IVF Psychological Counselling in Delhi
One of the few fertility centres in Delhi with an in-house clinical psychologist dedicated to IVF patients
At Akanksha IVF Centre, we believe fertility treatment is not just a medical journey — it is an emotional one. That is why our centre includes Dr. Poonam Nayar, a senior clinical psychologist with over 30 years of experience, as a core part of the treatment team, not an optional add-on.
Why Psychological Support Matters During IVF
IVF treatment places enormous emotional demand on patients — often more than people expect going in. Hormonal medications can intensify mood swings. Repeated clinic visits, injections, and blood tests create physical and mental fatigue. And the uncertainty of not knowing whether a cycle will succeed creates a unique, prolonged form of stress that research in reproductive medicine has compared to the emotional burden of managing a chronic illness.
Left unaddressed, this stress does not just affect quality of life — it can affect how patients cope with treatment, communicate with their partner, and make decisions at critical points in their journey. A clinical psychologist trained specifically in fertility counselling helps patients navigate this alongside their medical treatment, not after it.
Common Situations Where Our Patients Seek Psychological Support
Every patient’s journey is different, but certain emotional patterns come up again and again in fertility treatment. Here are some of the most common situations Dr. Poonam Nayar helps patients work through:
Pre-Treatment Anxiety
Patients starting IVF for the first time often feel overwhelmed by the unknowns — the process, the medications, the possibility of failure. Counselling before treatment begins helps set realistic expectations and reduces anticipatory anxiety.
Grief After a Failed Cycle
A failed IVF cycle can bring a grief response similar to loss. Patients often need dedicated space to process this before deciding on next steps, rather than moving straight into another cycle while still emotionally raw.
Strain Between Partners
Couples often experience treatment differently — one partner may want to keep trying while the other feels ready to stop. Joint counselling sessions help rebuild communication and ensure both partners feel heard in decision-making.
Decision Fatigue
Choices around donor eggs, embryo freezing, number of embryos to transfer, or when to stop treatment can feel overwhelming. Counselling offers a neutral space to think through options clearly, away from clinical urgency.
Social Isolation
Many patients withdraw from friends and family during treatment, especially if others around them are becoming pregnant easily. We help patients find sustainable ways to stay connected without feeling exposed or judged.
Treatment Fatigue in Long Journeys
For patients on their third, fourth, or later cycle, sheer emotional exhaustion sets in. We work on pacing, boundary-setting, and rebuilding motivation without minimizing how hard the journey has been.
Counselling Services We Offer
- Pre-Treatment CounsellingHelps new patients understand what to expect emotionally and physically, and builds early coping strategies before the first cycle begins.
- Individual CounsellingOne-on-one sessions focused on personal stress, anxiety, or low mood related to fertility treatment.
- Couples CounsellingJoint sessions to improve communication, align expectations, and strengthen the partnership through treatment.
- Grief & Loss CounsellingDedicated support after a failed cycle, miscarriage, or other difficult outcome, before making decisions about next steps.
- Third-Party Reproduction CounsellingGuidance for patients considering donor eggs, donor sperm, or surrogacy, including the emotional and family considerations involved.
- Ongoing Support Through the CycleShort check-in sessions during stimulation, the two-week wait, and post-transfer periods for patients who want continued support.
Meet Your Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Poonam Nayar
Dr. Poonam Nayar is a senior clinical psychologist with more than 30 years of experience, specialising in fertility and reproductive counselling. She works directly alongside the medical team at Akanksha IVF Centre, ensuring that emotional care is woven into every stage of a patient’s treatment — not treated as a separate, disconnected service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do IVF patients need psychological counselling?
IVF is not just a physical process — it involves hormonal shifts, uncertainty, financial pressure, and emotional highs and lows that can strain mental health and relationships. Counselling helps patients build coping strategies, process setbacks, and stay resilient through treatment.
Is counselling included in IVF treatment at Akanksha IVF Centre?
Yes. We are one of the few fertility clinics in Delhi with an in-house clinical psychologist. Counselling is integrated into the treatment journey rather than outsourced separately.
Do both partners need to attend counselling?
Both individual and couples sessions are available. Joint sessions are often recommended since IVF affects both partners, but individual sessions are equally available for those who prefer them.
What if a cycle fails – is grief counselling available?
Yes, Dr. Poonam Nayar provides dedicated grief and loss counselling to help patients process a failed cycle or pregnancy loss before deciding on next steps.
Is fertility counselling confidential?
Yes, all sessions are conducted in strict confidence, in a private setting separate from routine medical consultations.
You Don’t Have to Go Through This Alone
Whether you’re just starting treatment or have been on this journey for a while, our team is here to support you — mind and body.