Counselling at Melbourne IVF
Mandatory Pre-treatment counselling Counselling is a legislative requirement in Victoria for all people (including your partner) prior to commencing any fertility treatment. Commencing assisted reproductive treatment often means experiencing a mixture of emotions, from joy and excitement to grief and disappointment. For many people this can be a very difficult and stressful time. The counsellors at Melbourne IVF are social workers and psychologists who bring a diverse range of skills, expertise and experience to the work we undertake with individuals and couples in managing the emotional impact of dealing with fertility issues. Counsellors provide a comprehensive and confidential counselling service to help recognise and cope with the challenges that may arise throughout treatment. Counsellors are available at all Melbourne IVF Clinics before, during and after your fertility treatment; whenever you feel you need further support. Services include: Mandatory Pre-treatment Counselling, Supportive Counselling, Donor and Surrogacy Counselling, and Support Groups. The session aims to assist you in considering all of the social, psychological, physical and ethical implications of treatment. For many individuals and couples, this is the first time they have had an opportunity to discuss the impact of their infertility and how they are feeling about embarking on treatment. In your initial session with a counsellor, the following topics will be explored: Your experience of infertility to date and how you came to the decision to start treatment; Your diagnosis and the impact of this, your preparedness for starting IVF and consideration of how you may feel should your treatment not result in a pregnancy; How to manage the potential emotional and physical impact of treatment alongside work and other commitments. Your relationship with and expectations of support from those most significant to you including family, friends and work colleagues. Any other issues or concerns related to your treatment. At the end of your counselling session, your counsellor will ask you whether you are now ready to consent to treatment. The counsellor will read through a consent form with you which outlines a number of legislative requirements and implications related to your treatment, creating, storing and decisionmaking regarding your embryos, and your responsibilities as a patient of Melbourne IVF. There will also be some questions for you to consider including: happen to gametes (eggs or sperm) that do not fertilise; The implications of creating excess embryos from your treatment; and happen to your embryos in the event of death of either partner. There are additional areas relevant to donor and surrogacy arrangements that are covered in these mandatory counselling sessions. Supportive Counselling Supportive counselling can be accessed by patients and their family by appointment at any time during treatment. Supportive counselling involves meeting with a counsellor for an hour appointment. It may be a one off meeting or part of ongoing contact that is negotiated between the counsellor and patient or couple. People access supportive counselling for many reasons and issues including; Preparing for fertility treatments; Exploration and reaching decisions about commencing, changing or finishing treatment; Coping with particular challenges associated with treatment including unsuccessful treatment cycles or pregnancy losses; Exploring strategies to help understand and manage emotions during treatment; Assisting with the impact of uncomfortable and difficult reactions including depression and anxiety; Dealing with changes in significant relationships including those with family and friends; Managing work and social situations; and Dealing with the emotional impact of pregnancy and preparation for parenthood. There is no fee to access supportive counselling services whilst in a treatment cycle. However a fee is charged for supportive counselling sessions when not in a current treatment cycle. This would be discussed with you when booking an appointment with the Patient Liaison Administrator.
Mandatory Pre-treatment counselling Counselling is a legislative requirement in Victoria for all people (including your partner) prior to commencing any fertility treatment. Commencing assisted reproductive treatment often means experiencing a mixture of emotions, from joy and excitement to grief and disappointment. For many people this can be a very difficult and stressful time. The counsellors at Melbourne IVF are social workers and psychologists who bring a diverse range of skills, expertise and experience to the work we undertake with individuals and couples in managing the emotional impact of dealing with fertility issues. Counsellors provide a comprehensive and confidential counselling service to help recognise and cope with the challenges that may arise throughout treatment. Counsellors are available at all Melbourne IVF Clinics before, during and after your fertility treatment; whenever you feel you need further support. Services include: Mandatory Pre-treatment Counselling, Supportive Counselling, Donor and Surrogacy Counselling, and Support Groups. The session aims to assist you in considering all of the social, psychological, physical and ethical implications of treatment. For many individuals and couples, this is the first time they have had an opportunity to discuss the impact of their infertility and how they are feeling about embarking on treatment. In your initial session with a counsellor, the following topics will be explored: Your experience of infertility to date and how you came to the decision to start treatment; Your diagnosis and the impact of this, your preparedness for starting IVF and consideration of how you may feel should your treatment not result in a pregnancy; How to manage the potential emotional and physical impact of treatment alongside work and other commitments. Your relationship with and expectations of support from those most significant to you including family, friends and work colleagues. Any other issues or concerns related to your treatment. At the end of your counselling session, your counsellor will ask you whether you are now ready to consent to treatment. The counsellor will read through a consent form with you which outlines a number of legislative requirements and implications related to your treatment, creating, storing and decisionmaking regarding your embryos, and your responsibilities as a patient of Melbourne IVF. There will also be some questions for you to consider including: happen to gametes (eggs or sperm) that do not fertilise; The implications of creating excess embryos from your treatment; and happen to your embryos in the event of death of either partner. There are additional areas relevant to donor and surrogacy arrangements that are covered in these mandatory counselling sessions. Supportive Counselling Supportive counselling can be accessed by patients and their family by appointment at any time during treatment. Supportive counselling involves meeting with a counsellor for an hour appointment. It may be a one off meeting or part of ongoing contact that is negotiated between the counsellor and patient or couple. People access supportive counselling for many reasons and issues including; Preparing for fertility treatments; Exploration and reaching decisions about commencing, changing or finishing treatment; Coping with particular challenges associated with treatment including unsuccessful treatment cycles or pregnancy losses; Exploring strategies to help understand and manage emotions during treatment; Assisting with the impact of uncomfortable and difficult reactions including depression and anxiety; Dealing with changes in significant relationships including those with family and friends; Managing work and social situations; and Dealing with the emotional impact of pregnancy and preparation for parenthood. There is no fee to access supportive counselling services whilst in a treatment cycle. However a fee is charged for supportive counselling sessions when not in a current treatment cycle. This would be discussed with you when booking an appointment with the Patient Liaison Administrator.
