Relinquishment Counselling
The Process
Relinquishment counselling is a requirement under New South Wales Surrogacy Legislation, wherein the surrogate and their partner (if applicable) are required to attend a counselling session following the birth of the surrogate baby. This counselling can be with the same counsellor who provided pre-surrogacy counselling, but cannot be with the same counsellor who is providing post-surrogacy counselling.
Relinquishment counselling involves 1 x 50-minute session with the surrogate (and partner). Further sessions may be necessary if any party requests this, or at the discretion of the counsellor where issues may still require addressing.
A report will be available approximately two weeks after the counselling session, which will be forwarded to the intending parent(s) and surrogate (and partner).
Fees
1 x 50-minute Consultation
Including Associated Report
Total Cost: $450**
Additional 50-minute Consultation to Complete Relinquishment Counselling
Cost: Standard Practitioner Consultation Fee**
Please see individual practitioner fees.
Additional 50-minute Consultation Requiring Additional Report
Total Cost: $300**
*Medicare rebates not available.
*Reduced consultation time will not result in fee reduction.
Booking Deposit
When you contact us to book your counselling, we require a 50% deposit to be paid within 7 days of reserving your appointments. Once a deposit payment has been received, we will contact you to confirm your bookings and provide the relevant registration documents and mental health/psychometric assessments. If a deposit payment is not received within 7 days, your appointment reservations will be removed and you will need to contact our reception to rebook.
Our Relinquishment Counsellor
Narelle really knows surrogacy. Since 2010, she has supported over 100 surrogacy arrangements. She has been there with families as they prepare for surrogacy and after their babies are born – she has even been thrilled to help a few families welcome their second surrogacy baby into the world!!
Narelle has also had the quite unique experience of travelling around the world investigating the implications of cross-border surrogacy for Australian families (you can read her blog here or access the complete report she wrote for her Churchill Fellowship here) so she really understands the issues you need to consider – whether you are contemplating becoming a surrogate, or whether you are exploring using a surrogate – either in Australia or overseas. Narelle is based in Brisbane, but can offer Telehealth consultations – wherever you are based in the world.
