Helping you navigate the challenges of infertility, pregnancy loss and uncertainties of IVF treatment
Listen to my recent interview on BBC Radio York
Read my article on p56
Read my article on p56
Is this you?
You’ve faced fertility challenges, whether it’s unexplained infertility, pregnancy loss, or undergoing fertility treatments.
You have a supportive partner, but you still feel like the weight of this journey is on your shoulders, leaving you feeling isolated or resentful. It feels like your issue to fix, and that sense of unfairness is hard to shake.
You’re stuck in a cycle of uncertainty and doubt about the future, even though you’re doing your best to stay outwardly positive.
You put on a brave face, even when your heart feels like it’s breaking.
Every pregnancy announcement on social media feels like a punch in the stomach, and all you want to do is hide under a duvet.
You’ve thrown everything at it – from fertility specialists and treatments to acupuncture, reflexology, and nutrition – yet the emotional toll is overwhelming.
You’re emotionally drained, feeling overwhelmed by it all.
Are you feeling like you’ve done everything ‘right’ in life? Built your career, found the perfect partner, waited for the right time to start your family – only to find what should be a straightforward process is anything but?
Perhaps you’re experiencing the silent heartbreak of negative pregnancy tests month after month. Maybe you’ve endured the devastating loss of a pregnancy. Or you might be facing medical challenges that make IVF or other fertility treatments your only path forward.
I See You. I Understand You. I’ve Been There.
While friends and family around you seem to conceive effortlessly, you’re left feeling triggered, isolated, and like you’re being left behind. The emotions can be overwhelming:
- Jealousy when another pregnancy announcement appears on social media
- Anger that your body seems to be betraying you
- Shame and a sense of failure that something “natural” isn’t happening for you
- Guilt for having these emotions in the first place
- Obsession with tracking, timing, and researching every possible solution
You may find yourself wondering what you did wrong to deserve this struggle, feeling like your entire identity and happiness have become wrapped up in having a baby.
Your Guide Through Infertility’s Emotional Landscape
Having navigated this challenging path personally before becoming a fertility counsellor, I offer something unique – compassionate guidance from someone who truly understands both sides of the fertility journey.
My approach combines professional counselling expertise with personal IVF experience, helping you:
- Reconnect with your inner wisdom and rebuild trust in your body
- Develop emotional regulation strategies specific to fertility challenges
- Navigate both the medical and emotional aspects of treatment
- Find your voice and confidence in medical settings
- Build resilience while honouring your grief
Reclaim Your Confidence, Hope, and Sense of Self
Through our work together, you’ll move from emotional overwhelm to clarity and self-compassion. You’ll learn to set boundaries, communicate your needs, and find joy even amid uncertainty.
You don’t have to face your fertility journey alone. Let me guide you through each step with compassion, understanding, and practical support from someone who has walked this path before.
Ready to reconnect with your inner wisdom and navigate your fertility journey with renewed confidence? Book your free discovery call today but completing the ‘contact me’ form.
A bit about me
My fertility journey was not the picture-perfect experience I imagined. There were times when I felt like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. I had been swept away from the familiar world I knew and thrust into an unfamiliar and surreal place, where nothing made sense, and everything seemed beyond my control. I felt isolated, alone and like time was slipping away.
But then, something changed. I found a private gynaecologist who I think of as “Glinda, the Good Witch”. She listened, understood, and guided me through what would eventually become my IVF journey. She wasn’t the only one who helped. Along the way, I found a community of supportive professionals and friends who showed up at exactly the right moments.
I know firsthand how hard it is to balance hope and reality, to keep going when it feels like everything is out of your control.
My specialist support is here to give you…..
A Safe Space to Talk:
Whether you need to vent your frustration at the unfairness of infertility, share your feelings of jealousy when yet another one of your friends gets pregnant, express your fears about the treatment not working, or just be heard, I’m here to listen without judgment.
Emotional Guidance:
IVF can be an emotional whirlwind.
I can help you develop strategies to manage your feelings, cope with setbacks, and keep hope alive.
Support Through Every Stage:
No matter where you are in your journey, from making the decision to pursue IVF, end IVF or post-treatment support, I’ll be with you every step of the way.
How you can work with me
1:1 Counselling
A tailored approach to support you through the emotional complexities of your fertility journey, helping you navigate feelings of loss, overwhelm, and uncertainty.
This is for you if:
- You’re struggling with the emotional toll of infertility or IVF, feeling like the “simple” act of getting pregnant has become a source of grief, frustration, and helplessness.
- You’ve experienced setbacks like unsuccessful treatments, pregnancy loss, or months of trying without success.
- You find yourself grappling with emotions like sadness, jealousy, shame, or even resentment as others around you build their families.
- Past experiences or self-critical thoughts like “I’m not good enough” are resurfacing and adding to the weight of this journey.
This safe and supportive space is designed to help you:
- Process and validate the complex emotions that come with fertility challenges.
- Develop strategies to regain a sense of control, manage emotional triggers, and build resilience.
- Reconnect with yourself, your partner, and your life outside of fertility treatments.
What’s included:
- Weekly 1:1 counselling sessions (online or in-person).
- A focus on your unique journey, helping you feel understood, supported, and empowered to face whatever comes next.
Investment: £60 per session.
