Leone Centre Fertility and IVF Counselling
Struggling to conceive can leave one or both partners with feelings of inadequacy, failure, sadness and at times, depression. Fertility counselling can help address these emotions to improve health and well-being on an individual, couple and family level.
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Fertility issues can bring about a wide range of emotions that may feel overwhelming or difficult to express. At the Leone Centre, individuals and couples are supported as they explore deeply personal experiences, such as:
- Recurrent miscarriage: The loss of a pregnancy can be a deeply painful experience, and experiencing multiple miscarriages can intensify feelings of grief, sadness, and hopelessness. Counselling offers a safe space to process these emotions, find ways to manage, and find ways to move forward.
- Emotional impact of postpartum changes: The period after childbirth brings significant physical, hormonal, and emotional changes. These changes can affect mental health and relationships, leading to anxiety, depression, or feelings of isolation. Counselling can help individuals and couples adjust to these changes and work through the challenges of parenthood.
- Decisions about donor conception or surrogacy: Choosing donor conception or surrogacy involves complex emotions and ethical considerations. Counselling can help individuals and couples explore their feelings about these options, understand the implications for their family, and make informed decisions that align with their values.
Our counsellors bring years of experience supporting clients through the emotional impact of fertility difficulties, IVF, and alternative routes to parenthood. With a thoughtful and sensitive approach, they create a safe and confidential space for individuals and couples to explore their emotions, relationships, and hopes for the future. They possess specialised training in fertility counselling and hold memberships in respected professional organisations, including the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), ensuring a high standard of support.
Whether you and your partner have just found out you will not be able to conceive, are struggling to recover from a miscarriage or are going through the process of starting a family through IVF, adoption or other means, fertility counselling can help.
The emotional rollercoaster of fertility issues can be extremely complex, and many people withdraw and isolate themselves when they are unsure of how to navigate or comprehend their emotions.
We understand that fertility is a personal, intimate issue and something many people find hard to discuss or come to terms with. It might be challenging to ask for support. IVF and fertility counselling can provide you with the tools to manage the process and understand your emotions.
What is IVF and Fertility Counselling?
Fertility counselling helps couples navigate and understand their emotions during the emotional rollercoaster of IVF or alternative routes for having a child. Many experience shock or denial when issues with fertility emerge and even as the process goes on. The Leone Centre can provide support through individual psychotherapy and help couples work through the process in relationship counselling sessions.
Feelings of blame and repressed anger and disappointment may be affecting your relationship when dealing with the challenge of infertility and the rollercoaster of IVF. At Leone Centre, our qualified and registered associates are available for counselling and will offer a safe, confidential and open environment where couples can work through their concerns and feelings. IVF and fertility counselling sessions can help couples make decisions and move forward together.
No two fertility journeys will be the same. As such, we ensure every fertility counselling session is sensitive and adapted to your unique circumstance.
What Fertility and IVF Counselling Covers
- Fertility counselling at the Leone Centre offers an opportunity to explore and address a range of emotional and relational concerns, including:
- Adjusting to unexpected news or changes in family plans.
- Grieving pregnancy loss or considering alternative family-building options.
- Reflecting on feelings connected to donor conception, surrogacy, or adoption.
- Supporting relationship dynamics during challenging times: Counselling helps couples communicate openly, manage stress, and maintain closeness during fertility challenges. By providing tools for open and respectful communication, therapists guide couples in developing approaches to manage and encouraging understanding and empathy. This support ensures their relationship remains strong and supportive despite the challenges they face.
- Exploring thoughts and emotions around parenthood and what it may mean for you
How Can Counselling Help You & Your Family?
Stress and the emotional well-being of the mother (or mother-to-be) are widely considered to impact the success of IVF or fertility treatment. In fact, studies by the University of California highlight that continued or chronic stress reduces fertility because it activates the hormone called the gonadotrophin inhibitor. The Leone Centre can help to manage stress and other concerns triggered by infertility or IVF.
Many couples do not know where to turn or how to escape the anxiety and overwhelming emotional cycle, but IVF and fertility counselling can work in preparation for and parallel to your IVF treatment. The emotional support of fertility counselling can help couples to find balance and establish a healthy foundation on which to build their relationship and family.
