BACKGROUND

Over 50,000 people go through fertility treatment in the UK every year.

 

The experience can be very challenging, and licensed fertility clinics are required by law to offer an opportunity for professional counselling. Less than half of patients take up counselling, and there is little academic research undertaken with those who do request counselling.

 

Current research tells us that generally people find counselling helpful, particularly when it is focused on emotional support. A deeper, more detailed understanding could inform how counsellors work with clients, how clinics offer counselling, or help other women considering counselling as part of their own treatment.

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This research aims to understand women’s personal experiences of the counselling offered as part of their fertility treatment. It will identify themes including what participants felt was significant within the counselling process. The research is interested in counselling which includes emotional support.

 

The project is a requirement for the researcher to pass the MSc Counselling and Psychotherapy (Professional Practice) at the University of Salford.