What to expect
Support After Abortion helps women and men who have experienced abortion directly or who have been impacted by someone else’s abortion(s).
Abortion is a type of reproductive loss. The associated emotions may be complicated, unpredictable, and change over time. Contact us today to talk with one of our trained support team members.
Here are some questions we’ve been asked that may help you – or someone you love – know what to expect from Support After Abortion. If you have additional questions, please email us.
What does Support After Abortion do?
Answer
Support After Abortion is dedicated to healing people who have been impacted by abortion(s). We do this in two ways:
- We match people hurting after abortion loss(es) to the abortion healing that best meets their needs.
- We equip healing providers with abortion healing curriculum, resources, research and personal development necessary to be effective.
What is Abortion Healing?
Answer
Abortion healing, formerly known as post-abortion healing or post-abortion recovery, refers to the process of emotional, psychological, and sometimes spiritual healing that some individuals may seek after abortion loss(es). Abortion can be a complex and emotionally charged experience for many people, and feelings of grief, guilt, sadness, or regret may arise in the aftermath of the procedure.
Abortion healing typically involves seeking support, counseling, or therapy to help individuals process their emotions and underlying roots of the experience. It is important to note that people’s experiences and emotional reactions to abortion can vary widely, and not everyone who has an abortion will necessarily feel the need for healing or counseling. However, for those who do, there are various resources available to assist in the healing process, including:
- Counseling: Many individuals find it helpful to talk to a therapist or counselor who specializes in reproductive health and abortion-related issues. These professionals can provide a safe and non-judgmental space for individuals to explore their feelings and emotions.
- Support groups: Joining a support group for individuals who have experienced abortion can offer a sense of community and understanding. Sharing experiences and feelings with others who have been through similar situations can be comforting and healing. Support Groups typically use a structured curriculum, program, or book as the basis for facilitator-led discussions. Groups may be virtual or in-person; secular or religious; and for women, men, or coed.
Self-help resources: There are books, websites, and online forums dedicated to helping individuals navigate their emotions and find healing after an abortion. These resources can provide information, coping strategies, and a sense of solidarity. - Spiritual or religious guidance: Some individuals may seek guidance and healing through their faith or spiritual practices. Clergy members or religious counselors may offer support in this context. Religious-based books and support groups are available.
- Time and self-compassion: Healing is a personal and individual process that can take time. It’s important for individuals to be patient with themselves and practice self-compassion as they work through their emotions.
It’s worth emphasizing that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to abortion healing. Nor is it one-and-done. Abortion healing may be a journey over time, experience and different types of support. Ultimately, the goal of abortion healing is to help individuals move forward in a healthy and emotionally balanced way filled with hope toward the future.
Who wants or needs Abortion Healing?
Answer
Abortion may be a painful experience with complicated emotions, like anger, regret, grief, guilt, or even depression. Those emotions may pop up and cause you to behave uncharacteristicly. Maybe you are just now making the connection to those emotions and behaviors to your abortion experience and don’t know where to turn for help. Maybe you experienced abortion(s) recently, or maybe you have been suffering for years or decades and are now looking for help.
That’s what Support After Abortion is here for.
What will I gain from Abortion Healing?
Answer
Hope, freedom from behaviors and patterns about which you don’t feel happy, proud and peaceful. Receiving abortion healing offers emotional and psychological support to process complex feelings. This support can lead to improved mental well-being, reduced emotional distress, a sense of closure and enhanced self-acceptance.
Does Support After Abortion only help women who have experienced abortion?
Answer
Support After Abortion helps women who have experienced abortion(s) themselves and men who have experienced abortion(s) through a partner’s termination(s), as well family members, friends, and others who have been affected by abortion(s). We help anyone who is struggling from abortion(s) to find hope and healing.
Does Support After Abortion offer any services for men who have been impacted by abortion?
Yes, Support After Abortion offers services and resources for men impacted by abortion by providing compassion, building leaders, creating resources, and expanding capacity for men’s healing. We have an entire team of men from various backgrounds dedicated to serving men in this capacity.
What can I expect when I contact the After Abortion Line?
Answer
When you contact the After Abortion Line, you will find safe, caring, compassionate help without judgment. Whether you are looking for support after experiencing abortion, or you are considering abortion for a current pregnancy, we will listen and talk with you to identify the type of help you desire that best meets your needs.
Who responds to After Abortion Line calls, texts, emails, social media messages?
Answer
Our After Abortion Line Support Team members include specially trained volunteers and Support After Abortion staff. They meet you where you are without judgment. Many of them have been in your shoes and can empathize with your situation, emotions, and circumstances. They all want to help women and men hurting from abortion to find help and healing.
Are Support After Abortion's services free?
Answer
Yes. There is never any cost to contact our After Abortion Line or to be connected with an abortion healing provider or resource. We also have many free online and downloadable resources.
How often can I contact Support After Abortion?
Answer
As much as you need. We are here for you.
Can I remain anonymous?
Answer
Absolutely.
Our research shows that the vast majority of both women and men seeking help following abortion want to do so anonymously, which is why we offer many ways to connect with us that don’t require you to identify yourself. The only time you would need to provide your name is when you decide you would like us to refer you to an abortion healing provider. Even then, if you would like to remain anonymous to us, we can provide you with the information to contact a provider directly rather than have us make the connection for you.
Do I have to live in a certain city, state, or country for Support After Abortion to help me?
Answer
No!
We help people no matter where they live.
Are Support After Abortion's services religiously based?
Women and men hurting from abortion come from all walks of life and hold various religious and non-religious beliefs. Support After Abortion serves all in whatever way the individual would like without judgment. We offer both secular and religious healing programs and providers.
Are Support After Abortion's services politically based?
Absolutely not. Abortion healing, grief, and reproductive loss are not political issues. Abortion affects individuals regardless of their political affiliation and at Support After Abortion, we strive to bridge that gap beyond politics and religion to focus on the individual who is hurting and to help them find the help, hope, and healing they deserve.
How do I become a Support After Abortion Provider?
Answer
If you are a leader, clinician, social worker, counselor, therapist, pregnancy center, ministry, clergy, or anyone who currently offers or would like to offer abortion healing programs, please contact us. We offer free monthly webinars, conference training, our online training center, curriculum, and resources.
How do I become a Support After Abortion Volunteer?
Answer
We invite you to explore the many opportunities we have available for you to share your time and talents to help raise awareness for abortion healing, work remotely with clients hurting from their abortion experiences, or assist remotely with administrative needs.
How can I donate to help Support After Abortion bring hope and healing to women and men impacted by abortion?
Answer
We appreciate all our donors and welcome any assistance you can provide to help us as many people who need healing from abortion as possible.
How can I spread the word about Support After Abortion and the need for abortion healing?
We have several options you can use to help spread our message.