Sage Fertility is directed by Dr. Ciara Byrne and Dr. Laura McKee. They combine their expertise as professional mind-body medicine teacher, clinician, professor, and researchers with a passion for reproductive health. They are specifically interested in the cross-over of mind-body therapies in the treatment of infertility and established the RE-MAP Workshop to share their learnings and experiences.
Both Dr Byrne and Dr McKee also both bring to their program an understanding that comes from experiencing infertility, first-hand.
Dr CIARA BYRNEIn her role as Clinical Director of Sage Fertility, Dr. Byrne is responsible for
oversight and quality control of clinical services. She is passionate about ensuring that clinical services at Sage are of excellent quality and empirically based in research to improve pregnancy outcomes as well as psychological and physical well being.
Ciara completed her graduate studies at Columbia University and the University of Vermont, having studied as an undergraduate at University College Dublin. She has trained extensively in using Mindfulness based therapies, including the Mind/Body program for women experiencing infertility at the Domar Center, Boston IVF. She is also currently enrolled in the two-year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training program, through the Awareness Training Institute.
Ciara has conducted research and published papers on the impact of mindfulness practices on reducing anxiety, depression, and increasing overall wellbeing.
Like so many women, Ciara took the long and arduous road to making a family, including IVF – with her first successful pregnancy ending in a late-term loss. Following further IVF and much emotional hardship, Ciara and her husband are now parents to three children.
“When I ask myself would I trade that journey now for the easy path, the answer is probably not, as I was forced to learn many things. I learned vital wellness practices that enabled me to get back on the fertility train – and keep going. I also discovered the importance of connectivity – of making a leap of trust together with other women on a similar journey.”
– Dr Ciara Byrne
DR LAURA MCKEEIn her role as Research Director of Sage Fertility, Laura utilizes a critical research lens to examine every aspect of the workshop experience. She stays abreast of the ever evolving landscape of the scholarly literature around psychosocial and complementary medicine approaches to improving fertility and will oversee a pilot investigation of the efficacy of RE-MAP for improving pregnancy outcomes and overall well-being.
Laura McKee majored in English Literature at Duke University and then attended Teachers College, Columbia University, where she received her MA in Developmental Psychopathology. Soon after, she attended the University of Vermont where she earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, focusing on the prevention of depression in the family context. Over the last decade, Laura has worked clinically with children and families in a variety of contexts including trauma centers, hospitals, and community and private clinics, and has served on the faculties of Clark University and The University of Georgia. She is currently a member of the faculty in the Psychology Department at Georgia State University where she mentors students, teaches undergraduate and graduate courses, and conducts and publishes research on mindfulness, gratitude, and depression. She has published over 40 articles and book chapters, and her research has been funded by several private foundations including the John Templeton Foundation and Character Lab, Inc.
Laura’s road to fertility was a long one, which saw her exploring workshops, various groups focused on skills, support and education, as well as nutrition, yoga, acupuncture and endless research articles. While some were useful, many were not. It was this that prompted Laura to combine all her knowledge and experiences, with her expertise as a clinical psychologist, and create a unique approach… One that incorporates all of the ingredients that are scientifically proven to improve conception and well being. Laura is now mother to a baby boy.
“My journey to pregnancy comprised everything from IVF to acupuncture and shamanism, and included three different fertility clinics. Looking back I realise how much I discovered – about myself, and my partner. I began to live the practice of taking in each moment as it unfolded. Projecting into the future left me anxious and lost. But dedicating myself to each breath saved me. Finding the balance between a laser-focus determination to create a family and a gentle acceptance of our limitations, between striving and letting go – was key.”
– Dr Laura McKee
Dr. Mullin’s work focuses on helping people maximize the potential of their brain to grow. She uses cutting edge research about the neuroscience of habit change and learning so that transformations are happening at the level of brain processing and are long lasting. Her passion is helping clients identify the disempowering stories they are telling themselves, so that they can develop self-talk practices about growth and new possibilities. She also teaches clients to translate skills from workshop environments into life, ensuring these new ways of thinking and reacting have real world impact.
Celine obtained her B.A. (Hon) in Psychology at University College Dublin and her Ph.D. in Psychology at Trinity College Dublin. Dr. Mullin is founder and CEO of a successful training company, that ‘puts a gigantic spin on more traditional approaches to learning, which she believes often fall short of making real and lasting change happen….by using what we know about the brain and behaviour from psychology and neuroscience’. Dr. Mullins has published on the subject on the neuroscience of habit change, and her most recent book is entitled ‘Our Learning Brain: Engaging Your Brain for Learning & Habit Change’.
She also has a Certificate in Training and Development, Diploma in Statistics, Diploma in Personal and Executive Coaching, is a Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming.
Website: adaptastraining.com/team/dr-celine-mullins-ceo-founder
As an Olympian athlete and recipient of numerous medals, including at the European Championships, Roisin has developed and harnessed a powerful skill set that ignites motivation, galvanizes grit, and propels her toward the finish line. Drawing from her own successes, she has made it her life’s work to teach others potent strategies for taking small steps to reach big, complicated goals (like having a baby!). Her process emphasizes the importance of daily, weekly, and monthly goals as well as the alignment of goals with a larger sense of personal values and life meaning. Roisin’s expertise helps clients achieve their dreams by navigating the setbacks and detours that are a part of any journey..
Roisin grew up running the beaches and trails of co, Wicklow, Ireland. She left home for a chance to compete in track and cross-country at Providence College, where seh was a four- time All-American. In 2008 Ro represented Ireland in the 3k steeplechase at the Olympics. She was awarded the bronze medal in the 1500 meters at the 2009 European Athletics Indoor Championship and still holds the Irish record for the indoor mile. While she’s retired from running competitively, Ro remains invested in the sport as a certified and sport psychology consultant.
Website: www.believeiam.com
