Introduction

Fertility journeys can bring hope, uncertainty and strong emotions all at once. Whether you are just beginning to explore your options or are already undergoing treatment, access to sensitive, expert support can ease the emotional burden. JIVA Fertility, a valued partner of LivingCare, provides fertility counselling that creates a confidential space to process feelings, weigh choices around treatment, gametes/embryo freezing and donor options, and manage the practical realities of building a family.

What is fertility counselling and who is it for?

Fertility counselling offers specialised emotional and practical support for people facing challenges with conceiving, considering assisted reproduction, or coping with pregnancy loss and other difficult decisions about family building. It is available to individuals or couples — essentially anyone who would benefit from a confidential environment to explore fears, hopes and decisions.

When might I consider counselling during IVF or other fertility treatment?

Undergoing IVF or other assisted conception can be physically and emotionally demanding. Counselling can help at many stages, including:

• Managing anxiety, stress and grief connected to diagnosis or treatment cycles
• Making sense of test results and treatment choices
• Preparing emotionally for using donor sperm, eggs or embryos
• Considering egg freezing or the implications of postponing parenthood
• Coping with the decision to pause or stop treatment and exploring alternative family-building routes

What happens in a typical counselling session and how is it tailored?

Sessions are client-centred and adapt to your circumstances. Our Senior fertility counsellor will listen to you without judgement, ask open questions that help you clarify values and priorities, and offer coping strategies for difficult feelings. Work might be short-term and focused on a specific decision, or longer-term support through several cycles; the pace is set by you. Practical planning, emotional processing and decision-making support are commonly integrated into each personalised session.

How can counselling support my relationship during fertility treatment?

Fertility issues often change how partners communicate and connect. Counselling provides a neutral setting to:

• Improve communication and manage differences in timing or expectations
• Work through guilt, blame or disappointment that can strain relationships
• Rebuild intimacy and emotional connection during stressful periods
• Explore co-parenting expectations and future planning

Is fertility counselling confidential and inclusive?

Confidentiality is fundamental. Counselling sessions are conducted in a safe, non-judgemental space that respects privacy and personal choice. Care is explicitly inclusive of all genders, sexual orientations and family forms — from single people planning to parent alone, to LGBTQ+ families and trans and non-binary parents. The aim is to acknowledge and support the varied emotional needs that different family-building paths bring.

What does implications counselling for donor conception include?

If you are considering using donor sperm, eggs or embryos, implications counselling helps you reflect on the emotional, legal and practical aspects. Common topics include:

• When and how to talk with a child about their donor origins
• The psychological meaning of genetic links and identity
• Policies around information sharing and contact for donor-conceived people
• Long-term planning for relationships and family narratives

Implications counselling helps people make thoughtful, informed choices and prepares them for future conversations tied to donor conception.

Can counselling help with egg freezing and long-term family planning?

Decisions about fertility preservation involve medical, emotional and financial considerations. Counselling can help you set realistic expectations, weigh timing and goals, and place egg freezing in the context of your broader life plans. It also supports coping with uncertainty and the emotional ups and downs of future planning.

How is counselling integrated with clinical care?

At JIVA fertility, counselling is woven into the overall care pathway so that emotional support complements medical treatment. Our counsellor liaises with clinical team while maintaining professional independence and confidentiality. This integrated approach means counselling can address immediate treatment-related concerns as well as ongoing emotional wellbeing without exerting pressure on clinical decisions.

Who provides fertility counselling?

Our Senior Specialist Fertility Counsellor Angela Pericleous-Smith brings evidence-informed, compassionate approach to supporting individuals and couples through the psychological and practical challenges of fertility care.

What if I'm unsure whether counselling is right for me?

Many people worry that asking for counselling implies a problem. In reality, counselling is a supportive resource for anyone who chooses it — whether you want help preparing before treatment, need support during treatment, or are processing a loss. You do not need to be in crisis to benefit; counselling can strengthen resilience, provide clarity and offer a trusted space to think through complicated decisions.

Conclusion

Fertility counselling can be a vital source of emotional and practical support across the many stages of family-building — from fertility assessment and IVF/ICSI treatment to donor conception or surrogacy and egg freezing. If you are considering counselling, know that seeking support is an act of care for your emotional and relational wellbeing.