We offer an independent counselling service and provide access to a variety of support groups. We are also happy to advise on where you can look for reliable information to help you make the right decisions during your treatment. The counselling service is flexible, designed to support you when you need it most.
We may suggest counselling if you are experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, issues with planning treatment, inability to cope with treatment, sexual problems related to your treatment, bereavement and end of treatment issues.
We provide implications counselling if you are using, or considering using donated sperm, gametes or embryos. This service is specially designed to help you come to terms with the personal and legal issues which may arise from these treatments.
If you are concerned that you may pass on an inherited condition, we will refer you to the genetics department at Cambridge University Hospitals. CUH is the East of England centre of excellence in this area. Their services are covered by the NHS.
How to access counselling
The team at Cambridge IVF will help put you in touch with our counselling service. If you feel you need help, you can phone us, or discuss this with us face to face. You can also contact the counselling service directly – we will give you access to the details when you start your treatment with us.
You will be seen as soon as possible, always within two weeks. In urgent situations you may be seen within 24 hours. The counselling service operates between Monday and Friday but we offer an out of hours service in the evening or on Saturday mornings if you find it difficult to attend during work hours.
If you find yourself in an emergency situation, please call us. Where possible we will offer support over the phone.
If you feel you would benefit from cognitive behaviour therapy, please discuss this with your GP. You can also contact the British Infertility Counselling Association (opens in a new tab) (BICA), or the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (opens in a new tab) (BACP).