Fertility Counselling is counselling to specifically discuss fertility issues. You may:

• be worried about your or someone else’s fertility
• be struggling to conceive
• be considering, or referred for, fertility treatment (as an individual or couple)
• be undergoing fertility treatment
• have had fertililty treatment in the past
• have been refused fertility treatment
• be affected by fertility in another way

Fertility challenges are like a bereavement. They are the loss of the life which you imagined you’d have.

If you jump though enough hoops and undergo fertility treatment, the hormones can make you feel like you’ve lost even more control.

If it works and you are pregnant, there is often a worry of it being ‘too good to be true’. If if doesn’t work, it’s yet another loss.

If your age, bmi or something else prevents you from being accepted for fertility treatment, this can feel like another huge loss.

Fertility difficulties are upsetting and stressful, and can put strain on relationships. It may be frustrating if you feel your partner doesn’t understand how you feel.

You may wish to start a fertility journey without a partner, and feel daunted at the thought.

You may have tried fertility treatment, and are in the position of choosing whether to try again, adopt, or, live your life without being a parent. These can be stressful, sometimes heartbreaking, and often liberating decisions.

Fertility Counselling can be accessed by individuals or couples.

Which is right for you will depend on your personal circumstances.

If you wish to explore your feelings around your own (or your partner’s) fertility challenges, it is usual to attend individually. However, there may be times when attending with your partner is helpful.

If fertility stress is causing difficulties within your replationship, you may wish to attend together.

If you have decisions to make regarding fertility options, and feel you could benefit from exploring the options with a specialist Counsellor, then attending together would be most useful.

Alison Barr (Director of The Green Rooms) is the only practitioner who offers Fertility Counselling.

Alison has a Masters Degree, 2005 (and also a Post Graduate Diploma, 2003) of Counselling and Psychotherapy from the University of Strathclyde.

Alison has been working full time as a Counsellor and Psychotherapist since 2003.

Alison has specialist experience with fertility, and also adoption.

Alison is a ‘Counselling Supervisor’, which means that she has an advanced qualification and supports other Counsellors and Psychotherapists with their clients.

The number of sessions needed is unique to each client and will depend on your goals, how you use your time between sessions and how much support you have out-with therapy.

Even with limited time or finances, realistic goals can still be achieved.