Infertility Psychosocial Counselling Service

1. Background

Assisted reproduction is always considered physically and emotionally demanding. Individuals and couples may experience a wide range of psychosocial distress over the course of treatment, such as anxiety, stress, anger, depression, guilt, frustration, sense of loss, etc. Evidence shows that psychosocial intervention can enhance one’s physical and psychosocial well-being.

The psychosocial counselling service for infertile couples in our centre was established in 2001. Experienced counsellors provide counselling supports to individuals or couples undergoing various types of assisted reproduction. The service adopts a holistic approach for the promotion and betterment of mental, emotional and behavioural welfare of individuals or couples.

Psychosocial counselling is offered independent of the clinical decision-making process and information obtained during counselling would be kept confidential.

2. Counseling Service

Psychosocial assessment, counselling support and marital therapy will be provided by registered social worker(s) in Hong Kong.

2.1. Psychosocial evaluation

Third-party reproduction such as use of donor eggs and sperm is a recognised method to enable infertile couples with no eggs or sperm to conceive.2.1.1. Psychosocial evaluation for donor assisted reproduction will be provided for:

  • Potential couple who receives donated gametes or embryos
  • Potential gamete or embryo donor and the spouse

*Psychosocial evaluation report will be generated after the interview with different concerned parties

2.1.2. Fee-charging: Please contact our service for more information.

2.2. Psycho-social counselling

2.2.1 Scope of service

  • Psychotherapy for individual or couple
    This aims to give emotional support at times of particular stress along the fertility path, and to help people cope with the consequences of infertility and treatment, and to help them to resolve the problems such as:
    ▪ Psychological distress such as depression and anxiety
    ▪ Failed fertility treatments or treatment termination
    ▪ Pregnancy loss such as miscarriage and stillbirth
    ▪ Marital and family relationship issues
  • Group therapy
    Through group therapy, those with emotional distress arising from the treatment can process their emotions and gain mutual understanding from the peer sharing.
  • Health and mental health education programme
    It aims at alleviating their anxiety arising from treatment and enhancing their well-being through a series of mind-body activities such as yoga class, exercise workshop and nutrition webinar.
  • Pre-IVF treatment webinar with social worker and nurse
    A successful fertility journey necessitates careful preparation. Our online webinar provides insights on psychosocial preparation, important considerations before treatment, and guidance on how partners can support each other.

2.2.2. Fee-charging: Please contact our service for more information.

3. Contact Information

Counsellor-in-charge: Ms. KWAN (Medical social worker)
Email: ivfcoun@hku.hk
Note:

a. All clients are required to sign consent form at the beginning of intake session.

b. All case recording will be used for counselling purpose. The information collected will not be disclosed to other parties other than authorised medical professionals.

c. The case recording will be stored in respective hospitals with the compliance of Private Data Ordinance.

d. Referral to other qualified professionals will be made when necessary, such as psychiatrist, sex therapist etc