Consultation vs. Evaluation: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters in Third-Party Reproduction
When you're navigating third-party reproduction, whether as an intended parent, egg donor, sperm donor, embryo donor, or surrogate, mental health professionals are often part of the process. But not all services are the same. Two of the most common types of mental health services in family-building are consultations and evaluations.
If you've ever wondered “Do I need both?” or “What even is the difference?”...you’re not alone.
Let’s break it down so you can feel informed, empowered, and supported.
What Is a Consultation?
A consultation is a collaborative, supportive conversation designed to provide guidance, information, and psychoeducation. At Thallo Health, consultations are typically offered to intended parents and every session is unique to their journey.
Key features of consultations:
- Focus on support and education, not clinical clearance
- Opportunity to explore emotional expectations, boundaries, communication, and decision-making
- Tailored to the needs of the individual or couple, no two consultations are the same
- Help clients prepare mentally and emotionally for the complexities of third-party reproduction
Who receives consultations?
- Intended parents (including single parents or couples using donors or surrogates)
- Families exploring embryo donation or dual journeys
- Individuals needing a space to ask questions, process grief or loss, or navigate layered emotions
Important note: Consultations are not assessments. We’re not gatekeeping. We’re helping you walk into this journey with clarity, confidence, and support.
What Is an Evaluation?
An evaluation is a structured, clinical assessment, often required for donors and surrogates. This process helps ensure psychological readiness and alignment with best practices in third-party reproduction.
Key features of evaluations:
- Includes standardized psychological testing (like the PAI)
- A comprehensive psychosocial interview conducted by a licensed clinician
- Assessment of mental health history, emotional wellness, risk factors, and life stability
- Results in a formal recommendation or clinical clearance report
Who receives evaluations?
- Egg donors
- Sperm donors
- Embryo donors
- Gestational carriers (surrogates)
- Traditional carriers
This is a protective step, not only for intended parents, but for the donors and surrogates themselves. Evaluations ensure that everyone enters the process with eyes open, needs considered, and support systems in place.
Why the Distinction Matters
While consultations and evaluations both center around mental health, they serve very different purposes. Understanding the distinction helps:
- Set expectations for your appointment
- Encourage open and honest participation
- Protect the emotional and psychological well-being of all parties
- Build stronger communication between clinics, agencies, and providers
At Thallo Health, we often hear that understanding why these steps matter helps clients feel seen, not scrutinized.
Our Approach at Thallo Health
Whether you’re scheduling a consultation or undergoing a clinical evaluation, you’re never navigating the process alone. Our multidisciplinary team, licensed mental health professionals, case coordinators, and administrative staff, works collaboratively to provide care that is trauma-informed, emotionally attuned, and clinically sound.
We believe every family-building journey deserves not only professional insight and emotional clarity, but also a structured support system that adapts to each individual’s needs.
If you're an intended parent looking for guidance, you can schedule a consultation with our team. If you're a clinic or agency, we welcome you to refer donors or surrogates for comprehensive evaluation through our specialized process.
Contact us today: https://www.thallohealth.com/contact
