Counselling

“Counselling is a process through which individuals and couples are given an opportunity to explore themselves – their thoughts, feelings and benefits, in order to come to greater understanding of their present situation, and to discover ways of living more satisfactorily and efficiently. Given this opportunity, they will often change their perspective, become less stressed and so be in a better position to make more informed decisions for the future. Although counselling is non-directive, the counsellor may, on occasions, assume an educative role, offering information where decision making issues are being addressed.” [BICABritish Infertility Counselling Association]

As fertility treatment can be lengthy, frustrating, and an emotionally charged process, the counsellor employed by London Fertility Centre is here to support you at all stages of your treatment. If you feel you could benefit from support counselling (see below) you can make an appointment with the counsellor by contacting the Appointments Secretary on 020 7224 0707 or through your doctor at London Fertility Centre.

There are 4 types of counselling provided by London Fertility Centre (LFC):

1. Support Counselling.

   All patients may benefit from support counselling at any time of their treatment. It is not obligatory to have supportive counselling but patients might find the time and space to explore feelings and coping strategies beneficial. All patients are entitled to 2 free supportive counselling sessions per treatment cycle.

2. Therapeutic Counselling.

   LFC offers long term counselling on a 6 session contract basis. Therapeutic counselling is there to assist patients with coming to terms with their situation as well as providing long term support to patients who find fertility treatment distressing.

3. Implications Counselling.

   Every recipient of sperm, egg or embryo donation is required to see the counsellor for implications counselling to explore the issues linked to donation and the possible effect on the family and resulting child. Patients going through surrogacy treatment are also required to have implications counselling unless it has been arranged by COTS or SURROGACY UK. A counselling report from COTS or SURROGACY UK counsellor will then be requested.

4. Assessment Counselling.

   In cases where the LFC doctor has concerns about the patient’s emotional and psychological welfare or the welfare of the resulting child the patient will be referred for assessment counselling. This is to assess the patients’ readiness for treatment and awareness of implications of the treatment. The counsellor will write a report, which will be presented to the Internal Review Committee.

Please be aware that we will ask for your credit card details when making an appointment. We require 48 hours notice in advance of any appointment that you wish to cancel. If 48 hours notice is not given, we reserve the right to charge you for the appointment.

Who counsels?

London Fertility Centre employs one fertility counsellor on a part-time basis who is accredited by the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and is a member of British Infertility Counsellors Association (BICA). The Centre also has links with external counsellors. Patients are welcome to ask for their details if they would prefer to see somebody other than our in-house counsellor.

The counsellor might feel that some patients could benefit from specialist support depending on the issues presented. The counsellor will then suggest a referral and provide the details of other organisations or therapists who will be better equipped to help.

Who benefits?

Infertility can be stressful and patients vary in their response to it and in the way they cope. Awareness of the psychological and emotional process that might be present for patients enables the counsellor to work with patients to explore the implications of treatment and coping strategies, and to be able to provide support.

All that is discussed during counselling sessions is strictly confidential.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority recommends that counselling be available to all undergoing fertility treatment. It is voluntary and provision of it does not imply that patients cannot cope. It merely gives the opportunity to receive counselling and support.