Abortion Counseling: A Clinician's Guide to Psychology, Legislation, Politics, and Competency

by Rachel Needle PsyD, Lenore E. A. Walker EdD

Overview

The majority of women who have had abortions report feeling happy, satisfied, and relieved following their abortion. Some few women who have had an abortion may experience some feelings of guilt and sadness; however, this rarely lasts longer than a few days. Those very few women who present with prolonged feelings of sadness and mental health problems are women who have either had these problems prior to their abortion, had other risk factors, or were influenced by frightening demonstrations and inaccurate biased information provided prior to the abortion. Through this book the authors hope to train general therapists and counselors in pre- and post-abortion counseling techniques--to avoid women experiencing unnecessary psychological problems created by those who insist that the non-existent "post-abortion syndrome" exists.

"Abortion counseling has a critical role to play in ensuring women's mental health is the priority and not the goals of a political agenda. Thus, Needle and Walker have taken on a complex, profound and essential task -- equipping therapists and abortion counselors with the knowledge and skills needed to help their clients -- and they have done it wellÖ.Readers of this book should [gain] an increased understanding of how women's diverse life circumstances affect their ability to cope with the difficult decisions and circumstances surrounding abortion. They will also be better able to build women's resilience and coping skills by having considered them both in the context of women's lives (e.g., coping resources, social support, partner violence, incidence of depression), and in the context of socio-political agendas that seek to manipulate women's mental health in order to undermine women's reproductive rights....In the final analysis, it is important to remember that abortion counseling is not about abortion - it is about women confronting the decision to bear a child - with all of the profound and life changing commitments and responsibilities that entails."
-- From the Foreword by Nancy Felipe Russo, PhD, Regents Professor of Psychology, Arizona State University

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780826103376
Publisher:	Springer Publishing Company
Publication date:	08/10/2007
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	272
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Rachel B. Needle, PsyD, is an Adjunct Professor of Psychology in the Department of Behavioral Sciences at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She is also the Director of Health Information Services at Positive Friends, an internet dating website for individuals with viral Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Dr. Needle co-founded Florida Friends for Choice (FFC), a non-profit organization whose mission is providing legal aid to women and healthcare providers to guarantee access to safe, quality reproductive health care for all women.

Lenore E. A. Walker, EdD, is a professor at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) College of Psychology, where she is also a coordinator of the clinical forensic psychology doctoral concentration and director of the master's in forensic psychology program.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Foreword by Nancy Felipe Russo
Preface: On a Personal Note
Introduction

1. Perspectives for the Mental Health Professional
2. The Impact of Abortion Politics on Therapists
3. Assessing Competency and Decision-Making Skills Of The Client
4. Facts not Myths About Women's Reproductive Health
5. Gauging Your client's Emotional Regulation and Good Decision-Making
6. Is there a Post Abortion Syndrome?
7. A Model Program for Post Abortion Counseling
8. Impact of the Abortion Debate on Clinic Workers
9. Summary and Conclusions

Appendix 1:Pre-abortion Needs Assessment
Appendix 2:Legislative Summaries for the United States
Index

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"A font of information on all aspects of pregnancy termination, Abortion Counseling is a must-have resource for health service providers and mental health professionals wishing to improve their pre- and post-abortion counseling skills during a time of continuing political turmoil affecting women's reproductive rights and well-being."
—Henry P. David, PhD, Director, Transnational Family Research Institute

"Needle and Walker have produced a reference of great depth and breadth. While focusing on the United States, it places abortion in a rich international and historical perspective. Not only does it cover the relevant laws and regulations—-it explains how they work in the reality of women's lives. This is the only such reference I know that explores the science of the decision-making process and the various psychological theories that foster understanding of the emotions raised when a woman has to decide whether or not to continue a pregnancy. Finally, the authors apply this understanding by detailing the techniques therapists can use to help women make decisions consonant with their own values and circumstances. That is the ultimate goal."
—Nada Stotland, MD, MPH, Vice President of The American Psychiatric Association
Professor of Psychiatry and Obstetrics/Gynecology at Rush Medical College, Chicago

“This book is a timely addition to the field of women's health. Needle and Walker provide an outstanding backdrop to the topic by discussing the important facets of the history of abortion in this country, including funding, federal and state legislation, case law, and the various tacks taken by antichoice groups. The authors also provide important education on international perspectives on women's reproductive rights…. They provide a thorough foundation for understanding the evolution of women's reproductive health rights with respect to abortion and current research on women's mental health in the aftermath of abortion.”
—PsycCRITIQUES