Mandatory Pre-treatment counselling Counselling is a legislative requirement in Victoria for all people (including your partner) prior to commencing any fertility treatment. Commencing assisted reproductive treatment often means experiencing a mixture of emotions, from joy and excitement to grief and disappointment. For many people this can be a very difficult and stressful time. The counsellors at Melbourne IVF are social workers and psychologists who bring a diverse range of skills, expertise and experience to the work we undertake with individuals and couples in managing the emotional impact of dealing with fertility issues. Counsellors provide a comprehensive and confidential counselling service to help recognise and cope with the challenges that may arise throughout treatment. Counsellors are available at all Melbourne IVF Clinics before, during and after your fertility treatment; whenever you feel you need further support. Services include: Mandatory Pre-treatment Counselling, Supportive Counselling, Donor and Surrogacy Counselling, and Support Groups. The session aims to assist you in considering all of the social, psychological, physical and ethical implications of treatment. For many individuals and couples, this is the first time they have had an opportunity to discuss the impact of their infertility and how they are feeling about embarking on treatment. In your initial session with a counsellor, the following topics will be explored: Your experience of infertility to date and how you came to the decision to start treatment; Your diagnosis and the impact of this, your preparedness for starting IVF and consideration of how you may feel should your treatment not result in a pregnancy; How to manage the potential emotional and physical impact of treatment alongside work and other commitments. Your relationship with and expectations of support from those most significant to you including family, friends and work colleagues. Any other issues or concerns related to your treatment. At the end of your counselling session, your counsellor will ask you whether you are now ready to consent to treatment. The counsellor will read through a consent form with you which outlines a number of legislative requirements and implications related to your treatment, creating, storing and decisionmaking regarding your embryos, and your responsibilities as a patient of Melbourne IVF. There will also be some questions for you to consider including: happen to gametes (eggs or sperm) that do not fertilise; The implications of creating excess embryos from your treatment; and happen to your embryos in the event of death of either partner. There are additional areas relevant to donor and surrogacy arrangements that are covered in these mandatory counselling sessions. Supportive Counselling Supportive counselling can be accessed by patients and their family by appointment at any time during treatment. Supportive counselling involves meeting with a counsellor for an hour appointment. It may be a one off meeting or part of ongoing contact that is negotiated between the counsellor and patient or couple. People access supportive counselling for many reasons and issues including; Preparing for fertility treatments; Exploration and reaching decisions about commencing, changing or finishing treatment; Coping with particular challenges associated with treatment including unsuccessful treatment cycles or pregnancy losses; Exploring strategies to help understand and manage emotions during treatment; Assisting with the impact of uncomfortable and difficult reactions including depression and anxiety; Dealing with changes in significant relationships including those with family and friends; Managing work and social situations; and Dealing with the emotional impact of pregnancy and preparation for parenthood. There is no fee to access supportive counselling services whilst in a treatment cycle. However a fee is charged for supportive counselling sessions when not in a current treatment cycle. This would be discussed with you when booking an appointment with the Patient Liaison Administrator.
Management of Personal Information Melbourne IVF counsellors manage your personal health information in accordance with the Melbourne IVF Privacy Policy. (A copy of the Melbourne IVF Privacy Policy can be found online at mivf.com.au/privacy-policy). Your counsellor may discuss information relevant to your treatment with other members of the Melbourne IVF multidisciplinary team to ensure a coordinated approach to your care. All other information discussed with your counsellor will remain confidential except in the following circumstances where we may be required to share information to third parties: Where there are serious concerns about how treatment may impact on your physical or mental health; You are at risk of seriously harming yourself or others; Your personal circumstances have changed in such a way that this impacts significantly on your participation in treatment eg your relationship status changes; Wherever possible we will discuss any disclosure of your personal information with you first. In accordance with professional requirements, counselling staff maintain confidential notes on the Melbourne IVF Patient System (MPS) to ensure we provide patients the most relevant and informed service possible. Counselling staff and limited senior staff are able to access these session notes but only if required. Feedback We welcome and encourage feedback. We encourage you to initially talk to your counsellor and you may also wish to give feedback to our Counsellor Manager on (03) 9473 4444 or the Patient Liaison Coordinator on (03) 9473 4444. If you prefer to provide written feedback, you may wish to complete a Compliments, Concerns and Complaints card available in our clinics or email us at feedback@mivf.com.au. If you are interested in talking to others in similar situations, there are a variety of support groups and programs available. Visit mivf.com.au for a list of current groups and dates. You become involved in a serious or criminal matter where you or others may be at risk; Your file is subpoenaed in a court of law.
More information Melbourne IVF has one of the most comprehensive specialised fertility counselling services in Australia. Counselling is available at any stage before, during, and after treatment and is available at all Melbourne IVF clinics in and around Melbourne. Contact the Patient Liaison Administrator team on (03) 9473 4444 to organise an appointment. PI-COU-0010.3 23OCTOBER2013 mivf.com.au New General Enquiries 1800 111 IVF (483) Reception (03) 9473 4444