Woman – Centered

Abortion care
Counselling
Purpose

 This module covers the essential

knowledge, skills, and attitude
counselors need to provide effective
counseling to diverse women seeking
abortion care services
Objectives

By the end of this module, learners should be

able to:
1. Define basic elements of abortion – care
counseling.
2. Examine how counselors’ values , attitude
and empathy impact counseling.
3. Identify effective communication
technique.
Objectives cont …

4. Identify possible feelings of women

seeking abortion-care services
5. Describe effective counseling
techniques
6. Describe how counselors should
make referrals to other services
Effective Abortion-Care
Services
 Explores feelings, decisions, and
coping
 Identifies special needs
 Improves woman-provider
relationships
 Facilitates a less painful procedure
 Creates greater satisfaction
Welcome client

 Greet cheerfully
 Introduce yourself
 Offer a seat
 Establish rapport
Counseling IS
 Soliciting the woman’s thoughts and
feelings
 Accepting the woman’s perceptions and
feelings
 Respecting confidentiality
 Voluntary
 Focused on the woman’s needs
 Communicating effectively
 Supporting the woman’s decisions
Counseling ISN’T

 Strictly providing information

 Giving advice
 Influencing the woman’s attitude and
behaviors
Definition of Counseling

 Counseling is a structured interaction

in which a person voluntarily receives
emotional support and guidance from
a trained person in an environment
that is conducive to openly sharing
thoughts, feelings and perceptions
Who Can Provide
Counseling?
 Staff members/clinicians with training
or appropriate background
 Ideally staff designated specifically as
counselors
When Should Counseling
Take Place?
 Before, during and after the procedure
 During a formal counseling session at
some point in the visit
Primary Roles of the
Abortion-Care Counselor
 Help her clarify thoughts, feeling,
decisions
 Ensure she receives answers to her
questions
 Refer her to additional services if
necessary
 Ensure she gives voluntary informed
consent for any procedures
Abortion-Care Counseling
Challenges
 Lack of adequate time
 The women’s conflicting feelings and
emotional state
 Different cultures, languages
 Counselor overwork or “burnout”
Three Elements of
Abortion-Care Counseling
 Privacy
 Confidentiality
 Informed decision making
Ensure Privacy

 Provide counseling where no one else

can see/hear
 Have others participate only with the
woman’s prior permission
 Ensure Confidentiality

 Inform her that all information is

confidential
 Assure her that information will not be
released without her authorization
Counseling can

 Help the woman explore feelings

about her situation
 Support her ability to make informed
decision after understanding complete,
accurate information
The Empathetic counselor

 Listens and is genuine

 Understands the woman’s feelings
 Shows caring
 Responds honestly
 Is friendly and helpful
Active Listening

 Is more than just hearing

 Uses multiple senses to gather
information, convey understanding
and encourage communication
 Avoids dismissive phrases
Verbal Communication

 Open-ended questions
 Reflecting understanding of feelings
Nonverbal
Communication
 Body gestures
 Facial expressions
Effective Communication

 Stay attentive
 Use nonverbal cues to convey concern
 Ask open-ended questions
 Use encouraging words

Effective Communication

 Pay close attention to the woman’s

spoken words
 Observe her nonverbal cues
 Help her explore her feelings
 Use medical language in a manner she
understands
Obtain informed consent

 Understands issues, procedures,

options, side effects, possible
complications
 May change her mind any time before
procedure
 Will not be victimized for any decision
Options

 Continue the pregnancy to term

– Parent the child
– Relatives care for the child
– Release the child for adoption
 Terminate the pregnancy
Decision to Terminate
 Confidentiality of care
 Length of pregnancy
 Abortion methods available
 Pain medications available
 Any other tests that may be done
 If applicable, fetal anomalies or other
medical indications detected
 Permission to treat a complication if
necessary
Procedure Choice

 Differences between methods

 What will be done during and after the
procedure
 What she is likely to experience
 How long it will take
 Side effects, risks and potential
complications
 Aftercare and follow-up
Provide Referrals

 For services needed which you are not

able to provide
Closing a Counseling
Session
 Summarize key concepts
 Ask the woman if she has additional
questions
 Ensure that she understands
 Provide written instructions or referrals
 Explain what to expect during clinic
visits
The END

THANK YOU