What is fertility counselling?
Fertility counselling provides a safe and confidential space for an individual or a couple to talk freely and openly about their feelings and experiences around potential parenthood in a non-judgmental environment. It can help to make sense of the emotions that are experienced, and explore the discussions, decisions and difficulties that might be part of the fertility journey.
It can cover a range of issues including grief and loss, options and implications of assisted reproduction, using donor eggs or sperm, exploring surrogacy options and it can help a client or clients to come to the best decisions for them at any stage of their treatmen
Why is specialist fertility counselling important?
It can help a client to make choices, and change aspects of their situation if desired. It can provide information about what might be involved in various forms of treatment, although it doesn’t involve giving advice or direction to take any particular course of action.
Fertility counselling allows you to talk to a trained therapist, who can empathise with and understand what you are going through. Counselling is an opportunity to explore many decisions, emotional difficulties, fears and anxieties, or distress that might be experienced during in any fertility journey.
It can help a client to make choices, and change aspects of their situation if desired. It can provide information about what might be involved in various forms of treatment, although it doesn’t involve giving advice or direction to take any particular course of action.
Fertility treatment can also impact a client’s relationships with a partner, their family and others. Attending counselling can provide support on how to deal with family and friends. It can help reduce feelings of isolation and provide a supportive space as a person is contemplating or undergoing fertility treatment.
Topics of fertility counselling can include:
- Coping with other’s pregnancy news
- Coping with unsuccessful IVF cycles
- Coping with family/religious issues
- Depression, anxiety and stress
- Donor conception
- IVF and assisted conception
- Identity crisis: who am I if not a mother?
- Initial diagnosis: what are my options?
- Coping with isolation
- Dealing with trauma
- Grief & loss (of a dream, biological children & embryos)
- Low self-esteem/worth/confidence
- Managing strong feelings
- Managing expectations
- Miscarriage & baby loss
- Ante/post-natal anxiety/depression
- Relationship issues
- Sex and intimacy
- Relaxation, meditation and visualization