The Regional Fertility Centre provides a professional counselling service free of charge to all its patients. You can see the counsellors as often as you need, as a couple or as an individual in a relaxed environment specifically designed to aide relaxation and calmness. This can be arranged at a time to suit you.
The counselling service within the RFC is provided by the Fertility Counselling Service Northern Ireland.
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Why counselling?
Having a baby is a major life-changing event for any couple or individual. When you become aware that your plans to start a family may be delayed, that medical intervention may have to be considered or that medical options have run out it can feel like a major life crisis, as though your world has collapsed.
People often speak of a range of feelings when discussing the emotional experience of infertility, such as:
- Anxiety
- Anger
- Sadness
- Guilt
- Devastation
- Despair
Investigations and treatment may also bring up difficult experiences from the past, which may impact upon how you deal with present challenges.
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How can counselling help?
Many people manage well with problems which arise in life by talking with relatives and friends. It may be difficult for people who have their own children who usually support you to understand the powerful emotions that can accompany the experience of infertility.
Fertility Counsellors have specialist knowledge and experience to help you take care of yourself at this difficult stage of life.
The counsellor can help you:
- Talk freely without being judged
- Understand your reactions and ways of coping
- Make sense of your thoughts and feelings
- Improve communication with your partner
- Identify choices and make decisions about treatment options
- Manage the uncertainties of treatment
- Live with loss and change
- About the Counsellors
Professionally trained Fertility Counsellors work in accordance with the standards and ethics of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Respecting your confidentiality is central to their practice. Your confidentiality will be protected unless you wish us to share information with others or there is a risk to a child or adult’s safety.
Remember – talking to a Fertility Counsellor is about taking positive steps to take care of yourself.
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When can I see a counsellor?
Fertility counselling is available to you before; during or after you embark on investigations or treatment.
You can attend by yourself; or you may wish to attend as a couple. Each appointment lasts for an hour. During your appointment, you can discuss with your counsellor arrangements for further appointments.
How to contact the Fertility Counselling Service
To make further enquiries about the Fertility Counselling Service or to make an appointment, simply telephone 028 9073 6081.
Most appointments take place at their premises:
Ground Floor
2 Pilot’s View
Heron Road
Belfast
BT3 9LE