What Surrogates Can Expect from the Psychological Screening

If you’re considering becoming a surrogate, you might have heard some intimidating things about the psych screening process. But the truth is, it’s really not that bad. As our friend and colleague Dr. Linda Kondilis said in a recent TikTok video (@oramawellness), psychologists like her are just asking questions to which you already have all of the answers – questions about you!

What to expect

Surrogates can expect a comprehensive psychological evaluation that is designed to assess their mental and emotional suitability for surrogacy. Surrogacy is a demanding journey, and therefore this evaluation gives an idea about how a surrogate can navigate some challenges they may face. The evaluation will be conducted by a licensed mental health professional, such as a psychologist or social worker, who specializes in surrogacy evaluations.

The psych screening process for surrogates typically consists of two parts: a clinical interview (or psychosocial assessment) and a personality test, usually one called the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI). During the interview, the psychologist will talk to the surrogate about a wide range of topics, such as her motivations for becoming a surrogate, her past pregnancies, her support system, and her views on selective reduction and termination. The psychologist will also speak with the surrogate’s partner to discuss their view on surrogacy and their role as a vital part of the support system.

If you want to dive deeper to learn more about what you can expect from this process, you can check out the American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s Recommendations for Practices Using Gestational Carriers.  (Pages 5-7 provide more detail on what the psych screening should cover.)

After the interview and testing are completed, the provider will write up a comprehensive report that is shared with the agency and fertility clinic, but not with the surrogate or intended parents. This report informs the agency and clinic whether the prospective surrogate would be a great fit or not.

Finally, once a surrogate is matched with intended parents, she’ll participate in a group meeting with any spouse or partner she has and the intended parents. This is another check to make sure everyone is truly on the same page before finalizing contracts.

The purpose of the screening

The purpose of this evaluation is to ensure that the surrogate is emotionally and mentally prepared for the demands of surrogacy, and that she is capable of handling the psychological challenges that may arise during the surrogacy process. The evaluation will also assess the surrogate’s understanding of the surrogacy process, her motivation for becoming a surrogate, and her ability to establish and maintain appropriate boundaries with the intended parents.

The psychological evaluation is an important part of the surrogacy process, as it helps to ensure the best possible outcome for all parties involved. It is important for surrogates to approach the evaluation with honesty and openness, as this will help the mental health professional to accurately assess their suitability for surrogacy.

In short, while the psych screening for surrogates may seem intimidating, it’s really just a way to get to know the surrogate better and ensure that she’s a good fit for the process. So if you’re considering becoming a surrogate, don’t let the screening process scare you off. It’s just one step on the path to helping someone else build their family!