YOU ARE NOT ALONE…
“Abortion is a complex choice and not a decision that an individual takes lightly. Often there is a sense of coercion or lack of support that leaves a woman feeling as though there is no other way forward when she is faced with an unplanned pregnancy. She senses that her unborn child threatens everything that she is tenuously trying to hold on to, reach for or protect. Often those closest to her give her an ultimatum or sometimes, she herself feels that the kindest thing to do for her unborn child is to not bring it into her broken, chaotic or dangerous world.” (Narelle Williams)
There are over 80,000 abortions performed in Australia every year and 1 in 3 Australian women will at some stage in their life, have an abortion. Abortion often catalyses a deep psychological and emotional distress within an individual as well as triggering spiritual anguish that can be difficult to understand.
The purpose of counselling after abortion is to help you understand and heal from the impact of abortion on your body, soul and spirit, your life and your relationships. The after effects of abortion can be confusing, unexpected and overwhelming for both women and men. Many of those who experience an abortion are left feeling shocked with complicated grief, emptiness, inner conflict, self-loathing, regret, shame and guilt.
Narelle Williams, Bethesda’s Counsellor and Grief Recovery Therapist, understands, cares and is experienced with walking alongside those who need to find healing and peace from their abortion experience. Narelle understands the pain that abortion often injects into a person’s life and believes that the pathway for healing and recovery involves a significant spiritual journey. Counselling is Christian focused, non-judgemental, sensitive and offered individually and for couples.
If you have had an abortion and are hurting, your feelings are normal. If you thought things would go back to normal but they haven’t, there is hope. You can expect compassionate and non- judgemental support in your healing journey, with a strong spiritual focus on healing from guilt and shame.
“From my many years of experience in walking alongside the post abortive individual, I have found that grief is usually complicated and difficult to fully resolve without allowing Jesus into your recovery journey. If you come for counselling with me, you will be invited into a process of deep reflection on your understanding of your spirituality, acceptance of what cannot be changed and encouraged to give yourself permission to grieve and be connected to your lost child/ren. You will be gently supported as you most likely discover that you need something far more powerful than empathy or self-forgiveness to set you free from your pain and anguish.” (Narelle Williams)
Perhaps you can relate to some of these common experiences after abortion…..
- Guilt/shame/regret
- Depression
- Anxiety and/or panic attacks
- Frequent crying
- Anger/rage
- An overwhelming sense of loss
- Loss of self esteem
- Feeling like you are falling apart
- Having trouble concentrating
- Feeling alone & isolated; as though no one understands
- Self hatred
- Confused
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Emotional numbness
- Unnecessary risk taking, increased promiscuity
- Intense desire to become pregnant again
- Anorexia or other eating issues
- Difficulty bonding with current children
- Intense fear of babies
- Suicidal urges
- Drug/alcohol abuse
- Nightmares/flashbacks
- Disturbed sleep or insomnia
- Headaches
- Relationship problems &/or parenting problems
- Abdominal pain and gastrointestinal problems
- Physical complaints related to the reproductive system
At Bethesda, counselling sessions offer you a safe and supportive space and a window of opportunity for you to get back on track and find your peace and healing of mind, heart and soul. Together, we can walk that road that will lead you out of the darkness and ease your suffering. Narelle has helped many individuals and couples walk through the painful aftermath of abortion.
Don’t suffer alone in shame and silence any longer. Make an appointment today for your post abortion counselling sessions and begin to find your healing and freedom.
“Abortion is such a profound event in one’s life, that one must either thoughtfully integrate it into one’s life or fearfully suppress it. Neither is easy. The former requires great fortitude and honesty. The latter is simply unhealthy. It is a fundamental principle of psychiatry that suppression of emotions is the cause of numerous psychological and physical ailments. Suppressed feelings create their own internal pressures, sap emotional energy, and cause turmoil in one’s life until it bursts forth in a way which can no longer be ignored.” The Post Abortion Review. “Women Who Abort: Their Reflections on the Unborn”. Vol 4, No. 1, p4. Elliot Institute.