As individuals, we each face struggles and hardships that we are trying to make sense of or cope with. If we are able to reframe this process, view our evolution as a story of growth and development, followed by crisis, followed by breakdown, followed by a rebirth – as a continuous cycle during the course of our lives – we may begin to understand that perhaps profound change only happens through collapse. Often the desire to change may rise from a wake-up call, a series of wake-up calls or believing that we have reached rock-bottom. Often during these moments we may feel powerful emotions that we believe no one to understand, we may not know where to begin in terms of creating change. Seeking professional support through individual therapy may be the step needed to initiate change, to feel supported, guided and less alone on your journey of struggle and hardship. A therapist can work collaboratively and be alongside you on your journey as you face crises and difficulties that you may be finding difficult coming to terms with, enable you to express and process difficult emotions and help you explore possibilities and options in ways to take steps forward.

Dealing with fertility and gynaecological concerns appear to be issues that do not affect the majority of the population, leaving us feeling alone, misunderstood and disconnected from family, friends and the wider society. This may cause us to suffer in silence each day, recognising that something isn’t quite right, but feeling stuck and not knowing how to begin to take a step forward. A therapist can help you explore and come to terms with issues such as infertility, assessing fertility options (IVF, surrogacy, donors or adoption), pregnancy-related issues (pregnancy loss, high-risk pregnancies or birth trauma), exploring a “child-free” or “child-less” lifestyle, considering a termination, coping with medical issues such as endometriosis or adenomyosis, and dealing with erectile dysfunction, as well as other fertility-related concerns.

Speaking with a professional with specialist knowledge in these areas may help you to feel less alone, to express powerful, painful or difficult thoughts and feelings in a safe and confidential space. Your thoughts and feelings will be validated and normalised – leading you to feel heard and understood in a way that you may not have experienced in relation to your fertility concerns. Experiencing one to one fertility counselling or therapy may allow you to face your concerns head on, working collaboratively with a therapist to guide your treatment –  with the intention of improving your mental and emotional wellbeing and improving your relationship with your self and others. Engaging in infertility and fertility psychotherapy can be the most effective step forward in processing psychological and emotional injury as a result of fertility and gynaecological issues.

Managing the many complex, unpredictable and potentially devastating fertility treatments and outcomes is understandably, unimaginably difficult and having the option to speak with a fertility therapist who holds the required knowledge and understanding may allow you to confront your options in an open, empathic and comforting space.

By getting in touch for a free initial consultation, a therapist can assess your needs for support and collaborate with you to establish what may work best for you. If you are unsure of whether or not therapy is for you, an initial consultation will allow you ask any questions or address any concerns you may have in potentially beginning therapy. Individual therapy may take place on a short-term basis to address a particular concern, on a longer-term basis to address a deep-rooted concern or if you are unsure and have not experienced therapy beforehand, an open-ended approach may be more suitable. From the outset, the therapist will engage in a collaborative way in which you feel comfortable with proceeding with, as it is crucial that you feel empowered in your treatment.

If you’re finding yourself struggling and feeling stuck in how to move forward, if you’re finding fertility or gynaecological concerns to be consuming your thoughts more and more and you’re feeling affected emotionally and behaviourally – reach out today via our ‘Contact Us’ tab and take the first step in your journey towards healing.