We provide after abortion counselling support both in-person at our office in Ottawa and virtually, to those outside of the Ottawa area.
Some will feel relief after an abortion whereas others may find they experience thoughts and emotions that they did not anticipate. The impact of abortion is unique to each person and is influenced by their personal story. At First Place Options we recognize that some will experience abortion as a childbearing loss, a grief issue or a stressor. Sometimes an abortion is experienced as a traumatic event that overwhelms the ability to function adequately, especially in the early days and weeks.
For those who find themselves struggling emotionally after an abortion, know you are not alone in that experience. You may have. feelings of sadness, confusion, numbness, anger or perhaps another difficult feeling. Your emotions might even be all over the place. At First Place Options, we understand the complexity and unique response to abortion whether within days, weeks, months, or even years after an abortion.
The After Abortion Support that we offer uses a grief lens to help you explore and process the various elements of grief that you may be experiencing. Grief can be defined as a normal response to loss. Grief can also be defined as “the conflicting group of human emotions caused by an end to or change in a familiar pattern of behaviour” (John W. James & Russell Friedman, The Grief Recovery Handbook).” This change may take place in a relationship with a person, a place, an event, or perhaps the way you think about yourself. Grief is a complex process rather than an emotion. Grief is not predictable either in the length of time it lasts or in the sequence and nature of the emotions that arise.
If you have a need to seek support following an abortion, we are here to help. We offer free post abortion counselling. There is no right or wrong way to experience post abortion grief. Your feelings are real, and it’s important to give yourself permission to have them.
If you find yourself struggling emotionally after an abortion, it can be surprising and overwhelming. Many people who experience abortion(s) have either not told anyone about their pregnancy or abortion(s) or only told the partner in the pregnancy. This can leave you feeling isolated and alone with no one to talk to about what you are feeling and experiencing after your abortion(s).
One of the most helpful ways to cope with what you are experiencing after an abortion, is to have a safe place to share about and process those emotions and experiences. At First Place Options, we are sensitive to the fears and concerns that you may have around sharing your abortion(s) experiences with people. The topic of abortion can elicit strong opinions and be very polarizing in our society, which can raise concerns about how people will respond to you if you tell them about your experience.
Our counsellors provide a safe, non-judgmental space for you to process the complex thoughts, emotions and other effects that you may have surrounding your abortion(s) experience. We are committed to walking with you through this journey of healing.
There is no one typical or predictable way to respond to or feel after an abortion. Some people feel a sense of relief after an abortion, whereas others may experience feelings of sadness, regret, anger, grief, loss, shame, or other difficult emotions. Some experience difficulty in sleeping, concentrating and doing normal self-care or some may experience other types of changes in their behaviour or rhythms of their life. It is important not to compare yourself to others. Some people may tell you how you should be feeling. However, your experience and feelings are unique to you.
At First Place Options we offer our After Abortion Support both in-person at our office in Nepean, Ottawa and virtually. We have served clients across Canada for post abortion counselling. If you are located outside of the Ottawa area and looking for support after an abortion(s), you are welcome to reach out for support with us. Depending on your location, we may also be able to refer you to an after abortion support program in your area.
If your partner had an abortion, it is possible that you may experience a wide range of feelings as a result of the experience. It is not uncommon for you, as the partner, to feel grief, sadness, confusion, or perhaps something else that is difficult. At First Place Options, we want you to know that you matter and are not alone.
Whether it was a joint decision or not, and whether you were for or against the abortion or simply trying to be neutral about the decision at the time, we care about what you are going through. We understand that even reaching out for support can be a challenge. We provide a safe place for you to explore your feelings in a confidential, non-judgmental, and supportive space. Reach out to learn more about our one-on-one After Abortion Support for partners of women who have had an abortion.
All support is offered at no charge and is available virtually or in person. You do not have to walk this journey alone, reach out for support today.
If you are struggling after your abortion(s), we want you to know that you are not alone. Some women feel it is helpful to talk about their experience but find it difficult to find a safe place to do so.
For that reason, First Place Options offers an eight-week, one-on-one, After Abortion Support program. It does not matter how recent, or how long ago your abortion(s) occurred. We will help you process and work through your difficult thoughts and feelings by talking, asking questions, and giving you tools to use in your journey to move forward. Healing is possible, and you are worth it.
All support is offered free of charge, is confidential, and can be in-person or virtual.
Please contact us if you would like to book an appointment to speak with a counselor to discuss After Abortion Support. Contact us today.
We offer one-on-one After Abortion Support. Everyone’s circumstances leading up to an abortion, their abortion story and their experience afterwards can be very different. We find that one-on-one support allows each of our clients to process their abortion experience and story at their own pace.
At times we have done an intake session with a couple together. Our intake sessions allow clients to meet with a counsellor and find out more about the After Abortion Support that we offer. These appointments also allow the counsellor the opportunity to get to know a little bit about the client, so that we know how best to support them. After a joint intake session, we usually recommend that the couple continue their After Abortion Support on a one-on-one basis with different counsellors. We do this because partners tend to process their abortion experience at very different rates and have different needs. Continuing individually allows each partner the valuable time they need to work through their thoughts and feelings at their own pace. Couples can then come together on their own time to share with each other how they are doing and what they are working through.
It is not uncommon for our client’s to have had more than one abortion. We usually recommend that a client begin by processing the abortion that is currently affecting them the most. Throughout the time of your support with First Place Options, you will have the space to share your experience and feelings regarding all of your abortions that you are emotionally struggling with.
First Place Options
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Phone: 613-228-7475
Email: info@firstplaceoptions.ca
First Place Options
Smith Falls, Ontario, Canada
Phone: 613-228-7475
Email: info@firstplaceoptions.ca
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First Place Options offers free, non-judgemental, compassionate support.
We love People. Period.
Our pregnancy and counselling services are not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice and professional counselling or therapy. We are neither a medical provider, nor an abortion service provider.
