Questions? Call0808 196 1942orMessage us
Logo
Logo

Fertility counselling

Fertility treatment can be a journey of ups and downs, and you may feel many different emotions along the way.

Fertility counselling gives you the opportunity to talk through your thoughts and feelings with a professional counsellor who can help you process what you’re going through.

At TFP Fertility UK, we offer a range of counselling to anyone having treatment with us.

Our counsellors and psychologists are here for you whenever you need support – before, during and after treatment.

Two women getting fertility counselling at TFP Fertility

What is fertility counselling?

Fertility counselling is the process of speaking to a qualified, experienced counsellor or psychologist about all aspects of fertility and fertility treatment.

Going through fertility treatment can be physically and mentally demanding, impacting many areas of your life.

Counselling can help you prepare for the challenges ahead and give you a safe space to share your thoughts and feelings. 

You can talk about any aspect of fertility; our counsellors and psychologists are experienced and can support you through your fertility journey.

Who can have fertility counselling?

You’ll be offered counselling as part of your personalised treatment.

If you’re part of a couple, you can choose to have counselling by yourself, with a partner, or both.

We also offer specialist counselling to those considering donating their eggs or sperm, as well as those using donor eggs or sperm.

When can I access fertility counselling?

Counselling is not just for when you’re going through a difficult time during your fertility treatment.

You can book an appointment with one of our counsellors any time you want to talk.

We’re here to reassure you, answer your questions, and give you the emotional support you need every step of the way.

Getting started contact us

Speak to us today

If you have any questions about our fertility counselling, or you wish to book an appointment at your local TFP Fertility UK clinic, please contact us. There’s no experience like this, and we’re here with you every step of the way.

How might fertility counselling help me?

We know infertility and the ups and downs of fertility treatment can be an emotional time and have a big impact on your life.

It’s therefore important to have a strong support network you can turn to. 

You may find that family and friends can provide a lot of the help you need.

But it’s often helpful to speak to someone distanced from your normal life who’s knowledgeable about fertility treatment.

Speaking to a fertility counsellor could help to:

  • Improve your mental health, helping you cope better with challenges and make you feel more in control of your situation

  • Strengthen your relationship with your partner because counselling ensures everyone’s thoughts are heard

  • Increase your knowledge of all the elements of fertility treatment and what you may feel at each step

What types of fertility counselling do you provide?

At TFP Fertility UK, we offer a range of counselling to meet the different circumstances and needs of our patients.

These include:

Supportive fertility counselling

Fertility treatments can affect all areas of your life, including your relationships, work, financial situation and much more.

Supportive counselling gives you an opportunity to discuss areas of fertility treatment that are troubling you with one of our experienced counsellors.

Attending a supportive counselling session may be something you decide to do at different stages of your fertility treatment.

This is because your feelings and circumstances are likely to change during your journey with us. 

Implications fertility counselling

If you’re having IVF treatment with donor eggs or sperm, we offer implications fertility counselling before treatment to help you explore and understand the emotional and legal aspects of using donor eggs or sperm.

It’s also important to give you a chance to consider the implications for your future family and unborn children.

We also offer this type of counselling to all egg and sperm donors.

This gives people the opportunity to talk confidentially about their donation and ask any questions they may have.

If you’re a single person or a couple using a surrogate to have a baby, our policy is that you, your partner (if applicable), your surrogate, and their partner (if applicable) must attend implications counselling.

This is something we’ll discuss with you during your consultations.

Counselling for unsuccessful IVF treatment

We believe it’s important for people to take time to process their feelings if an IVF cycle is unsuccessful.

This is why we offer specialist counselling for people whose ivf treatment has unfortunately been unsuccessful.

It gives you the opportunity to talk openly with a counsellor about how you’re feeling and discuss what your next steps may be.

You can attend this type of counselling by yourself, as a couple, or both.

Nurse

Genetics counselling

Genetics counselling is focused on genetic testing procedures, such as pre-implantation genetic testing. You might attend if you or a family member has a genetic condition, or you’ve had one or more miscarriages in the past. You can discuss the condition affecting you or a family member and you'll also learn about the risk of passing a condition on to your child, as well as tests and treatments that can help overcome this risk.

Do I have to pay for fertility counselling?

Our counselling is available to everyone and included when you have your fertility treatment with us as part of your personalised treatment plan.

You’ll be given a block of counselling sessions that you can book and attend as and when you need them around your treatment. 

Our aim is to help you every step of the way and ensure you feel supported throughout your journey with us.

How do I access fertility counselling?

Speak to a member of your care team at your TFP Fertility clinic and they’ll explain your options and arrange for you to attend a counselling session.

Will anything I say in my fertility counselling affect my treatment?

At TFP Fertility UK, our counsellors are registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and follow the regulatory guidelines they set out.

This means any information you disclose in your counselling sessions is confidential.

It won’t be shared with any other member of our team unless your counsellor has concerns about you harming yourself or other people, or the welfare of your future child.

But if your counsellor does have any of these concerns, they‘ll talk to you first and discuss the best way forward.

Adapting to being a parent

Some people find adapting to parenthood can be a challenge.

This can be for a number of reasons, such as pressure that’s built up in a relationship during treatment or simply the shock of becoming parents after trying for a long time.

If you do find adjusting to parenthood difficult, there are many helpful options available, such as health visitors and local support groups.

You can access these either on your own or with your partner, to discuss your feelings and any specific problems, build a support network and get advice about potential next steps to resolve these issues.

Can you link me to a support group?

We can connect you with fertility support groups, as well as other people having fertility treatment who are keen to connect with others and share their experiences.

These support groups give you the opportunity to speak to and share experiences with people going through similar circumstances.

You’ll also have the chance to ask our team members and any guest speakers questions during a group meeting.

If a support group isn’t available at your local TFP Fertility UK clinic, or you don’t wish to attend a face-to-face meeting, you may find online support groups helpful.

We can recommend the best ones for you and your circumstances.

Popular online fertility support groups include:

What support options are there for men?

We know that many men struggle to speak about fertility issues with their partners and other family members and friends.

This is why we offer confidential counselling for men where you’re encouraged to talk through the difficult feelings you’re experiencing.

You can attend counselling sessions by yourself, with a partner, or both.

TFP Fertility clinic first time consultation
TFP Fertility clinic events
lines

Ready to start your fertility journey? We're here for you

Speak to our patient support team for advice about your options and to book your first consultation with a fertility expert.