ABOUT
Lisa Schuman, LCSW, is a leading expert in family building and has helped people around globe build the families of their dreams.
She has lectured extensively and has written numerous articles on a variety of family building subjects including LGBTQ, and single parent family building. Ms. Schuman also runs workshops and offers counseling for parents and children who have formed their families through sperm and egg donation or adoption.
Ms. Schuman has been working as a licensed therapist for more than two decades and is currently the Director of Mental Health Services for Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut and Gay Parents to Be. She is a consultant for schools and corporations and has worked with groups such as Memorial Sloane Kettering, The Gay and Lesbian Community Center, The Family Equality Council and Single Mothers by Choice.
Ms. Schuman was also chosen as a surrogacy expert to testify to the State Senate Judiciary Committee on the subject of legalizing compensated surrogacy in New York.
In her many years of treating patients who need assistance to build their families, she came to understand that the guidance, support and education she provided could make their paths to parenthood easier. To fill that need, in 2015, she founded the Center for Family Building, a trusted comprehensive resource offering products, videos, coaching services, support programs and more.
Ms. Schuman’s My Lifebook which is now available on Amazon, was created to capture special memories and moments from the journey to have a child. Says Schuman, “Children love hearing about how they came into the world and My Lifebook can help them feel connected to their beginnings.”
As the principal investigator for many studies on egg freezing, Ms. Schuman was honored with three awards for her research by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the Pacific Coast Reproductive Society. Ms. Schuman sat on the board of the American Fertility Association and was a group leader for RESOLVE. Ms. Schuman received her Undergraduate degree at Northeastern University and her graduate degree at Yeshiva University.
Ms. Schuman, who lives in Connecticut with her husband and three children, has personally experienced almost every facet of family building including fertility treatment, surgeries, alternative therapies, surrogacy and adoption and has lived through the struggles raising mainstream and special needs children. This has given her special insight into the trials, tribulations and joys of the families she counsels. Says Schuman, “I can talk the talk but I have also walked the walk.”
OUR TEAM
LISA SCHUMAN, LCSW
Founding Director of The Center for Family Building
Lisa Schuman, LCSW, is a leading expert in family building and has helped people around globe build the families of their dreams.
She has lectured extensively and has written numerous articles on a variety of family building subjects including LGBTQ, and single parent family building. Ms. Schuman also runs workshops and offers counseling for parents and children who have formed their families through sperm and egg donation or adoption.
Ms. Schuman has been working as a licensed therapist for more than two decades and is currently the Director of Mental Health Services for Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut and Gay Parents to Be. She is a consultant for schools and corporations and has worked with groups such as Memorial Sloane Kettering, The Gay and Lesbian Community Center, The Family Equality Council and Single Mothers by Choice.
CAROLYN BERGER, LCSW
Carolyn has been helping people build families through fertility treatment and adoption for over 25 years. Once her clients become parents, she is available for consultation on issues ranging from disclosing donor or adoption information to young children to coping with the needs of children who have learning differences.
Carolyn provides consultation to fertility clinics, individuals and couples. She counsels people dealing with pregnancy loss through the National Council for Jewish Women.
She is Founding Board Chair of Path2Parenthood and is on the board of Family Equality Council. She is a member of ASRM’s Mental Health Professionals Group.
Carolyn is both a biological and an adoptive parent.
LAUREN DONATO, MA, LMHC
Lauren has been helping people live their best lives for fifteen years. Her initial interest in working in the area of fertility treatment came from her own personal journey. Through personal experience, Lauren learned the value of support and guidance during family building. In addition to her graduate degree, Lauren completed a post graduate course in reproductive counseling. She is available for consultation on topics including, but not limited to, fertility treatments, gamate donation, single parent and LGBTQ family building.
ALEXANDRA KARIYANNIS, LMSW
Alexandra values the importance of family and strives to help others cope with the challenges of infertility and/or explore alternative family building options.
Alexandra provides support and guidance to individuals every step of the way, from infertility and pregnancy to parenting support. Within her sessions, Alexandra facilitates a comfortable, non-judgmental environment, where her clients can speak freely about their thoughts, feelings and questions.
Alexandra is a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine's Mental Health Professional Group. She graduated with a Masters Degree in Social Work from New York University and has extensive experience in child and family therapy.
JEFF LEVIN, LCSW
Jeff is a Clinical Social Worker who has extensive experience in helping intended parents through their family building process. He works with individuals and couples on relationship concerns, preparing for parenthood, and has a specialty in issues specific to the LGBTQ and Jewish community.
Jeff has delivered workshops at family building conferences and worked for many years at New York City's LGBT Community Center where he ran programs for families and created programming for the Center’s annual Expo.
Jeff has a Masters Degree in Social Work from Columbia University, and is currently participating in post-graduate training in clinical work with couples from the Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy.
