Counselling
Introduction
Our team takes your welfare very seriously and aims to provide you with an excellent service. An important part of your investigations and treatment is monitoring how you are coping emotionally at what can be a stressful time.
We hope that you may be able to get some support from your family and friends, but sometimes it is helpful to speak to someone independent who will not judge you or give you advice.
We have a specialist infertility Counsellor here at the Clinic who may be able to help you to talk about how you are feeling, and to make different choices in your life to try to cope better with things that seem beyond your control.
The Counselling Service
Short term infertility counselling is included in the cost of your treatment and you can access the service as soon as you become a patient and for up to a year following the end of your treatment. You may have been referred for counselling by your NHS consultant – in which case two sessions are free. You may see the Counsellor with your partner if you have one or on your own – whichever you prefer. Everyone having treatment or fertility investigations at Princess Anne Hospital is welcome to use this service.
What can Counselling help you with?
For example:
- Making decisions about treatment
- Stress
- How to deal with family and friends
- Relationship difficulties
- Dealing with unsuccessful treatment
- Low self esteem and lack of confidence
- Deciding whether to end treatment
- Anxiety and depression
Preparation for parenthood sessions
If you and/or your partner are considering one of the following:
- Treatment involving donated eggs, sperm or embryos
- Egg sharing
- Egg or sperm donation
- Embryo donation
You will be invited to see the counsellor to discuss the implications of doing this. You need to attend this appointment with your partner if you have one.
Legally, all UK licensed fertility clinics must give patients a suitable opportunity to have counselling about proposed treatments before they consent to go ahead. In the above cases, due to the complex issues involved, there is a policy of mandatory preparation sessions with the counsellor for people sharing, donating or receiving donated gametes. You will have this session before you consent to treatment.
The counsellor will give you the time and space to explore the implications of treatment or donation in confidence and without judging you or offering you advice. Please do not worry - your appointment for Implications Counselling is not part of any screening or assessment process.
You are also invited to make an appointment to see the Counsellor to discuss the implications of
- Your treatment generally
- Consenting to the use and storage of embryos
- Storing sperm and eggs for future use
Confidentiality
Counselling sessions are confidential. The Counsellor will not write down any information about the session on your medical records, but she will note that she has seen you for counselling.
There are some exceptions to confidentiality which the counsellor will discuss with you at the start of your first session.
Useful Contacts
The Counsellor will be able to give you information on specific organisations that offer support and information on fertility related issues.
Infertility Network UK is the UK's leading charity providing information, support and advice to all those struggling to conceive. www.infertilitynetworkuk.com