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Care Fertility - Specialist Fertility counselling

FERTILITY COUNSELLING

Dealing with uncertainty and feeling slightly out of control are often two of the hardest things when you’re going through IVF. Read about the support you can access with Care Fertility.

Fertility counselling at Care Fertility

Emotional support from specialist fertility counsellors.

Fertility treatment can take up a lot of space in your life. It can affect how you feel, how you make decisions, how you manage relationships, and how you cope with uncertainty.

At Care Fertility, counselling is part of the care we offer. It is not an afterthought, and it is not only for moments when things feel difficult. It is a confidential space to talk, think, cry, question, process, or simply sit with someone who understands the emotional side of fertility treatment.

Our counselling team includes 16 counsellors, with 7 bank counsellors who help us offer flexible support across our clinics. Some of our counsellors are highly experienced in fertility counselling, while others are newer to this specialist area and supported as they build their fertility practice. Four of our counsellors are currently working towards accreditation, helping us continue to grow a strong, specialist counselling service for our patients.

Whether you are just starting to think about treatment, already going through IVF, using donor eggs or sperm, considering surrogacy, or dealing with difficult news, we are here to support you.

What fertility counselling can help with

Fertility counselling gives you time to talk about the things that can feel hard to say out loud.

You might want support with:

  • Feeling anxious, overwhelmed, low, or uncertain
  • Coping with the emotional ups and downs of IVF or fertility treatment
  • Making decisions about treatment options
  • Managing treatment as a couple
  • Going through treatment as a solo parent
  • Talking about donor eggs, donor sperm, donor embryos, or surrogacy
  • Processing pregnancy loss or unsuccessful treatment
  • Thinking about when to pause, continue, or stop treatment
  • Managing relationships with family, friends, or colleagues
  • Preparing for the two-week wait
  • Feeling more in control during a time that can feel unpredictable

You do not need to have the “right” words before you come to counselling. Some people arrive knowing exactly what they want to talk about. Others are not sure where to start. Both are completely okay.

Counselling before, during and after treatment

You can access counselling at different points in your fertility journey.

Some people find it helpful before treatment begins, especially when making decisions about IVF, donor conception, surrogacy, or genetic testing. Others come during treatment, when the appointments, medication, waiting and uncertainty start to feel like a lot. Some patients choose counselling after treatment, whether that is to process a positive result, an unsuccessful cycle, pregnancy loss, or the decision to take a different path.

Care Fertility offers counselling throughout your journey, and our current support information explains that patients can speak with our counselling team about their feelings, concerns and challenges during treatment.

Some of our treatment packages include counselling sessions. Depending on the package, this may include one counselling session or three counselling sessions. If you feel you need more support, additional counselling sessions are available.

Types of counselling we offer

Our counsellors are trained in a range of therapeutic approaches. You do not need to know which type is right for you before booking, your counsellor will work with you in a way that supports your needs. 

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Support counselling

Support counselling gives you space to talk about how you are feeling during treatment. It can help you process emotions, manage uncertainty, and feel less alone, whether you are starting IVF, waiting for results, or taking time to think. 

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Implications counselling

Implications counselling helps you think through decisions that may affect you and your family in the future. It is often used for donor conception, known donation or surrogacy, giving you time to understand the emotional and legal impact. 

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Counselling for partners

Counselling for partners and loved ones offers support for those close to you too. Your partner can attend a session or speak with a counsellor on their own, helping them process feelings, ask questions, and understand how to support you. 

Our counselling approaches

 Every person brings something different into the counselling room. That is why our team includes counsellors trained in different therapeutic approaches. 

Psychodynamic psychotherapy

Explores how past experiences, unconscious feelings and unresolved conflicts may shape how you feel, respond and relate to others today. 

Person-centred counselling

Focuses on you in the present, giving you space to explore your choices, sense of control, and personal strengths with support.

Cognitive behavioural therapy

Offers practical tools to notice thoughts and behaviours, challenge unhelpful patterns, and find different ways to respond when things feel hard.

Gestalt therapy

Helps you notice your thoughts, feelings and body sensations, so you can better understand what is happening for you in the moment.

Humanistic therapy

Supports self-discovery, confidence and personal growth, helping you understand your needs, values and choices in the present moment.

Integrative counselling

Combines different therapy approaches, allowing your counsellor to shape the session around what feels most useful and supportive to you.

What do BICA, BACP and UKCP mean?

You may see different letters after a counsellor’s name. These usually refer to professional bodies or accreditation routes. 

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BICA
BICA stands for the British Infertility Counselling Association. It is a specialist professional association for infertility and fertility counselling in the UK. BICA advises that if you want support with fertility issues, donor conception or involuntary childlessness, you may want to look for someone with BICA accredited membership 
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BACP
BACP stands for the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. It is one of the UK’s main professional bodies for counsellors and psychotherapists. BACP accreditation recognises high standards of knowledge, experience and development in counselling and psychotherapy. 
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UKCP
UKCP stands for the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy. It is a professional body for psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. UKCP is part of the Partnership of Counselling and Psychotherapy Bodies, a group of leading UK professional bodies with Professional Standards Authority accredited registers. 