JENNIFER “JAY” PALUMBO
Jay serves as the Communications Director at The Center for Family Building. She is an award-winning blogger and writer who has been featured in ScaryMommy, Time Magazine, the Huffington Post, multiple websites and online magazines covering topics such as infertility, women’s health, pregnancy, dating, parenting, being the parent of an autistic child, fertility treatments and more. As an infertility subject matter expert and women’s health advocate, she has been asked to speak at several conferences (CCW, New England Resolve, etc.), and has been interviewed on news outlets such as CNN, NPR, FOX, NBC and BBC.
She currently provides a portfolio of businesses, organizations and individuals with online content, social media, and marketing strategies. She also volunteers for various organizations including the Alliance for Fertility Preservation, Resolve, the National Infertility Association, March of Dimes and Gilda’s Club. She is very excited to support Lisa and The Center for Family Building’s overall objective’s in helping others build families.
SHEILA LAMB
Sheila serves as the Community Manager at The Center for Family Building. Sheila had a six-year unexplained infertility journey that involved fertility treatment and loss. A week after her forty-seventh birthday, she welcomed her rainbow daughter into the world, who was conceived using a donor egg. Sheila now supports the TTC and loss community through her This is fertility book series - a collection of real-life short stories, straight from the heart, about the emotional realities of infertility, fertility treatments and loss.
VIDEOS
LECTURES AND AWARDS
LGBTQ TOPICS
MEN HAVING BABIES
How to talk to your child about their origins,
How to create a Lifebook for your child (2021)
LEGACY
Fertility and Fertility Preservation for Trans Women (2021)
FAMILY EQUALITY COUNCIL
COVID-19 and stress: Strategies for Fertility Patients (2020)
THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE
2019 ASRM Accepted Oral Abstract: The Burden of Family Building as a Gay Male Couple: The majority of men seen at a large reproductive medicine practice desire a child with each of their genetics
LGBT NETWORK, SUMMER PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS/PARENTS
Pathways to Parenthood with The Center for Family Building (2019)
JEFFERSON INFERTILITY COUNSELING CONFERENCE, PHILADELPHIA
What's New in LGBTQ Family Building (2019)
FAMILY EQUALITY COUNCIL, FAMILY WEEK
Developmental Milestones for Non-Genetically Related Children (2018)
THE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY CENTER, NEW YORK
LGBTQ Family Building Presentations (2000, 2010, 2018, 2019)
TRIANGLE COMMUNITY CENTER, CONNECTICUT
Family Building in the LGBTQ Community Presentation (2015)
NATIONAL LGBTQ TASK FORCE, NEW YORK
LGBTQ Family Building Presentation (2015)
THE ADOPTIVE PARENTS COMMITTEE, NEW YORK
Gay and Lesbian Options in Adoption Presentation (2011)
GAY PARENTS TO BE
Active member and blog writer for reproductive medicine group developed to help LGBTQ individuals and couples become parents.
EGG FREEZING TOPICS
THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE
2014 Nurses Research Award: A 9-Year Analysis Of Trends In Ovarian Response To Stimulation In Elective Oocyte Cryopreservation And In Vitro Fertilization Patients
2014 ASRM Accepted Abstract: Women Pursuing Oocyte Cryopreservation For Non-Medical Purposes Are More Likely To Achieve >10 Oocytes If Their FSH Is <11, Regardless Of Age
2013 ASRM Symposium: New Developments In Egg Freezing: Psychological Perspectives
2013 Nurses Research Award: Women Pursuing Non-Medical Oocyte Cryopreservation Would Consider Non-Genetic Methods Of Family Building Such As Adoption Or Ovum Donation
2013 ASRM Accepted Abstract: Psychology Of Egg Freezing Patients: Would They Consider Single Motherhood If They Did Not Marry In Some Specified Time?
