Counseling

Each patient is provided the opportunity to process her feelings about her pregnancy, and together with the counselor, she will have the space to explore all of her options and alternatives to make the best choices for herself.

All patients are provided with educational information about birth control methods. By comparing different forms of birth control, the patient and the counselor will determine the right form of birth control. Together, the patient and the counselor will develop a personal plan to ensure that the patient takes her birth control method as often as is required. Additionally, the patient will learn how to refill a prescription and obtain a new one. She will also learn how to schedule appointments with her gynecologist as needed for routine care.

Patients will meet with a mental health professional to diagnose, address, and treat depression. Additionally, our counselors are trained to address internal issues of anxiety, stress, trauma, low self-esteem, grief; and can help cope with stress from external factors such as economic stability and relationships. If the patient’s emotional state is negatively affecting her ability to carry out her everyday routines, the counselor will guide her to appropriate referrals in the mental health community.

At CHOICES, we understand that a women’s experience with her partner can deeply affect her choices in reproductive health. Violence is so common in many woman’s lives, and because there is help available at CHOICES for woman being abused either physically, emotionally, or financially, we now ask every patient about domestic violence.

If a patient is struggling with addiction to alcohol and drugs, she can work with a counselor to identify the behaviors and problems that correspond to her addiction. The counselor will help the patient to understand how her addiction not only affects her entire person, but those around her. Together, they will develop a personalized recovery plan that will help establish healthy behaviors and provide coping strategies. Because recovering from addiction is a process, the counselor will refer the patient to a program within the patient’s community where she can receive consistent, quality care to address her addiction and work towards a drug-free life.