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Fertility Counselling

What is fertility counselling at the London Fertility Centre?

As part of our care ethos, we understand that the process of fertility testing and treatment can impact individuals at a deep emotional level and can often be stressful for patients. It is an anxious time for both men and women, which is why we provide two free counselling sessions per treatment cycle for all patients. Fertility counselling is designed to provide support to help gain insight into fertility issues. It will not advise or guide you in any way and partners may choose to have counselling together or separately.

Everyone can be affected differently, but many may experience these common emotions:

Counselling is part of our care ethos
  • anger
  • envy
  • guilt
  • loss of control
  • social isolation
  • anxiety
  • low mood

Individuals may require different types of counselling at different stages of fertility treatment which is why we offer couples and individuals the opportunity to talk to an impartial counsellor in a confidential setting. The four types of counselling London Fertility Centre offers are listed below:

1. Support counselling

Counselling can offer general support during difficult periods in the fertility process, where patients experience anxiety and/or stress, or if an unsuccessful outcome is reported. It is not obligatory to have support counselling but patients might find that exploring feelings and coping strategies beneficial.

2. Therapeutic counselling

LFC offers long-term counselling on a six session contract basis. Therapeutic counselling is provided to assist patients in coming to terms with their situation as well as providing long-term support to patients who find fertility treatment distressing and in helping patients to accept the consequences of ending treatment.

3. Implications counselling

You may wish to consider the implications of fertility treatment for yourself, your family and for any children that may be born as a result. There can be emotional, relational, financial and social implications, and counselling can help to explore these so that patients can make well-informed decisions about their treatment options. Every recipient of sperm, egg or embryo donation, as well as patients undergoing surrogacy treatment, is required to see the counsellor for implications counselling. Patients wishing to undergo egg freezing with the view to using cryopreserved eggs for treatment in the future are also required to receive implications counselling.

4. Assessment counselling

Where an LFC doctor has concerns about a patient’s emotional or psychological wellbeing, or the welfare of a resulting child, the patient or couple, if appropriate, will be referred for assessment counselling. This is to assess the patient’s readiness for treatment and awareness of implications of the treatment. The counsellor will assess whether any concerns remain, and may refer the patient  to the centre’s Internal Review Committee for further discussion and a decision regarding treatment. The cost of an assessment is £100.

Frequently Asked Questions about fertility counselling

How do I make an appointment to see a counsellor? 

You may book an appointment by contacting us 0207 224 0707 or speak directly to the centre’s reception or a member of staff.

Who will I see at the LFC?

Gosia Heeley is the fertility counsellor at LFC. She qualified as a psychodynamic counsellor in 2001 and joined LFC in 2002. She is an accredited member of BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy) and an accredited member of BICA (British Infertility Counselling Association). Gosia also works as a volunteer for the RASASC (Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre).

How often can I see a counsellor?

Patients can see the counsellor at any stage of treatment, as often as they feel it is beneficial. Patients are entitled to two free counselling sessions per treatment session and will be responsible for the cost of undertaking any additional external private counselling. 

What kind of problems can counselling help with?

We encourage our patients to discuss anything that is troubling them, whether they are planning, undergoing, or have received fertility treatment at LFC. Problems with relationships, fear of treatment outcome and pain of loss are among the many issues people seek support for. Often it is simply helpful to talk through the implications of treatment and consider future options within a supportive and understanding environment. 

Is the service confidential? 

While supportive and therapeutic counselling sessions are confidential, your counsellor has a responsibility to note in your records that you have undertaken those sessions. If your counsellor considers it important to pass on any other details, this will be discussed with you prior to writing the report. All communication between the counsellor and your fertility specialist will be filed in your records and kept confidentially within London Fertility Centre.

What about written records? 

A short report is written following all implications counselling sessions to list the issues explored. A detailed report is written after assessment counselling sessions. These files are kept confidentially within LFC.

Should I attend the appointment on my own or with my partner?

All implications counselling sessions need to be attended along with your partner, as applicable. If you need support counselling and you are trying to reach a decision, or are concerned about how treatment might affect your relationship, it can be useful to attend sessions with  your partner. If you are struggling with your own feelings, however, you may prefer to attend support counselling on your own. The counselling service is provided for your  support and the counsellor will be happy to work with  you in whatever way best meets your individual needs.

What if I can’t attend an appointment?

We require 48 hours notice in advance of any appointment being cancelled. You can cancel appointments by telephoning LFC on 0207 224 0707. Please be aware that we will ask for your credit card details when making an appointment. If 48 hours notice is not given, we reserve the right to charge you for the appointment.

If I decide to have treatment at another centre, can I continue to see a counsellor from LFC?

Our counselling service is only available for patients having treatment at or in conjunction with LFC. Should you choose to attend another fertility centre, either in the United Kingdom or abroad, you will have to seek counselling support elsewhere.

If I already have a child can I bring them to my counselling appointment?

To get the best from any counselling session, we recommend that you do not bring children with you as this can be a distraction for you and may affect how fully you participate in discussing your concerns. If you do bring your child with you, the counsellor may agree to see you for a short session, but will ask you to return on another day without your child.

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Your Fertility Counsellor

Gosia works with patients at London Fertility Centre as she specialises in fertility counselling with patients who are going through fertility treatment as well as with those who are recepients or donors. She qualified as a psychodynamic counsellor in 2001 and joined LFC in 2002. She is an accredited member of BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy) and an accredited member of BICA (British Infertility Counselling Association). Gosia also works as a volunteer for the RASASC (Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre).


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