BY YOUR SIDE Counselling and Mentoring Programme
A 3-month programme designed to help you move from feeling stuck in chaos, uncertainty, and heartbreak to feeling confident, calm, and empowered to navigate your fertility journey and everyday life.
This is for you if:
- You’re overwhelmed by the emotional toll of infertility or IVF, struggling with grief, loss, or the devastation of unsuccessful treatments.
- You feel isolated, even with a supportive partner, as you carry the weight of this journey alone.
- Jealousy, shame, and resentment are creeping in, making it hard to celebrate others’ joy or find your own.
- You’re drained from pouring all your energy into specialists, treatments, and self-care without seeing results.
- You barely recognise yourself under the weight of this relentless cycle of hope and heartbreak.
This programme provides you with the tools, strategies, and support to:
- Reclaim control over your emotional wellbeing and manage difficult feelings without guilt or shame.
- Build resilience to handle triggers like pregnancy announcements, social media posts, or family gatherings.
- Set boundaries and create space for self-care, protecting your emotional health while still pursuing your dream.
- Reconnect with yourself, rediscovering moments of joy and hope even in the midst of uncertainty.
What’s included:
- 3 one-to-one counselling sessions each month (online or in-person).
- Text and voice note support, Monday to Friday, 8am–6pm, for those moments between sessions when emotions feel overwhelming.
- Access to psychoeducational resources to help you understand and navigate the emotional impact of infertility.
- Practical strategies to manage triggers, build resilience, and find balance.
Investment: £300 per month.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
I understand how deeply personal and emotional this experience is, and I want you to know you don’t have to face it by yourself. I’m here not only as a counsellor but as someone who genuinely understands the challenges and triumphs of infertility and IVF.
Let’s walk this journey together.
Continue your reading with my blogs about the IVF journey…
The Invisible Mental Load of Fertility Struggles: Why Women Carry More Than Their Share
When we talk about the fertility journey, we often focus on the medical procedures, the hormonal ups and downs, and the emotional rollercoaster of hope and disappointment. What we don't discuss enough is the uneven distribution of responsibility that often emerges...
Time, Hope & Your Fertility Journey: Why April Matters for Those Dreaming of a 2025 Baby
April Beginnings: When Hope Meets Reality There's something about April that hits differently when you're trying to conceive. As flowers bloom and everything springs to life, that invisible clock just gets louder, doesn't it? I remember sitting across from my...
Between Hope and Heartache: Navigating Mother’s Day During Infertility
Mother's Day brings a cascade of emotions for many women undergoing fertility treatment and IVF. Like many experiences on the infertility journey, there's no single "right" way to feel about this day. During a recent fertility support group which I facilitate for...
Your Fertility Journey is nobody’s business
The recent news about Lily Collins and Charlie McDowell welcoming their daughter through surrogacy has sparked intense public discussion, much of it unfortunately centred around judgment and speculation. This situation perfectly illustrates the challenges many face...
New chapter for The IVF Counsellor
Connecting Through Shared Experience Throughout my fertility journey, I've learned that one of the most powerful forms of healing comes through connection and community. That's why I'm both honoured and excited to announce my new role as a volunteer facilitator with...
Embracing the Emotions of Infertility: A Three- Part Workshop Series
The fertility journey often feels like navigating uncharted waters, where emotions rise and fall with unexpected intensity. As someone who has walked this path, understand how these feelings can shake your sense of self to the core. That's why I'm excited to announce...
Approaching 2025 with a mindset of “flexible hope” – as you continue your fertility journey.
And just like that, Christmas 2024 has come and gone, and we’re on the brink of welcoming 2025. How was your Christmas? Mine was more “’Tis the season to be poorly” than jolly! It began on December 21st when I woke up with a sore throat, which soon spiralled into an...
How self-compassion boosts your fertility mindset during the IVF journey
Are you sitting comfortably? Let me share a story called “The Warm Fuzzy Tale.” It’s a gentle reminder about how positive interactions, or “strokes,” can support us emotionally, especially during challenging times like IVF treatment. Once upon a time, in a land filled...
Unpacking the past: How core beliefs shape your IVF journey
We often hear the advice to live in the moment, to be present and free from what weighs us down. But, despite our best intentions, we all carry an invisible bag through life, filled with experiences and beliefs we’ve gathered along the way. We take this bag from one...
Support on your IVF journey: Navigating unexpected pregnancy annoucements
The blow of an unexpected pregnancy announcement When you’re struggling to conceive and on an IVF journey, one of the hardest aspects is watching friends, colleagues, and family members effortlessly expand their families while you’re left with empty arms. No matter...
Finding Your Groove: How to Navigate IVF Without Getting Lost in the Noise
Today, I caught a snippet of an interview with the late songwriter Allee Willis, known for collaborating with Maurice White of the 70s band Earth, Wind and Fire to write the iconic song “September.” Allee shared a memory about her journalism background and the...
Will Acupuncture Help You Get Pregnant During IVF?
Have you wondered if acupuncture will improve your chances of success in IVF? When you're going through IVF, it's completely natural to be curious about anything that might improve your chances of success. One of the most common questions I get asked is: "Will...
How my infertility journey inspired me to provide IVF support to women
As a counsellor, I’ve dedicated my career to help people overcome life’s challenges, find balance, and build meaningful lives. However, my personal experience of In-vitro Fertilisation (IVF) has given me a deep understanding of the emotional toll that fertility...