Help, Healing, Research, Education and Advocacy
Do you realize that you can promote post-abortion healing without ever talking to people about their past abortions? You don’t even have to know if someone has had an abortion. And you certainly don’t have to become a trained counselor or an expert in post-abortion issues. All you have to do is sow a few […]
David C. Reardon, Ph.D. Everyone has an opinion about abortion. That’s fine–up to a point. The problem is when these political and moral views get in the way of efforts to help those who are hurting because of a past abortion. Just for the moment, set aside the question of whether or not abortion should […]
When looking for a post-abortion counselor or support group, keep in mind that many of these groups have different philosophies and approaches. Many are run by women who have had abortions themselves. Some are run by licensed psychiatrists, psychologists, or social workers. Others are extensions of churches or crisis pregnancy centers. Be sure to ask […]
DO’s DON’Ts Do listen patiently. They are trying to sort out their feelings. Verbalizing them with someone who will listen helps. Expect and allow them to repeat themselves and to bring the subject up again later. Listen for clues to their deeper feelings to which you can respond later. Don’t shut them off by changing […]
Some people seem to come through an abortion unchanged. Others struggle for years with feelings of grief, guilt, shame, anxiety, low self-esteem, anger, or depression. Still others have problems with nightmares, eating disorders, broken or abusive relationships, substance abuse, and even suicide. It is possible for any woman to unexpectedly have a bad emotional reaction […]
Beverly McMillan, M.D. Dr. Beverly McMillan is an ob/gyn. In 1975, she became the first woman to open an abortion clinic in Mississippi. She ceased doing abortions in 1978 when she became convinced that the abortions she was performing were causing everyone involved far more harm than good. What are the physical complications of abortion? […]
Clearing the Air About the Psychological Effects of Abortion by Martha Shuping, M.D. Why do women have abortions? At least 70 percent of women having abortions say they believe it is immoral.(1) But they choose against their conscience because of pressure from others and their circumstances. Most women choose abortion out of fear–fear of not […]
Theresa Karminski Burke, Ph.D. For some women, abortion is the result of an outright threat of abandonment if the woman won’t “do the right thing” and abort. Other times, the pressure is more subtle: “It’s your decision, but….” Unfortunately, all the evidence shows that abortion to “save a relationship” almost never works. Many relationships between […]
Martha Shuping, M.D. Can an abortion affect one’s parenting skills? Obviously, if women and men are having emotional problems because of their past abortions, this is going to have an impact on their families. For example, women who have had an abortion are more likely to report subsequent substance abuse. Clearly, alcoholism and drug abuse […]
“I now live my life with a deep joy and gratitude.” “Through my healing I have learned how to have more compassion and mercy for others. I am careful not to judge, because I know where I have come from and how much I needed compassion and mercy.” Like Theresa, thousands of women and men […]
