Mothers’ experience of receiving counselling/psychotherapy on a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)

AimsTo explore mothers’ experience of receiving counselling/psychotherapy on a NICU with a view to considering how the counselling service can better meet their needs.MethodA small scale qualitative research project was undertaken. Data was gathered through semi- structured interviews and then analysed using a grounded theory method.FindingsOther available support networks were often conditional whereas the counselling service was viewed as a point of consistency and stability that provided unconditional psychological support at the time when needed. It was seen as vital that the counsellor had a working knowledge of neonates and the NICU environment. A flexible approach to counselling was preferred and there was a need for the counselling to continue after discharge.