What happens in a counselling session?

Your first session is a chance to talk about what is happening for you and what kind of support might help.

You do not need to prepare anything. You can talk about treatment, relationships, grief, uncertainty, decisions, anger, hope, fear, or anything else that feels important. Some people cry. Some people talk quickly because everything has been bottled up. Some people need a little time before the words come. Your counsellor will meet you where you are.

Counselling is confidential. There are only a few situations where your counsellor may need to share information, such as if there are concerns about the welfare of a child who may be born through treatment, or if there is a risk of harm to you or someone else. The current Care Fertility counselling page already explains these confidentiality exceptions clearly.

Meet our counsellors

Our counselling team brings together experienced fertility counsellors, psychotherapists and specialist practitioners from a range of professional backgrounds, including nursing, midwifery, psychology, bereavement care, trauma therapy, CBT, couples counselling and psychosexual therapy.

Each counsellor has their own areas of experience, but they all share the same goal, to offer a safe, confidential space where you can talk openly and feel supported through your fertility journey.

Whether you are preparing for treatment, using donor eggs or sperm, considering surrogacy, navigating uncertainty, coping with loss, or simply feeling like it’s all a bit much, our counsellors are here to listen and help you find a way through.

You do not need to know what kind of counselling you need before getting in touch. We will help guide you towards the right support for you.

 

Dee Durham
Dee Durham
Dee is an accredited psychotherapist and fertility counsellor with a nursing background in oncology and end-of-life care. She uses CBT and mindfulness to help patients build coping tools during treatment. 
Adele King
Adele King
 Adele is a fertility counsellor with a special interest in fertility and ethnic diversity. As a trauma-informed practitioner, she supports individuals, couples and groups with calm, compassionate care. 
Pamela Mather
Pamela Mather
Pamela has worked as a fertility counsellor for over 20 years, supporting individuals and couples in private and NHS settings. She brings strong experience in mental health, relationships and couples work. 
Yvonne Shelmerdine
Yvonne Shelmerdine
Yvonne qualified as a counsellor over 25 years ago and has worked with Care Fertility for more than 10 years. Her experience includes fertility counselling and support for children and young people.
Louise Russell
Louise Russell
Louise is an integrative therapist with specialist training in perinatal loss, fertility and trauma. She also manages bereavement services in an NHS hospital and supports couples through difficult moments. 
Jennifer Chilcott
Jennifer Chilcott
Jennifer is a person-centred and integrative fertility counsellor. She supports patients in the way that works best for them, using mindfulness to help with anxiety, depression, stress and uncertainty. 
Hannah Kimberlin
Hannah Kimberlin
Hannah is a BACP and BICA accredited counsellor with 15 years’ experience. She has specialist training in trauma, neurodiversity, domestic abuse, sexual assault, couples work and complex relationships. 
Adrienne Eyre
Adrienne Eyre
Adrienne is an experienced person-centred counsellor and psychotherapist with many years in fertility care. She has a special interest in helping couples navigate treatment and relationship challenges.
Kate Linton
Kate Linton
Kate is an integrative counsellor with more than 30 years’ experience across the NHS, local councils and employee support. She has further training in CBT, relationships, grief, loss and adoption.
Gill Aldridge
Gill Aldridge
Gill is an integrative psychotherapist and counsellor with training in couples, psychosexual, fertility and trauma therapy. She supports patients through infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth and relationship challenges.
Marianna Seppe
Marianna Seppe
Marianna is a qualified counsellor and cognitive behavioural psychotherapist. She combines evidence-based CBT with a holistic approach, helping patients manage distress and reconnect with self-compassion. 
Mairi Smith
Mairi Smith
Mairi is a qualified counsellor and clinical supervisor, accredited with BACP. Her work focuses on secondary infertility, alongside teaching counselling and supporting online fertility support groups. 
Rosanne Joseph-Horne
Rosanne Joseph-Horne
Rosanne is an accredited BACP and BICA counsellor with a background in midwifery and fertility nursing. She offers compassionate support using humanistic counselling, CBT and integrative therapy. 
Nicola Sessions
Nicola Sessions
Nicola is a humanistic counsellor and has worked with Care Fertility for eight years. She has a special interest in supporting patients with chronic health conditions, relationships and couples counselling.
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Ruth Lancaster
Ruth is a highly experienced fertility counsellor with 25 years in the field. She works on a bank basis and brings deep experience in supporting patients, couples and relationship challenges. 
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Anna Urbanska
Anna is an accredited BACP counsellor and has worked with Care Fertility for many years. She supports patients through treatment and works closely with the genetics team to offer specialist counselling.

How to book counselling at Care Fertility

You can book counselling through your clinic team.

