Thursday 23rd October 2025

Taking the step to move towards donor conception to have a sibling when you have a genetic child can be a complex decision. One of the biggest questions we hear is… how do I talk to my existing child about a new sibling, and the fact that we are using a donor to conceive them? Similar to the questions of when and how is best to speak to a child about donor conception, but with an additional layer of complexity in explaining more than one conception story within the family. In this webinar, we talk to Clinical Psychologist Dr Avital Pearlman about how we can prepare for and approach these conversations within families of mixed genetics.

Avital has spent her career supporting children, families and individuals and couples throughout their fertility journey and beyond, working across CAMHS, Paediatric and perinatal settings. In her work with children and adolescents, Avital has often worked with children who are donor conceived, within this context Avital considers the development of identity throughout the different stages of childhood and is mindful of all the factors that contribute to a sense of self. This work is also informed by working with parents who are considering or have children via donor conception. It is through this lens that she informs how conversations can happen sensitively, both keeping in mind children’s understanding and the parental journey. Avital works systemically and her practice is informed by attachment theory.