At CHOICES, we acknowledge the distress, anguish, and very great sadness that our patients may experience throughout their visit, their circumstances, and their lives.
Grief, as defined by Merriam Webster, is “deep and poignant distress caused by or as if by bereavement.”
Grief, as defined by the American Psychological Association, is “the anguish experienced after significant loss, usually the death of a beloved person.”
The Cambridge English Dictionary says that grief is “very great sadness.”
A multitude of emotions, thoughts, and perspectives can coexist when it comes to abortion, pregnancy loss, and loss more broadly defined. Not everyone will experience feelings of grief and loss related to abortion. Research suggests that relief is one of the most common emotions reported immediately after an abortion.
And, it is important to honor the reality that abortion and pregnancy loss can lead to a kind of grief that is not widely acknowledged, accepted, or honored. Included in this experience of unacknowledged grief is the loss of possibility, of what could have been, if only things were different.
CHOICES honors “disenfranchised grief”, or grief that is invisible, stigmatized, or invalidated by others. Our patients’ experiences of grief may not be widely understood, but at CHOICES, we understand. We are here to bear witness to the grief others may not be willing or able to see.
CHOICES’ licensed counselors and certified doulas are highly experienced in working with those experiencing grief—stigmatized and otherwise. They are here to walk alongside our patients as they go through a range of complex emotions. The grieving process is not linear, and common ideas of “closure” or “acceptance” may feel empty or out-of-reach. Rather than providing platitudes and cliches, CHOICES counselors and doulas serve as companions in the ongoing process of integrating experiences of grief into our patients’ daily lives.
As trauma-informed providers, we know that there are many intersecting sources of grief that one may experience throughout her life. The nature of one’s trauma, loss, oppression, lack of safety, and so on, can strongly impact how one grapples and copes with grief.
No two patients’ experiences will be the same. And, this doesn’t mean one needs to grieve alone. At CHOICES, we provide non-judgmental, unbiased, compassionate support that honors the complicated and often unseen emotions that can arise during this process.
We are here to hold space for our patients, and we feel it is an honor to do so.
We see you and we hear you. Thank you for trusting us with your care.
Our team of board-certified medical professionals and support staff offer safe, trusted, comprehensive care and services at the highest level. Our state-of-the-art facility is located in the heart of Jamaica Queens, NY.
Schedule an appointment with CHOICES today.
