After Abortion Care
You don’t deserve to go through this alone.
Are you feeling trapped by the memory of a past abortion or abortions? You are not alone. There is hope for you at The LPC. The LPC’s After Abortion Care and Education Program (AACE) can help you process your experience.
At the LPC, we understand that unintended pregnancy can be complicated, and the reasons that draw women and men to choose abortion are just as complex. We want you to know that, at the LPC, you will not be chastised, condemned, or admonished for your choices. We are not here to pass judgment; we have been called to give to others the same love and care that we have received.
What You May Be Feeling After Abortion
An abortion is more than a simple medical procedure. Within days, months, or even years after abortion, many women experience complex physical and emotional problems. Most women have no idea why this is happening to them. Have you, a friend, or partner had one or more abortions? Has she (or you) experienced any of the following?
- Guilt and anxiety
- Feelings of helplessness and isolation
- Sadness, grief, remorse
- Frequent or uncontrollable crying
- Urgent need to “talk it out”
- Shame and fear of others finding out
- Denial
- Alcohol and/or drug abuse to help forget
- Suicidal thoughts
- Relationship problems with boyfriend/spouse or other people
Concerns You May Have
- Do you feel regret or grief around a past abortion?
- What if you don’t regret your decision to abort but are struggling with feelings of sadness or anger?
- Is a previous abortion causing tension within your family?
- Are you and your partner struggling with your relationship after making an abortion decision?
- Would it be helpful to have someone to talk to who isn’t involved?
AACE (After Abortion Care and Education) Program Options
We offer three types of care to support our clients after an abortion (or abortions) to meet their needs: Individual Care, Support Group Care, and Couples Support.
Individual Care is one-on-one support that is tailored to the client’s needs and focuses on working through the grieving process.
Support Group Care involves our in-person support groups at the LPC. The groups usually run for 10 meetings, and we do our best to put participants into a group that fits their schedule.
Couples Support is offered to a client pair, in which the couple can work on processing their feelings together in a safe setting. The focus of these sessions is the affect of abortion on your relationship. Our clients are welcome to participate in one or all of these program offerings.
We’re here for you. Call today: 301.776.9996
After Abortion Support for Men
If you are a man, you may be surprised to learn that it is normal to be deeply affected by a pregnancy that a partner, or close friend or family member terminated. You might feel like you don’t deserve to feel grief, since it was the woman who physically experienced the procedure, not you. You may even feel guilty for even considering getting support and starting your own healing process.
At the LPC, we believe that your feelings matter, too. We support men just like you who are processing deep and complex emotions associated with abortion. You can also seek support with your relationship, including healthy relationships, domestic violence or other relationship issues, and sexual intimacy, including any sort of physical or emotional barriers to intimacy.
You can call, email, or walk in to our center and schedule an appointment for yourself or yourself and a partner or loved one. You would work with a dedicated Care Coach who would support you for as long as you need. All sessions are client-directed, meaning we do not force you to disclose or discuss anything you do not feel comfortable with. Our Care Coaches are trained in trauma-informed counseling skills and will respect your agency and privacy throughout your sessions. All of our services are offered free of charge and are completely confidential.
You are also welcome to attend A Space to Mourn, an in-person event to grieve reproductive loss among others who have had similar experiences. You don’t deserve to go through this alone. The LPC is here to help you, too,
After Abortion Support for Family and Friends
Not only the woman who has the abortion is affected by abortion. Our feelings are complex, and no two people respond the same way.
We know you may have thoughts and feelings you are struggling with, and your thoughts and feelings matter to us, too. We are happy to walk alongside you as you process your feelings around the abortion of a loved one.
Are you struggling to connect with a loved one after her abortion? Do you feel guilt, shame, or embarrassment and don’t know who to talk to about this? Are you worried about a loved one after her abortion and unsure how to support her? Are you grieving the loss of what would have been your granchild or other family member? Do you feel guilty for feeling relieved that your friend or family member would not be raising a child? Are you concerned that you did not say enough to convince this person not to choose abortion, and now you feel at least partially responsible?
Concerns you may have:
- I am struggling to connect with a lved one after her abortion.
- I feel guilt, shame, or embarassment and don’t know who to talk to about this.
- I’m worried about a loved one after an abortion and unsure how to support him/her.
- I am grieving the loss of what would have been my grandchild or other family member.
- I feel guilty for feeling relieved that my friend or family member would not be raising a child.
- I don’t think I said enough to convince them not to choose abortion, and I feel responsible.
How We Can Help
You can call, email, or walk in to our center and schedule an appointment for yourself or yourself and a partner or loved one. You would work with a dedicated Care Coach who would support you for as long as you need. All sessions are client-directed, meaning we do not force you to disclose or discuss anything you do not feel comfortable with. Our Care Coaches are trained in trauma-informed counseling skills and will respect your agency and privacy throughout your sessions. All of our services are offered free of charge and are completely confidential.
You are also welcome to attend A Space to Mourn, an in-person event to grieve reproductive loss among others who have had similar experiences.