Woman-Centered Postabortion Care

1
Woman-Centered Postabortion Care
2
Counseling
3
Purpose

• This module describes the knowledge, skills and
  attitudes counselors need to provide effective
  counseling to diverse women seeking PAC services.

4
Objectives

• At the end of this module, learners will be able
  to
• Define basic elements of PAC counseling
• Examine how counselors values, attitudes and
  empathy impact counseling
• Identify effective communication techniques

5
Objectives (cont.)

• Identify possible feelings of women seeking PAC
  services
• Describe effective counseling techniques
• Describe how counselors should make referrals to
  other services

6
Effective PAC Counseling

• Explore feelings, coping, decisions
• Identify special needs
• Improve woman-provider relationships
• Less painful treatment
• Greater satisfaction
• May reduce psychological difficulties

7
Explore the Womans Feelings
8
Counseling Is

• Soliciting the womans feelings, thoughts
• Accepting the womans perceptions, feelings
• Respecting confidentiality
• Voluntary
• Focused on the womans needs
• Communicating effectively
• Supporting the womans decisions

9
Counseling Isnt

• Giving advice
• Mainly informing
• Influencing the womans attitudes, behaviors

10
Definition of Counseling

• Counseling involves a structured interaction
  where a woman receives emotional support and
  guidance from a trained person in an environment
  that is conducive to openly sharing her thoughts,
  feelings and perceptions.

11
Counseling
12
When Should Counseling Take Place?

• Before, during and after the procedure
• Should ideally precede treatment

13
Who Can Provide Counseling?

• Staff member/clinician with training or
  appropriate background
• Ideally, staff designated specifically as
  counselors

14
Primary Role of a PAC Counselor

• Help her clarify thoughts, feelings, decisions
• Ensure she receives answers to questions
• Refer her to additional services if necessary

15
PAC Counseling Challenges

• The womans conflicting feelings
• Lack of adequate time
• Her medical state
• Different cultures, languages

16
Three Elements of PAC Counseling

• Privacy
• Confidentiality
• Informed decision-making

17
Ensure Privacy

• Provide counseling where no one can see or hear
• Others participate only with the womans prior
  permission

18
Ensure Confidentiality

• Inform her that all information is confidential
• Information is not released without her
  authorization

19
Ensure Informed Decisionmaking

• She makes decisions freely after she understands
  complete, accurate information.

20
Counseling

• Can help the woman explore feelings about her
  condition
• Support her ability to make informed decisions

21
The Empathetic Counselor

• Listens and is genuine
• Understands the womans feelings
• Shows caring
• Responds honestly
• Is friendly, helpful

22
Active Listening

• Is more than just hearing
• Uses multiple senses to gather information,
  convey understanding, encourage communication
• Avoids dismissive phrases

23
Verbal Communication

• Open-ended questions
• Reflecting feelings

24
Nonverbal Communication

• Body gestures
• Facial expressions

25
Effective Communication

• Stay attentive
• Use nonverbal cues to convey concern
• Ask open-ended questions
• Use encouraging words
• Pay close attention to the woman's spoken words
• Observe her nonverbal cues
• Help her explore her feelings

26
Effective Communication
27
Making Referrals
28
Closing a Counseling Session

• Summarize key concepts
• Ensure that the woman understands
• Provide written instructions or referrals
• Explain what to expect during clinic visits

29
Illustrations by Stephen C. Edgerton