In IVF and fertility counselling, we can look to help you process grief and the disappointment of not being able to conceive as expected. Fertility counselling sessions are recommended for couples when they have decided to use a surrogate or donor. These sessions will help both partners come to terms with the potential complexities and confusing feelings of infertility.
Fertility counselling at the Leone Centre will help both partners explore and understand their options and what they are emotionally ready for, including parenthood and the long-term and short-term impacts of their decisions. For more information, contact one of our team members for an initial consultation or to book an appointment at a time that suits you.
A typical session involves:
Initial assessment: The counsellor gathers information about your history, concerns, and goals for therapy.
Therapeutic approaches: Therapists help you challenge negative thoughts, manage stress and anxiety, and develop healthy approaches to manage.
Validation of Feelings: Fertility difficulties can bring a wide range of emotions, including grief, sadness, frustration, or a sense of isolation. At the Leone Centre, we offer a supportive space to explore these emotions in a way that feels natural and unhurried. Counselling can help you find understanding and balance, allowing you to reconnect with yourself and those around you.
Feeling heard and understood can:
Alleviate emotional distress: Expressing your emotions freely, without fear of judgement, can reduce feelings of overwhelm and provide relief.
Reduce feelings of isolation: Realising that your experiences are valid and shared by others can diminish feelings of loneliness and create a sense of connection.
Empower you to manage: Validation from a therapist can strengthen your ability to work through challenges and make informed decisions about your journey and family-building options.
Emotional and Relational Focus
Fertility challenges often affect not only individuals but also the relationships that matter most. Counselling can provide an opportunity for couples to explore emotions, strengthen understanding, and work through challenges together. By offering a space for open dialogue, we aim to support both individuals and relationships during what can be a difficult and emotional time.
Flexibility and Accessibility
We recognise the importance of having support available at a time and in a way that works for you. Our counselling sessions are available both online and in person, offering flexibility and convenience. Whether you are seeking individual support or sessions as a couple, we aim to provide an environment where you can feel at ease.
Each session offers a space for reflection and understanding, designed to help you explore your thoughts and feelings in a confidential setting. Fertility counselling at the Leone Centre provides a dedicated time to discuss experiences such as the challenges of IVF, adjusting to changes in your plans for parenthood, or processing recent losses. Sessions are shaped to meet your needs and support you wherever you are in your journey.
FAQs
What specific fertility challenges does the Leone Centre address in counselling?
The Leone Centre specialises in supporting individuals and couples facing a range of fertility challenges, including:
- Recurrent miscarriage: Counselling provides a safe and supportive environment to process the grief, sadness, and hopelessness that can accompany multiple pregnancy losses.
- Emotional impact of postpartum changes: Counsellors help individuals and couples adjust to the significant physical, hormonal, and emotional changes that occur after childbirth, addressing potential mental health concerns and relationship challenges.
- Decisions about donor conception or surrogacy: The Leone Centre offers guidance and support in working through the complex emotions and ethical considerations involved in choosing donor conception or surrogacy, helping individuals and couples make informed decisions aligned with their values.
How can counselling at the Leone Centre help couples strengthen their relationship during fertility challenges?
Fertility challenges can put significant strain on relationships. The Leone Centre’s counselling services provide a dedicated space for couples to:
- Communicate openly: Counsellors equip couples with tools for open and respectful communication, encouraging understanding and empathy.
- Manage stress: Therapy provides approaches to help couples manage the emotional rollercoaster of fertility processes and decisions.
- Maintain closeness: Counselling helps couples address concerns about closeness that may arise from the stress and uncertainty of fertility challenges, supporting their emotional connection.
What can I expect during a typical counselling session at the Leone Centre?
While each session is shaped to meet your individual needs, a typical counselling session at the Leone Centre may involve:
- Initial assessment: The counsellor will gather information about your background, concerns, and goals for therapy.
- Therapeutic approaches: The counsellor will utilise evidence-based methods, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy and mindfulness exercises, to help you challenge negative thoughts, manage stress and anxiety, and develop healthy coping strategies.
- Open dialogue and exploration: The counsellor will create a safe and confidential space for you to discuss your experiences, thoughts, and emotions related to your fertility journey.