Marianna Sepe

Online and in person sessions available 

Fertility challenges can affect every part of life, emotional wellbeing, relationships, identity, and sense of control. In fertility counselling, my role is to help you navigate the uncertainty, loss, and stress that often accompany this experience.

I work with individuals and couples at various stages of the fertility journey, whether you're just beginning to explore options, undergoing treatment, coping with failed cycles, or considering next steps such as third-party reproduction or living without children. Together, we create space to process the emotional toll of this experience, while also identifying ways to build resilience, strengthen coping strategies, and clarify what matters most to you.

My approach is collaborative and structured. I draw on evidence-based practices—primarily Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), as well as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)—to address anxiety, grief, and relationship stress connected to infertility. I also incorporate psychoeducation, communication tools, and values-based planning to support you in making informed and empowered choices.

If you're attending as a couple, sessions will focus on understanding your individual and shared experiences, improving communication, and helping you work as a team—especially in the face of decisions and outcomes that may feel out of your control.

Fertility counselling isn't about offering quick fixes. It’s about helping you find steadiness and clarity during a process that can feel unpredictable and overwhelming. You don’t have to go through it alone.

Fertility counselling offers space to process the emotional impact of infertility and reproductive challenges—whether you're trying to conceive, undergoing treatment, recovering from loss, or exploring options such as IVF, egg/sperm donation, surrogacy, or child-free living.

In my practice, I work with individuals and couples at various points along this journey. I understand that fertility issues can bring feelings of grief, anxiety, isolation, anger, and identity loss. It can affect your mental health, relationships, and how you see the future. My role is to support you in navigating these complex emotions while helping you stay connected to your values and priorities.

Sessions are tailored to your needs and grounded in evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I also incorporate strategies from emotion-focused and trauma-informed care when appropriate. If you're attending as a couple, we may work on communication skills, managing different coping styles, and strengthening your connection as you face tough decisions together.

Clients can expect a structured yet compassionate approach. I offer a space to reflect, make sense of what’s happening, and develop tools to move forward—whatever that may look like for you. I’ve also facilitated fertility support groups and conducted research on the use of CBT in group settings to support emotional resilience in those experiencing infertility.

Whether you’re seeking clarity, support, or a place to just exhale, fertility counselling can help you feel less alone in the process.

The first session is a chance for us to explore what brings you to fertility counselling and what you hope to gain from it. You may be in the middle of treatment, recovering from a loss, facing uncertainty about next steps, or just beginning to process the emotional weight of infertility. Wherever you are, the first session is about meeting you there—with clarity, care, and no assumptions.

There is no reduced rate for the initial session, but it is designed to give you space to share your story, ask questions, and decide whether this feels like the right fit for you. We’ll begin with a conversation about your current situation, any past experiences with fertility-related issues, and the emotional impact this has had on your wellbeing, relationships, and daily life.

Before we meet, I’ll ask you to complete a brief intake form that includes consent, background information, and a few screening questions to help guide our discussion. This allows us to use the first session more intentionally and begin identifying your priorities for therapy.

If you're attending as a couple, I’ll also explore how each of you is coping and how the fertility journey is affecting your relationship. The session may include time together and/or individually, depending on your preference and goals.

By the end of our first meeting, we’ll discuss possible focus areas and what ongoing support could look like. Whether you choose to continue or simply needed a space to begin processing, the first session is your starting point—not a commitment, but a step.

I offer a warm, compassionate and non-judgemental space where you can feel heard, understood and accepted as you are.

I know that deciding to begin therapy can feel daunting. You may be struggling with something specific, going through a significant life change, or simply feel that you are no longer coping in the way you used to. You do not need to have everything figured out before you come. We can begin exactly where you are.

My practice is grounded in the belief that therapy should feel personal and collaborative. I will not see you simply as a diagnosis, a problem to solve or a set of symptoms. I am interested in understanding your experiences, your relationships, your values and the things that matter to you. Together, we can explore what may be happening beneath the surface and work towards meaningful and lasting change.

I work with adults, couples and young people, with particular experience in anxiety, low mood, self-esteem, relationships, trauma, life transitions and fertility-related emotional difficulties. As a fertility counsellor, I also support people navigating infertility, fertility treatment, reproductive loss and the uncertainty that can accompany these experiences.

My work integrates CBT with other therapeutic approaches, allowing me to tailor sessions to your individual needs. Where it is important to you, I also welcome exploration of spirituality, faith and the mind-body connection.

Above all, I want therapy to be a place where you can be yourself without fear of judgement, and where difficult experiences can be explored with honesty, care and compassion.

Sessions are available in English or Italian, online and in person.

I’m Marianna, a BACP-accredited therapist offering counselling to children, young people, adults and couples, in English and Italian. I offer online sessions and in-person appointments in Edinburgh.

People come to therapy for many different reasons. You may be experiencing anxiety, feeling overwhelmed or emotionally exhausted, struggling with confidence or relationships, going through a significant change, or finding yourself repeating patterns that you cannot seem to shift. For children and young people, difficulties may show up through emotions, behaviour, school, friendships, family relationships or changes in how they see themselves.

I also have a particular interest in fertility and reproductive wellbeing, supporting individuals and couples through infertility, fertility treatment, reproductive loss and the emotional uncertainty surrounding the journey to parenthood.

My practice is a space where you do not need to have everything worked out before you arrive. I take time to understand the person behind the difficulty and what is happening in their wider life. Sessions are adapted to your age, circumstances and needs rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach.

With younger clients, I work in an age-appropriate and engaging way, creating space for them to express themselves safely and helping them develop a better understanding of their emotions and experiences. With adults and couples, there is space to explore deeper patterns, relationships and the things that may be keeping you stuck.

I believe that therapy works best when there is genuine connection, trust and collaboration. My role is not to judge or tell you how you should live, but to help you make sense of what you are experiencing and find a way forward that feels meaningful to you.

Where relevant, I am also open to exploring faith, spirituality, values and the mind-body connection as part of the therapeutic work.

I offer a free initial online conversation of 20 minutes.

 The first session is an opportunity for us to meet properly and begin to understand what has brought you to therapy. You do not need to prepare anything in advance or have a clear idea of what you want to talk about. We can start wherever feels most comfortable for you.

I will invite you to tell me a little about what has been happening, what you would like support with and what you hope might be different through therapy. We may also explore some relevant background and how your current difficulties are affecting you, but we will go at a pace that feels manageable.

I will explain how I work, answer any questions you may have and discuss practical matters such as confidentiality, boundaries, session arrangements and what you can expect from our work together. Where appropriate, we may also agree some initial goals for therapy.

For children and young people, the first session will be adapted to their age and individual needs. Depending on the circumstances, I may also spend some time speaking with a parent or carer so that I can understand the wider context while keeping the young person’s therapeutic space protected.

There is no expectation that you will immediately feel completely comfortable or know exactly what you need. Building trust takes time, and the first session is also an opportunity for you to decide whether you feel I am the right therapist for you.

I offer a free 20–30 minute online introductory conversation before beginning therapy. This is not a therapy session, but a chance for us to briefly meet, discuss what you are looking for and see whether working together feels like a good fit.

The first full therapy session is charged at my usual session rate.