PIVET’s Clinical Psychologist, Juliana Gavranich, is a full member of the Australian and New Zealand Infertility Counsellors Association (ANZICA). Juliana consults at PIVET as an independent practitioner and also works part-time in private practice, focusing on perinatal psychology as a dedicated area of practice for the past three years.

PIVET Medical Centre and Perth Day Surgery Centre have a comprehensive specialist counselling service available to all patients before, during and at the conclusion of treatment. A history of infertility, and fertility treatment itself, are often experienced as stressful and challenging. Many people find that their usual supports and coping strategies aren’t adequate for these new experiences. Counselling can assist with developing a better understanding and more adequate responses to the experience of infertility and the demands of treatment.

There are 3 different types of fertility counselling available:

  • Pre-treatment implications counselling, for those commencing IVF treatment, or treatment involving donor sperm, eggs or embryos. The process of implications counselling is largely psycho-educational. The counsellor generally has a number of topics that are typically focussed on, however, it is also necessary to focus on any concerns that the patients may have before they commence treatment. In the case of a “known donation”, all parties are required to attend “donor issues” implications counselling sessions both at the beginning and at the end of mandated “cooling-off” periods.
  • Supportive counselling. This usually occurs during, or at the conclusion of, treatment when a patient feels the need for additional emotional support, and/or has a specific treatmentrelated experience or difficulty which they wish to understand or resolve; examples include pregnancy loss, lack of success with treatment, heightened stress in the “2 week wait”, managing the work situation when in treatment.
  • Therapeutic counselling. This typically involves a number of sessions of psychological assistance and more in-depth support with problems that have been highlighted or exacerbated by treatment, such as “needle phobia”, relationship conflict/tensions, depression and anxiety.

There is no fee charged for Pre-IVF Implications counselling, as this is covered by Medicare. Fees are charged for “donor issues” implications counselling, and also for supportive and therapeutic counselling. Information about fees and appointments for counselling is available through PIVET Medical Centre’s receptionists.