Patient counselling service and support
The experience of trying to conceive a pregnancy and become a parent can be all consuming and there is considerable evidence of the unique nature of the stress and sense of loss felt by people experiencing fertility difficulty.
This is not always well understood or acknowledged by others.
We recognise that the decision to pursue fertility treatment can be an emotive and difficult one. It is our goal to guide and support you through the highs and the lows.
Our counsellors, Brooke Calo and Julie Potts, are available free of charge and in total confidence throughout your journey with Fertility SA.
They are here to help you weather the emotional storms associated with treatment, to help with pre-treatment planning, or to talk to you about any other concerns you might have.
Fertility can affect all areas of your life.
Counselling can offer the opportunity to consider how you are feeling, identify areas causing distress and consider strategies that may be useful for you.
Sometimes just being able to talk and have this heard, validated and normalised, is all that is needed.
Asking for support is not a sign of weakness. It can be useful when your usual support avenues are not as accessible to you or you have not shared your journey with others.
Our counsellors support you at key points throughout your fertility treatment, recommend stress relief strategies, and help you navigate the sometimes complex decisions that arise in treatment. It can be a huge relief to talk to someone who fully understands the ups and downs associated with infertility, as well as the unique aspects of your treatment, and dealing with pregnancy loss.
For more information about how FertilitySA can support you, call 08 8100 2900.
Patient service
Fertility SA patients who are accessing assisted reproductive treatments or planning for treatments can access the counselling service free of charge on an as needs basis, as part of their decision making and during treatment for emotional support, crisis counselling and therapeutic counselling.
You can meet a counsellor in person, by phone or via zoom/skype.
Emergency support
If you are in an emergency or at immediate risk of harm to yourself/others please contact emergency services on 000.
Emergency Departments located at St Andrews Hospital or Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) or your local Hospital Emergency Department can provide immediate attention from mental health services.
Counselling service
Our counsellors have tertiary qualifications and are members of ANZICA (Australian and New Zealand Infertility Counsellors Association). An appointment is necessary and can be arranged via our team. Counsellors can assist with referral pathways for people wishing to see a counsellor independent of the unit or when they have a need to access a specialised service for additional wellbeing needs.
Implications counselling
Implications counselling for people participating in donor conception is a mandatory process for both recipients and potential donors and is scheduled as part of treatment planning. It offers the opportunity to ensure all parties understand the possible complexities and consequences of treatment for themselves, their relationships, their family and any potential child.
Crisis counselling
Fertility SA’s counsellors are able to respond in a timely way in event of urgent or crisis need. However, while this may not be immediate, the counsellor will ensure a response is prioritised. That said, there may be times when a counsellor is on leave or is not on an allocated work day, where a response may not be as timely as required and for these situations we have recommended some emergency/crisis options.
Crisis support
Mental Health Triage
Ph. 13 14 65
24/7
Beyond Blue
Ph. 1300 22 4636
24/7
Lifeline
Ph. 13 11 14
24/7
Suicide Call Back Service
Ph. 1300 659 467
24/7