Marie Meechan

Available session types include in-person, phone, Zoom/video call, or walk-and-talk. 

Hi, I'm Marie; Dr Marie Meechan. As a counsellor & coach who specialises in fertility/subfertility/fertility impairment, I am dedicated to working exclusively with all that is related to fertility. As a PhD researcher on this topic, my passion for focusing solely on (in)fertility and reproductive loss also stems from my own experiences of living through 'unexplained infertility' (UI), which led to a twelve-year roller coaster involving medical intervention and emotional upheaval. Therefore, I believe I am well-positioned to explore any aspect or stage of your fertility journey with compassion and understanding, providing a safe space to honour and work through your experience.

The use of the title Dr in this directory listing relates to the member’s doctorate qualification. However, this does not imply a general medical qualification.

I usually work flexible hours from Monday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sessions for individuals and couples last 60 minutes and are generally held weekly or fortnightly at the same time each week. 

The number of sessions we undertake will vary. Six to twelve sessions can have a substantial impact. Many people choose or need to continue for longer. Depending on your circumstances, we can agree from the start to work for a set number of sessions and review our progress periodically. 

Fee:

£90 for individual psychotherapy, counselling, or coaching.

£110 for a couple’s counselling appointment. 

Longer sessions with families, workshops and courses can also be arranged. 

Payment can be made by bank transfer.

As a specialist counsellor and coach working exclusively with (in)fertility, I offer a unique blend of psychotherapy and coaching, guiding you through your unique journey of fertility challenges with compassion and expert knowledge; I speak the language of (in)fertility. My understanding of Reproductive losses allows me to support you effectively as we navigate this path together.

Fertility challenges, Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs), and the often-unacknowledged grief of invisible losses can carry significant stigma. I invite you to share your experiences in a safe, supportive environment. Together, we will make sense of your situation and find a way forward. You are not alone!

I focus exclusively on (in)fertility, unexplained (in)fertility (UI), and all aspects of ARTs. With a PhD in (in)fertility and an MSc on the psychological impact of (in)fertility and UI, I am well-equipped to support you through any unexpected challenges you may face.

I am dedicated to walking beside you, offering support at every stage of your fertility journey, no matter wheree turbulent waters of fertility challenges and loss. Together, we will explore your fears and anxieties that might affect your dream of parenthood, mourn what we need to, and move towards reaching your goals, one way or another. 

Whether you are a woman facing medical conditions such as irregular ovulation, endometriosis, PCOS, or damaged fallopian tubes, or a man dealing with low semen quality or motility, or a heterosexual couple diagnosed with unexplained infertility (UI) or a same-sex couple striving to realise your dreams of parenthood, my personal experience, training and expertise in this field of knowledge will guide you through this complex emotional landscape.

My goal is to provide a safe and compassionate space for you to explore your feelings and navigate the challenges of your fertility journey, helping you find hope again. Together, we will work through your transformation and move forward.

You are in the right place. I see you. I hear you. You are held.

Whatever season of your fertility journey you have arrived in- trying, treating, grieving, mothering, or rebuilding without children- you do not have to explain yourself first.

What makes this different

I speak the language of fertility impairment

I spent twelve years living with unexplained (in)fertility. I know the silence. I know the shame. I know the strange, invisible grief of a future you can feel slipping but cannot name.

I also have a PhD in Counselling Studies on Fertility Impairment from the University of Edinburgh, where I spent years researching the very thing I had lived through. So when you sit across from me, you are not having to translate. You are not starting from the beginning. I understand it from the inside, and I have the research to hold it.

That is what specialist fertility psychotherapy means to me. Not a sub-speciality. Not an add-on. A practice built entirely around the people the rest of the system tends to overlook.

HOW I WORK 

My approach is integrative In the emotional work, I follow your lead, gently, at your pace, with no agenda but yours. When we are navigating the practical, the medical, the decision-points, I move closer to coaching: directive when it helps, alongside you when it doesn't. You are held throughout. You will leave each session with something to take with you: a breathing technique, a journaling prompt, a reframed thought, an affirmation. You will not leave empty-handed. 

Wherever you are now, there is a place here for you

I work with women, men, and couples of all kinds — heterosexual, same-sex couples. I support trans and asexual individuals, and anyone navigating fertility impairment in any form.

For every season of your journey, I support you in navigating & honouring your unique journey through trying, treating, deciding, grieving, validating and marking the losses that often go unseen along the way.

We begin with the essentials: confidentiality and a little housekeeping on how my supervision works. Then the focus is entirely you.

I will meet you exactly where you are on your journey. I will ask about your hopes, your worries, the decisions ahead of you, the ones already behind you. Whether you are navigating fertility treatment, recovering from loss, or somewhere else entirely, my role is to make sense of where you are right now without imposing a framework on top of your experience.

The tone is collaborative and gentle. We walk this together, shoulder to shoulder. And before you leave, you will have something to take with you: a breathing technique, a journaling prompt, a reframed thought, an affirmation we have worked on together. You will not leave empty-handed.

Before our first full session, you are welcome to a free 15-to-20-minute introductory call. A chance for us to connect and see if we are a good fit, completely judgement-free. Some people prefer to skip this and go straight to a first session. Either is great by me.

In person - Edinburgh

A held, dedicated space

A space away from home, best for people who want clear separation between this work and the rest of their week.

Walk and talk - Edinburgh

Side by side, in the open air

For those who find it easier to open up while moving. We walk a quiet route together, shoulder to shoulder, letting the conversation unfold at its own pace. Weather permitting, and always optional.

Online - worldwide

Wherever you are

Secure video sessions, anywhere in the world, across time zones. Best for people outside Edinburgh, or anyone who feels more comfortable with a screen between us.

Session frequency

Weekly is the rhythm I usually recommend. It gives the work continuity and lets us go deeper. Fortnightly works for some seasons too. Most clients begin with a 6-session or 12-session package, and we reassess together along the way. You are never locked in. We adjust based on what is serving you best.