Abortion and mental health: What therapists need to know

Unwanted pregnancy and abortion are common life events, and therapists are likely to work with clients who experience them. Legal abortion currently entails little physical or mental health risk most women currently cope effectively with these life events Without need of clinical intervention. But current abortion politics include efforts to make abortion a more threatening, stressful, and stigmatized experience and to create a "postabortion syndrome." Using a stress and coping framework, we examine how antiabortion activists spread myths and misinformation aimed at women's appraisal processes, and discuss approaches therapists call use to enhance women's strategies for coping with abortion. We also discuss specific issues and useful techniques for counseling about abortion concerns, including Cultural sensitivity and strategies for promoting positive Sexual health. (C) 2004 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.