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Counseling How to choose a counselor or therapist An introduction to the author's practice atwww.mindfultherapy.org Clinics offering post-abortion counseling   Internet links Note: These links take you to other web sites, so they will be opened in a new browser window. When you want to return to "Peace After Abortion," just close the new window. Choice LinkUp: Directory for information about reproductive rights and health. Exhale: Exhale serves women who have abortions, and their partners, friends and family. They respect the cultural, social and religious beliefs of all callers. 1-866-4 EXHALE (1-866-439–4253) Grief is for Sharing: Excellent overview of the grieving process. Prevent Suicide Now: Suicide Prevention site. Suicide--Read this first: Suicide Prevention. Understanding Depression: University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign's thorough and readable summary about depression. Depression Central: Excellent source of information about depression. GriefNet: Offers discussion and support groups, and information related to death, dying, bereavement, and major emotional and physical losses.   Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice: Multi-faith organization supporting your right to choice.   Catholics for a Free Choice: A site for Catholic women seeking compassionate information. Planned Parenthood Federation of America Abortion Clinics OnLine: Here is a link to a number of abortion clinics around the country. You can call and ASK THEM if they provide pre- and post-abortion counseling. HeartSite: A web site where you can read and leave compassionate messages from & to others about abortion. Books Grief How to Go on Living When Someone you Love Dies. Theresa Rando, New York: Bantam Books, 1991.   Depression and Anger On the Edge of Darkness. Kathy Cronkite, New York: Doubleday, 1994. Men and Abortion Men and Abortion. Arthur Shostak, New York: Praeger Publishers, 1984. Self-Forgiveness, Atonement, and Ritual A Path with Heart. Jack Kornfield, New York: Bantam Books, 1993.   A Gradual Awakening. Stephen Levine, New York: Anchor Books, 1989. Womens' Experiences of Abortion The Choices We Made. Angela Bonavoglia, New York: Random House, 1991. Ambivalence of Abortion. Linda Bird Franke, New York: Random House, 1977.   Bitter Fruit. Rita Townsend, Alameda: Hunter House, 1991. Abortion in Another Culture Liquid Life: Abortion and Buddhism in Japan. William LaFleur, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1992.   How to choose a counselor or therapist If there is no one safe to talk to in your life, then find a counselor or therapist. Therapists are trained to listen, and have worked with many other people who struggled with issues of grief, depression, guilt, shame and low self-esteem. Sometimes it's hard to go to a professional for help because a therapist or counselor may seem like a poor substitute for a friend. Sometimes people feel a little humiliated for having to pay someone to listen to their problems, but talking to a therapist can often help you more than talking to someone you know. Pastoral counselors can be helpful, too, especially if you are dealing with spiritual injury. When looking for a therapist, you want to find someone you feel comfortable with, someone compassionate and empathic. You should have a sense that this person respects you, cares about you, and is really trying to understand you from your point of view. If, after a few sessions, you do not feel comfortable with your therapist, you should point this out. If his or her response does not make you more comfortable, you should consider finding someone else.

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