Our counsellors have set appointment times, but we understand that fertility treatment does not always fit neatly around life. If you need a session urgently, can only do certain times, or want to book counselling around a particular stage of treatment, we will do our best to help.

You can speak to your clinic reception team or contact us through your companion app.

Counselling as part of your treatment package

Some Care Fertility treatment packages include counselling sessions as part of your care.

Depending on your package, you may have one counselling session included, or three counselling sessions included. If you need more time with a counsellor, you can book additional sessions.

You do not have to wait until you feel overwhelmed to use counselling. Many patients find it helpful to talk things through early, so they feel more prepared for the decisions and emotions that can come with treatment.

Frequently asked questions

What is fertility counselling?

Fertility counselling is specialist emotional support for people going through, considering, or recovering from fertility treatment. It gives you a confidential space to talk about how you are feeling, explore treatment decisions, and get support from someone who understands the emotional side of fertility care. 
Do I need counselling during IVF?

You do not have to have counselling during IVF unless it is required for your treatment pathway, such as donor conception or surrogacy. Many people still find counselling helpful during IVF because treatment can bring uncertainty, stress, relationship pressure and difficult waiting periods. 
Is fertility counselling confidential?

Yes, fertility counselling is confidential. There are limited exceptions, for example if there is a concern about your safety, someone else’s safety, or the welfare of a child who may be born through treatment. Your counsellor will explain this clearly.

What is implications counselling?

Implications counselling helps you understand the emotional, legal, ethical and family implications of treatment decisions. It is often used before donor conception, known donation or surrogacy, so everyone involved has time to think through what treatment could mean now and in the future. 
Is counselling required for donor conception?

Counselling is strongly recommended, and often required by clinics, before donor egg, donor sperm, donor embryo, known donation or surrogacy treatment. It helps you understand the implications of treatment and gives you space to ask questions before giving consent. 
Can my partner come to fertility counselling?

Yes, your partner can attend counselling with you, or they can speak with a counsellor on their own. Fertility treatment affects partners too, and counselling can help you talk things through together or support each person separately. 
Can I have counselling if I am doing fertility treatment alone? Yes. Solo fertility treatment can bring its own questions, decisions and emotions. Counselling can give you space to talk about treatment, donor conception, support networks, future conversations with your child, and how you are feeling.
What types of counselling does Care Fertility offer? Care Fertility counsellors work across several approaches, including psychodynamic psychotherapy, person-centred counselling, Gestalt therapy, humanistic therapy, integrative counselling and CBT. You do not need to choose an approach yourself, your counsellor will work with you in a way that supports your needs.
What is CBT in fertility counselling? CBT, or cognitive behavioural therapy, is a structured form of therapy that helps you notice patterns in your thoughts and behaviours. It can offer practical tools for managing worry, negative thinking, stress and uncertainty during fertility treatment.
What is person-centred counselling? Person-centred counselling focuses on you, your experiences and your choices. It gives you space to talk openly, understand what matters to you, and feel more in control of your next steps. 
What is psychodynamic psychotherapy? Psychodynamic psychotherapy explores how past experiences, unconscious feelings and unresolved conflicts may affect how you feel and respond in the present. It can be helpful when fertility treatment brings up deeper emotions or long-standing patterns. 
What do BICA, BACP and UKCP mean? BICA, BACP and UKCP are professional bodies connected to counselling and psychotherapy. BICA specialises in fertility counselling, while BACP and UKCP set wider professional standards for counsellors and psychotherapists in the UK. 
Are Care Fertility counsellors fertility specialists? Care Fertility has a counselling team with specialist experience in fertility care. The team includes counsellors with different levels of fertility experience, including those who are established in fertility counselling and those developing within this specialist area under appropriate support. 
How many counselling sessions do I get with Care Fertility? Some Care Fertility treatment packages include counselling sessions. Depending on your package, you may have one session included, or three sessions included. Additional counselling sessions are available if you need more support. 
Can I book extra counselling sessions? Yes. If your package includes counselling and you feel you need more support, you can book additional sessions. You can also ask your clinic team about counselling even if you are not sure what kind of support you need yet. 
When should I book fertility counselling? You can book fertility counselling before, during or after treatment. Some people book early to feel prepared, while others reach out during treatment, after difficult news, during the two-week wait, or after an unsuccessful cycle. 
Can counselling help after miscarriage or pregnancy loss? Yes. Counselling can support you after miscarriage, pregnancy loss or unsuccessful treatment. It gives you space to process grief, shock, anger, guilt, uncertainty, or any other feelings that come up. 
Can counselling help during the two-week wait? Yes. The two-week wait can feel emotionally intense. Counselling can help you manage uncertainty, talk through fears, and find ways to cope while you are waiting for your pregnancy test result. 
How do I book counselling at Care Fertility? You can ask your clinic team about counselling or contact us through your companion app. Your team will explain availability, whether sessions are included in your package, and how to book additional support if you need it.