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Who Are My friends Now?

The Importance of Counseling and Support Groups

There are so many options with an unplanned pregnancy that it is hard to know where to start. That is where counselors can be a big help, because they are like the crystal ball you have never had when you need all the answers to life.

There is nothing magical in what counselors do; they just rely on experience to offer lots of answers and suggestions that you may not find elsewhere. Most important, they are concerned about what is best for you.

What will they say to me?
The first thing counselors want to do is make sure you are taken care of. They will look at your circumstances and try to help you decide what is best for you. For the most part, counselors are pretty objective. They try to be like a human bulletin board—informational, friendly and helpful.

Have you ever asked for someone’s honest opinion, heard it, and hated it? Well, counselors may give you opinions or advice you do not like. If you go to see your counselor knowing beforehand what you want to hear, you can count on a clash or two.

Some professional counselors may have biases for or against particular options. Counselors who are more likely to offer an unbiased opinion may be found at a high school, a college health center, or at a pregnancy counseling center, or even a family planning clinic (found in the yellow pages under “Pregnancy Counseling and Information”, “Abortion Alternatives”, or “Adoption”). You can also call Options Magazine at 1-866-OPT-MAGS for a free referral to a qualified counselor in your area.

Approaching a counselor should be like making a new friend. His or her job is not just to lay out your options, but to help you make it through all the emotional and mental blows you may receive.

What if a counselor can’t help?
Your counselor will not have all the answers. But one thing a good counselor can do is refer you to a support group in your area. In a support group, you will find other women who are facing the same problems you are. They might have some suggestions you may not get from a counselor.

You may also already have a natural support group in your own circle of family and friends. That is really important not only before but after pregnancy. Nevertheless, you may find that it is easier to talk about your decisions and frustrations with someone in a pregnancy support group who has a lot in common with you.

Facing these issues may seem extremely difficult at times. And though no one can solve problems for you, you can find a friend in a counselor who will help you through your pregnancy experience.

“...they are like the crystal ball you have never had when you need all the answers to life”.

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