San Diego, CA | Online across California
Karen Hall, PhD, Fertility Psychologist
Dr. Karen Hall is a licensed clinical psychologist and fertility psychologist in San Diego, CA who provides fertility counseling for individuals and couples navigating infertility, IVF, recurrent pregnancy loss, donor conception, surrogacy, and other family-building challenges and difficult decision making. She offers in-person therapy in San Diego and online fertility counseling throughout California.
Affirming Care for Individuals, Couples and Families of All Kinds
Credentials and Experience
Clinical Psychologist, License #16803
Private practice in the Carmel Valley and Del Mar area of San Diego, with an office in the beautiful Hacienda Building. Sessions are available in person and online across California.
Over 20 years in practice
More than two decades supporting individuals and couples through fertility and family building challenges.
Education
Bachelor's degree from UCLA and a PhD in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology in San Diego. She participated in an APA-accredited postdoctoral internship with the U.S. Navy.
Specialized fertility training
Advanced training through the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, and advanced mind-body training through Harvard's Mind/Body Medical Institute.
Leadership
Past Chair of the Educational Resources Committee for the ASRM Mental Health Professional Group.
My Approach
My work is grounded in evidence-based methods, applied with a compassionate and approachable style built over more than 20 years of practice.
I use mind-body tools, positive psychology, cognitive behavioral strategies, mindfulness, EFT, and the Gottman Method for healthy relationships to relieve distressing symptoms, reconnect clients with their strengths, and support forward movement with greater clarity and hope.
Areas of Expertise
I specialize in the emotional impact of infertility and family building for all individuals and couples, including:
Difficult and unexplained infertility
Repeated fertility treatment cycles
Miscarriage and pregnancy loss
Third-party reproduction, including donor conception and surrogacy
Pregnancy, postpartum, and the transition to parenthood
Fertility Counseling Services
Infertility counseling
IVF counseling
Pregnancy loss counseling
Miscarriage support
Donor conception counseling
Egg donor counseling
Sperm donor counseling
Embryo donation counseling
Surrogacy counseling
Third-party reproduction counseling
Fertility treatment stress
Family-building counseling
The Heart of My Work
After six years on active duty as a Navy psychologist, I left to begin my own family and unexpectedly faced infertility. That experience shaped the direction of my work and gave me firsthand insight into the complexities of navigating fertility struggles.
My Navy work built expertise in psychological evaluations, trauma, anxiety disorders, and supporting women in male-dominated fields. I later continued with the VA and Department of Defense while establishing my private practice, now specialized in infertility, pregnancy loss, and third-party reproduction.
Teaching and Professional Contribution
Education has always been part of my work. I regularly speak with physicians, nurses, residents, and fertility clinic teams about the psychological impact of infertility and how to support patients well throughout treatment.
I have presented nationally on infertility, pregnancy loss, donor and surrogate care, online reproductive medicine, women's workplace stress, and alternative family building. I also consulted with the Scripps Center for Executive Health, helping clients use mind-body strategies to build resilience and well-being.
Practice Details
Location.
In-person sessions at the Hacienda Building in the Carmel Valley and Del Mar area of San Diego, CA.
Online. Virtual sessions available across California.
Consultation.
I invite you to schedule a complimentary 10-minute phone consultation to learn more about your needs and see if working together feels like the right fit.
Session length and fees.
Standard sessions are 50 minutes.
Longer 75-minute sessions for couples can be arranged.
Response time.
I’m usually with clients during the day, however you can expect to receive a response from me within one business day.
Frequently Asked Questions
“Hi Dr. Hall! I meant to message you sooner after the birth of our baby boy, but was just thinking about you and some of the key points we talked about in therapy. I’ve taken much of that into my first months of parenthood and returned to it time and time again… just wanted you to know our time together has been invaluable to ushering me into parenthood after infertility.” Fertility Client 2023