Abortion Recovery is a counseling specialty that helps individuals and families overcome the emotional trauma experienced after an abortion. Recovery is often free, always confidential and is available to ANYONE impacted by the loss of a child by abortion. Abortion Recovery changes your life forever.  It gives you a sense of personal peace which heals internal brokenness, repairs relationships and brings back intimate friendships.  Recovery gives a new beginning to life following an abortion.

Who should consider recovery

If you have experienced an abortion, or been involved with someone who has, you may be struggling to come to peace with that decision. Many are affected by after abortion trauma:

• the woman who had the abortion,
• the person who paid for an abortion
• children that were told their lives would be easier because a younger sibling was aborted
• the friend who drove a woman to the clinic pregnant, and back home "un" pregnant
• the dad whose wife/girlfriend chose abortion against his better judgement, consent or even without his knowledge
• a school counselor who scheduled the appointment for the pregnant cheerleader
• the coach that didn't want his athletes' scholarship compromised
• the grandparent who talked, supported or drove their daughter to the abortion or may not even had known of their son/daughter's pregnancy.
• a family member, friend, counselor or clergy, who tried to talk a mother/father out of an abortion, and failed
• the nurse, clinic worker or abortion doctor who later regrets their participation in taking the lives of the unborn

Any of these people might suffer from after abortion trauma. YOU could suffer too! For many, emotions surface after the abortion experience, due to unresolved psychological, physical and spiritual aspects. Symptoms are similar to those in any post traumatic stress disorder.

Review our trauma checklist and see if you might be affected by after abortion trauma.

Where to go for help

Let us help you find a program or provider near you.

Since the 1980s, psychologists, couselors and those who've experienced the pain of abortion have recognized the great need for what many call "post-abortion healing."  From this recognition, a movement of Abortion Recovery has sprung forth and is now widely offered by:

• Churches
• Pregnancy Resource Centers
• Counselors; and
• Professional Therapists

Many abortion recovery programs are free services to invididuals.  All are confidential and offer hope to those who hurt.

Find a Specialist

Some words to the wise from Theresa Burke, PhD, founder of Rachel's Vineyard and co-author with David Reardon of Forbidden Grief: The Unspoken Pain of Abortion:

"Post-abortion healing is a specialty unto itself. The average psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker or counselor of any other academic stripe who does not understand post-abortion issues can often inflict more harm than good on the unsuspecting woman. Many may believe they have enough insight to help, but unless they have had additional training, they often don't. Certainly, if your thoughts and feelings become so overwhelming that you feel you can no longer cope, seek professional assistance immediately. But generally, I encourage you to take the time to find one of the growing number of professional therapists and experienced lay counselors who have received special training in post-abortion healing."

If you have tried a particular therapist or support group, and you are still regularly experience one or more of the symptoms below in relation to abortion, then we would urge you to try a different program or therapist. 

• Flashbacks or nightmares
• Compulsive thoughts and feelings that started after the abortion
• Suicidal thoughts or feelings
• Depression or anxiety
• Lack of attachment to your children
• Self-hatred
• Shame
• Social isolation
• Relationship difficulties
• Compulsive or addictive behaviors that started after abortion

The purpose of this website is to help YOU find one of those programs.  Abortion Recovery InterNational works on your behalf to qualify abortion recovery programs across the globe and create a directory of trusted providers so that you can find freedom from your past and healing for the hurt you feel.

PLEASE KEEP TRYING until you find a compassionate therapist or program that works for you!

Abortion recovery will change your life.  You'll find yourself free from things you didn't even know were related to your abortion.  Lives are restored, couples reconciled and families reconnected.