that these feelings are a natural response to prolonged stress. Psychological support helps women recognise this, reduce self-criticism, and restore emotional energy through grounding techniques, breathing exercises, and self-compassion.
The goal is not to remain strong at all times, but to allow rest without guilt and recognise recovery as part of the process.
One of the most common emotional states Inesa observes is ambivalence: the coexistence of strong desire and fear. Patients may say:
I want a child so much, but I’m afraid I won’t be a real mother.
From a psychological perspective, ambivalence is not weakness or doubt. It is a healthy and expected response to a life-changing decision. Inesa’s role is to help create space for both emotions without forcing patients to choose one over the other. Emotional integration begins when both desire and fear are acknowledged.
Inesa highlighted that men’s emotional experiences are often overlooked. Many men see themselves as observers who must remain strong and supportive, even when they feel fear, helplessness, or uncertainty.
This apparent emotional distance is often a coping strategy. Men may suppress their feelings to protect their partner, but this can lead to emotional exhaustion. Psychological support gives men permission to express their fears and needs, strengthening the couple’s relationship.
Inesa described several therapeutic techniques used to support patients emotionally.
One technique is writing a letter to the future child. This reflective exercise helps patients focus on connection rather than procedure, allowing them to express hopes, fears, and intentions. For some women, this becomes a turning point that brings emotional peace.
Couple and family sessions create a safe space for sharing emotions and improving emotional synchronisation between partners. Body-oriented techniques, such as grounding and mindful breathing, help reconnect the body and mind, especially during periods of anxiety.
Acceptance meditation and narrative rewriting are also used to reduce guilt and self-criticism. Patients learn to reframe their story from blame to responsibility and strength, allowing emotional healing to begin.
A common question raised by families is whether, when, and how to tell a child about their conception through MRT. Inesa explained that there is no single correct answer. Psychology suggests that truth, when shared with love and simplicity, builds trust.
Parents are encouraged to choose age-appropriate language and focus on love, intention, and care rather than purely biological explanations. What children ultimately need to know is that they were wanted, loved, and born from brave and thoughtful decisions.
Inesa concluded by emphasising that the role of psychologists and healthcare professionals is not to “fix” emotions, but to hold space for grief, confusion, hope, and transformation. Tone of voice, presence, and empathy from all professionals involved play a significant role in patients’ emotional safety.
True healing, she explained, occurs when medical and psychological care work together. The future of medicine should not be measured only by the number of children born, but by how whole and supported patients feel throughout their journey.
Mitochondrial donation, she concluded, is not only about science. It is also a test of empathy, compassion, and human connection.
This situation is very stressful for both individuals and couples. Every patient comes with a unique personal story, and there is no universal psychological approach that works for everyone. When I first meet patients, my goal is to understand their personality, their emotional background, and what kind of support they need.
Mitochondrial donation is something new and unfamiliar, and patients often experience a mix of strong emotions at the same time. These emotions may be difficult to express, even to close relatives or doctors. My role is to find the right psychological “key” for each person and support them so they can move forward toward parenthood in the healthiest emotional way possible.
Identity is a very important concept in psychology. It is not defined only by genetics, but by family environment, emotional safety, and relationships. When we analyse identity, we often look at the family in which a person grows up and how secure they feel within it.
In mitochondrial donation, this can be a difficult topic. Some parents may choose to be open with their child in the future; others may not, but this does not reduce their love or emotional connection. Identity is not about DNA alone. It is about creating a safe emotional space where a child can grow, feel secure, and develop a sense of belonging.
From a medical perspective, mitochondrial donation can be an appropriate option in certain cases. From a psychological perspective, it is essential that medicine, reproductive technology, and psychology work together.
While doctors decide on the most suitable medical protocol, psychological support helps patients cope with the emotional aspects of the process. I focus on psychological preparation, but I work closely with the medical team, who determine which procedure is best for each patient or couple.
Criticism is a normal reaction, especially when people do not fully understand the procedure. Everyone has the right to their own opinion, but infertility is a deeply personal experience.
What is most important is that this path is meaningful and right for the patient. People who truly want to support you will stay with you regardless of their initial opinions. From a psychological perspective, it is important to understand why external opinions affect you and what kind of support you actually need. This is not a black-and-white situation, and it requires personal reflection.
Psychological support is usually important before, during, and after the reproductive procedure. For some patients, only a few sessions are enough, sometimes up to five sessions.
In other cases, when emotional stress remains high, support may continue for longer. In my experience, the maximum duration is usually around two months. This always depends on the individual situation. There is no fixed rule, and support can be adjusted according to the patient’s needs.
Yes. Joint sessions with both partners are particularly important. They allow us to understand how the couple communicates, how they experience stress, and how they support each other.
When couples openly discuss their situation, it helps identify emotional difficulties and decide how to proceed step by step. Family or joint sessions are often essential and very helpful in these cases.
As a psychologist, I work with patients during and after fertility treatment, as well as with donors and surrogate mothers. I do not work directly with children born through mitochondrial donation, so I cannot comment on long-term effects in children.
My focus is on supporting parents emotionally during the treatment process and helping them manage feelings such as fear or guilt at that stage.
Genetic connection is very important for many patients. I have met women who struggle with the idea of losing this connection, especially when donor material is involved.
As a psychologist, my role is not to provide a single answer, but to explore why the genetic connection is so central for that person. This often relates to personal family history and emotional experiences while growing up.
Motherhood is a process. Genetics are one part of it, but not the only one. Emotional connection, care, and daily presence play a fundamental role. These questions are complex and usually require individual, in-depth discussion.
Psychological care begins with understanding each patient’s personal story. Small things matter: tone of voice, empathy, and emotional presence. Patients often come to clinics in vulnerable states and need to feel understood and supported.
Effective care requires teamwork. Psychologists, doctors, embryologists, nurses, and coordinators must communicate and work together. When professionals share information and support each other, they can better support patients.
Psychological support is not only important for patients, but also for medical teams. Working together as one team creates the best environment for patients to feel safe and cared for throughout their journey.
