PACE Post Abortion Counseling Education
Are you dealing with a past abortion or thinking of getting an abortion? Would you like to listen to a heart that cares for those who are hurting A PACE leader.
Recently Alice (not her real name) took a very important step by coming to an initial meeting of the Post-Abortion Counseling and Education (PACE) group. She probably did so with fear, trembling, and mixed emotions, yet recognizing a need for healing in some area concerning her abortion. She may be feeling unsure if she really wants to look at the problem, let alone have others looking also. It is a vulnerable place to be.
Our role in the process is to support her, pray for her, and to be there to listen if and when she needs to talk. Encourage her to do her homework. Be willing to listen without judgment or condemnation if she wants to talk. She is going to be dredging up memories and pain that she has been avoiding. We do this only in order to help her resolve damaging emotions, and not in an effort to create trauma where none previously existed. Most women are in tremendous denial about the abortion, and no lasting healing can take place until she purposefully faces the past.
I thank you for allowing her to trust you with this sin that she has secretly carried for many years. One of the greatest fears some of the women have as they go through PACE is their church finding out. They are in such bondage. If and when she is willing to share her story with others, I pray you would give her the opportunity to share in a womans bible study, Sunday school class or Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. This can further her healing and speak to others who live with the trauma of abortion and feel there is no hope for them.
Please pray for Alice daily as she struggles with this issue. Even though there will always be ongoing memories for her, the same kind of sadness you would experience from time to time over the loss of a loved one. The goal of the PACE group is to help her go through a major and lasting healing, and to help her become the beautiful woman of God she was created to be.
The Crisis Pregnancy Center of Gaston County, Inc. is staffed by volunteers in the PACE program who have been trained to facilitate the Forgiven and Set Free Bible Study. These volunteers may or may not have degrees in counseling or be licensed by the State. Consequently, the Bible Study and PACE group is not intended as a substitute for professional counseling. Referrals will be made for professional counseling upon request or when deemed appropriate by the leader(s) of the Bible Study group. We offer information, counsel, and support. Participation in the PACE group is free.
All information is confidential and is only for the use of the leader of the PACE program and the Director of Client Services. There are certain circumstances in which we would be compelled to break confidentiality: if we believe you are at a high risk for suicide, if you are under 18 and are a victim of sexual/physical abuse, if we believe you intend to harm another person, or if we believe you are in need of hospitalization for a psychiatric disorder. Additionally, the information on this intake could possibly be used for research. Please know that any information taken from this form will be used without your name attached to ensure your complete privacy.
Here are some of the symptoms of Post-Abortion Stress Syndrome:
- Guilt
- Depression
- Emotional numbness
- Sadness Dreams/nightmares/flashbacks
- Anxiety Change in relationships
- Suicidal ideas
- Inferiority feelings
- Abuse of alcohol/drugs
- Sleep disturbances
- Loneliness
- Sexual problems
- Sense of loss
- Trouble making friends
- Infertility
- Eating disorders
- Crying spells
- Panic feelings
- Regret
- Unable to relax
- Anger/rage
- Marital stress
- Fear of infertility
- Fatigue
- Helplessness
- Sighing
- Difficulty bonding with children
- Pre-occupation with abortion date or due date
- Loss of self-esteem
- Avoiding babies or things having to do with babies
If you would like more info call the Center at 704.867.3706. We are called to care for you.
At current rates, 43% of women by the time they reach the age of 45 will have had at least one abortion. Pray that more will find healing through the opportunities of Post Abortion Education and Counseling.
Who Will HELP If….
You are pregnant and your first thought is…”No, not me-oh, please-not me!” You are scared, angry…feeling alone. You feel sick and are wondering what to do. Your whole world is changing and you dont want to face it. You want yesterday! Who will listen, and who will understand what you are going through and how you are feeling…?
WE WILL!
Are You Considering An Abortion? We want you to be informed of abortion alternatives before you make this important decision.
Have You Had An Abortion?
If you need to work through some feelings or are hurting from a previous abortion, we provide individual or group post-abortion support. This service is available to men as well as women. Our PACE (Post Abortion Counseling and Education) groups are formed as needed throughout the year. The studies are divided into women only, men only or couples.