2011 ASRM Accepted Abstract: Trends In Age In Non-Medical Oocyte Cryopreservation
2009 Symposium: Controversial Topics Related To Medical And Non-Medical Oocyte Cryopreservation
PACIFIC COAST REPRODUCTIVE SOCIETY
2012 Pacific Coast Reproductive Society Non-Doctoral Research Award Women Undergoing Oocyte Cryopreservation For Non-Medical Purposes Openly Share Information About Their Treatment To Their Family And Friends
DONOR/FERTILITY/ADOPTION TOPICS
THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE
Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Psychological Implications (2021)
TUTUM GLOBAL
Loss and living childfree (2021)
SCHWARTZ, SLADKUS, REICH, GREENBERG AND ATLAS
Mental Health and Legal Considerations Attendant to Third Party Reproduction Arrangements Using Reproductive Technologies (2019)
WEBINAR
How to Choose a Donor (2019)
RESOLVE NEW ENGLAND CONFERENCE
How to Choose a Donor (2018)
THE ADOPTIVE PARENTS COMMITTEE (ANNUAL MEETING 2000-PRESENT)
Ages And Stages: Developmental Issues In Adoption Presentation
Blended Families Presentation
How To Engage A Birthmother Presentation
Paths To Parenthood Presentation
PARENTING NON-GENETICALLY RELATED CHILDREN
THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE
The TIP TOP Program Roundtable Presentation (2017)
THE JCCA NYC
Paths To Parenthood Presentation (2010)
Blended Families Presentation (2012)
Forever Families Weekend Workshops (annual meeting 2010-2016)
Children’s group: Under 5
Children’s group: 5 to teen
Raising Children with Learning Differences
Blended Families
STEPHEN GAYNOR SCHOOL, NEW YORK
The impact of Adoption and Self-Esteem on Children with Learning Differences Presentation (2015)
Non-Genetic Parenting (2016)
Developing a Narrative For Your Adopted Child (2016)
EAGLE HILL SCHOOL
Learning Differences in Adopted Children (2017)
SCARSDALE HIGH SCHOOL
The impact of self-esteem in children with learning differences (2017)
THE NEW YORK ASSOCIATION FOR SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS
Accepted Abstract: The TIP TOP Program (2016)
FERTILITY TREATMENT
YESHIVA UNIVERSITY
The Psycho-Emotional Impact of Infertility in the Jewish World and Essential Mental Health Support Services (2019)
THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE
2018 ASRM Accepted Abstract: A lay led support group is more popular than a professionally led support group at a large reproductive medicine office
THE AMERICAN FERTILITY ASSOCIATION
Support Group Leader (1999-2001)
Workshops on a variety of fertility issues including Developmental Issues for Children In Third Party Reproduction (1999-2002)
RESOLVE
Support Group Leader (1998)
SINGLE PARENTS
Family Building for Single Women (with Jane Mattes, LCSW)
Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut (2014, 2015, 2016)
Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York (2012)
WEEKLY SUPPORT GROUPS FOR INFERTILITY AND THIRD PARTY PARENTING
Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York (2006-2014)
Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut (2014 to present)
AFFILIATES
Affiliate Program
Have you been telling your friends, clients or patients about our program?
YOU MAY WANT TO APPLY FOR OUR AFFILIATE PROGRAM…
Affiliate Program FAQs
What is The CENTER FOR FAMILY BUILDING Affiliate Program all about?
You are invited to assist us in supporting and educating individuals and couples so they can have an easier journey to parenthood and a better parenting experience. Just fill out the form at the bottom of this page to apply to become a member of our Affiliate Team. Promote our products and services and share the benefit of helping others while increasing your revenue. Use your own customized link and each time someone clicks on your link and makes a purchase from our site, you will receive a benefit.
What are the requirements to become a CENTER FOR FAMILY BUILDING Affiliate?
There are a few requirements that must be met in order for your application to be
approved:
- Must be subscribed to The Center for Family Building newsletter list. Here is
the link for signing up: CLICK HERE - Follow The Center for Family Building on at least TWO of our social media
platforms:
Facebook: The Center for Family Building
Instagram: @thecenterforfamilybuilding
Twitter: @familybuild
YouTube: The Center for Family Building - Have an established website for your business or brand
- Our graphics/products MUST be featured on your WEBSITE
- A strong and active social media presence on at least TWO platforms
- ONE JOINT PARTNERSHIP WITH ME. I firmly believe that together we are
better so we are requiring one partnership per year. Guest blog posts, Facebook Live interviews, Instagram take over, Podcast guest, etc...
What will I earn as an Affiliate?
You will earn a 40% commission for each Center for Family Building product sold via
your custom affiliate link. (PLEASE NOTE: This does NOT include products linked to
Amazon.com on our website. Or referrals for counseling or coaching). Your earnings are tracked and tallied in our system each time someone clicks on your custom affiliate link and purchases a product from the Center for Family Building website.
Do I receive any samples of the products?
Yes! When signing up as an affiliate you also receive one copy of each color of our
Lifebook to show your clients, and patients or to use at a workshop or event.
How will I get paid?
Payments are deposited directly into your PayPal account twice per year (End of
September and March) or we can mail you a check if you prefer.
How do I get started?
To get started, just fill out our Affiliate Program application at the bottom of this page. Once we review your application and you are approved, we will provide you with your own unique custom affiliate link, as well as images and text copy for you to use to promote The Center for Family Building.
Where can I use the affiliate link?
You can place your custom affiliate link for The Center for Family Building on your
website, your blog, through your social media accounts like Twitter, Facebook and
Instagram, in your email newsletter campaigns, or simply share it directly with your
friends and colleagues.
How do I spread the word? Do you provide any marketing materials?
Yes. Along with your custom affiliate link, we will provide you with graphics, photos, and marketing content, including a sample blog and social media posts. PLEASE NOTE: You MUST use our graphics to promote our products. These are all easily accessible by logging into your Affiliate account, under the “Banners” tab.
What about the fine print?
Questions? Call us at (917) 576-7580, email us at lisa@familybuilding.net
Join our community and get free expert advice and information on ways to make your journey easier. As a bonus you will receive our downloadable ebook -- BABY STEPS.