Resources
Counseling
How to choose a counselor or therapist (see the bottom of this page)
An introduction to the author's practice at www.mindfultherapy.org
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.
Abortion Care Network: 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.
Depression and Addiction combined: Boca Recovery Center
Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice: Multi-faith organization supporting your right to choice.
Catholics for 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.
Do you want to know what early pregnancies actually look like? You might be surprised to learn that pregnancies nine weeks and under have no visible embryo. For more comforting information, click here: https://myanetwork.org/the-issue-of-tissue/
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.
When Anger Hurts. Matthew McKay, Oakland: New Harbinger, 2003.
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.