Meet the owner of New England Fertility Counseling, PLLC: Katie Aguayo Zweifel
Katie launched New England Fertility Counseling, PLLC in 2023 to provide specialized counseling to individuals and couples facing grief, loss, and trauma while trying to grow their families. Katie is passionate about supporting women, individuals of all genders, and couples facing infertility, family building challenges, and pregnancy and baby loss. In addition, Katie is passionate about supporting individuals and couples adjust to their lives after infertility and loss, sometimes as parents and sometimes childless not by choice. Outside of private practice, Katie has nearly four years of experience evaluating gestational carrier candidates for a reputable surrogacy agency. Lastly, Katie’s passion for the work she does is influenced by her own reproductive story, which has involved endometriosis, infertility, diminished ovarian reserve, and in vitro fertilization.
Education: Katie holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Washington University in St. Louis, as well as a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Boston College.
Training in Infertility, Assisted Reproduction, and Family Building: Katie completed Sharon Covington and Linda Applegarth’s 30-hour postgraduate course in fertility counseling from September 2022 to June 2023. In addition, Katie completed three online training modules, totaling 18.5 hours, through the American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s Mental Health Professional Group (“Basic Infertility”, “Ethics, Treatment Interventions, Fertility Preservation, and Research”, and “Counseling for Contemporary Family Building”).
Training in Pregnancy Loss and Infant Loss: In June 2023, Katie completed a 2-day “Perinatal Loss: Clinical and Supportive Care” training through Postpartum Support International. In December 2025, Katie completed a 2-hour training through Empty Arms Bereavement Support called "Accompanying Parents When a Baby Dies". In October 2026, Katie will be completing a 2-day advanced training in pregnancy loss through The Shoshana Center (“Comprehensive Pregnancy Loss Care for Psychotherapists”).
Training in Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders: In August 2022, Katie completed a 2-day “Perinatal Mood Disorders: Components of Care” training and a 1-day “Advanced Perinatal Mental Health Psychotherapy” training through Postpartum Support International. In July 2023, Katie completed a 1-day “Foundations in Paternal Perinatal Mental Health” training.
Perinatal Mental Health Certification: Katie is a certified Perinatal Mental Health professional (PMH-C) through Postpartum Support International. Katie earned her PMH-C in September 2022.
Training in Couples Counseling: In early 2024, Katie completed Level 1 and Level 2 training in the Gottman Method. Katie also completed advanced training in treating affairs and trauma using the Gottman Method.
Professional Memberships: Katie is a professional member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) Mental Health Professional Group, the New England Fertility Society, the Society for Ethics in Egg Donation and Surrogacy (SEEDS), and AllPaths Family Building.
Online sessions in Massachusetts and across northern New England (Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine)
New England Fertility Counseling, PLLC is a registered business in Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Katie Aguayo Zweifel is licensed to work with clients who are physically located in Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Massachusetts. License #LICSW123132
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Vermont. License #089.0134650
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in New Hampshire. License #3759
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Maine. License #LC22437
Professional Memberships
Values of New England Fertility Counseling, PLLC:
client voice
I understand that as someone facing infertility or as someone who has faced pregnancy loss (or baby loss), you are a survivor of reproductive trauma. In addition, many fertility patients and bereaved parents report feel hurt, not listened to, and disempowered by medical providers and other well-meaning people in their lives. I value my clients feeling heard and having a sense of autonomy and control in the therapy space. Together, we will prioritize your goals based on what you think is most important to work on first. I will encourage you to align your actions with your values and priorities.
the quality of the therapeutic relationship
I value building a trusting therapeutic relationship and holding space for you in a validating and nonjudgmental way that allows you to let your guard down, be yourself, and dig deep. I approach sessions with warmth, compassion, openness, and curiosity. I want you to feel understood and “seen”. You are the expert in your own life, and I am just here to support you through it. I will listen, empathize, and help you figure out how you want to move forward.
flexibility
We will go at your pace. I am understanding that it can sometimes take a little while to open up, especially for people who are new to therapy, have experienced a lot of turnover with past therapists, have had negative past life experiences, and/or have difficulty trusting people due to trauma.
acceptance and respect
I consider myself a culturally sensitive, LGBTQ-affirming, and neurodivergent-affirming practitioner. Regardless of disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, race or ethnicity, religion or faith, or neurotype, everyone is welcome at New England Fertility Counseling, PLLC and will be treated with the utmost respect.