Patient Support and Counselling

Undergoing fertility treatments can have a significant impact on your emotional well-being. We are committed to equipping our patients with resources to navigate the ups and downs of this process with peace of mind.

Patient Support Group

We provide a free monthly peer support group facilitated by a trained counsellor. The support group is open to anyone in the community experiencing primary infertility*. Patients are encouraged to attend with partners (if applicable) as well as on their own. Together, we create a safe and compassionate environment for people to talk about the experiences and emotions connected with infertility. No one is obliged to speak at these support groups, and many find comfort in simply being surrounded by others who care and understand.

The topics covered are based on the interests of participants and may include subjects such as grief, loss, jealousy, boundaries, support, marital relationships and intimacy, disclosing to family and friends, balancing work with fertility treatments and what to expect from the treatments such as IVF, egg or sperm donation and gestational surrogacy.

Participants are encouraged to sign up in advance. For more information or to sign up to receive notifications of upcoming groups, please email us at info@anovafertility.com.

*Primary infertility is defined as someone who is struggling to have their first child. While this group focuses on the needs of this population, we do also recognize the unique needs of those experiencing secondary infertility (struggling to have a baby after successfully having had one or more children previously). Our care team can provide you with a list of counsellors we recommend.

Third Party Reproduction Counselling and Assessment

Anova supports individuals, couples and families accessing assisted fertility options for reasons not solely limited to infertility. For example, those requiring gamete donation and/or gestational surrogacy due to relationship status, sexual orientation, gender identity etc.

Intended parent counselling sessions for third party reproduction are booked for 90 minutes. In this time the counsellor will discuss important topics that should be considered, including:

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Egg donors, known sperm donors and gestational surrogates must attend an assessment session before moving forward in their role to help others build a family. These third party reproduction assessments are booked for 90 minutes. In this time the counsellor helps donors and surrogates:

Additional fees for intended parent(s) counselling and donor/surrogate assessments apply and are paid for by the intended parent(s). Ask our Third Party Program team for current rates.

2023 Free Patient Support Group Schedule

Mar 1, 2023 6:00 PM ET
Apr 4, 2023 6:00 PM ET
May 3, 2023 6:00 PM ET
Jun 7, 2023 6:00 PM ET
Jul 5, 2023 6:00 PM ET
Aug 2, 2023 6:00 PM ET
Sep 6, 2023 6:00 PM ET
Oct 4, 2023 6:00 PM ET
Nov 1, 2023 6:00 PM ET
Dec 6, 2023 6:00 PM ET

General Counselling

Topics covered in a general individual or couples counselling session can include:
  • Managing common emotions with primary or secondary infertility, such as grief, loss, anger, jealousy, guilt, self-image, isolation etc.
  • Relationship issues, such as intimacy, sexuality, support, anger etc.
  • Stress-reduction techniques and coping strategies
  • Dealing with negative results
  • Coping with miscarriage or perinatal loss
  • Maintaining support networks and establishing boundaries
  • Decision-making regarding treatment options and next steps