On May 10th, we had the pleasure of hosting Julie Bindeman, PsyD, for our first Tuesday Tea with Touchstone! As a reproductive psychology expert, Dr. Bindeman shared valuable insights into the impact of abortion access in the US on clients and practitioners, as well as resources for continuing education and support.
Here are some of the key takeaways from Dr. Bindeman's presentation:
Abortion access is not just a political issue, but a mental health issue.
The recent wave of restrictive abortion laws in the US can have a chilling effect and providers need to be aware of how this can impact clients as well as their own emotional well-being. Every client may be impacted differently, and it's crucial for practitioners to remain attuned to their specific needs and circumstances.
How do we regulate our emotions when discussing abortion with clients? It's important to have a clear sense of what you can say as a therapist, what level of risk you're comfortable with, and to have a supportive network of colleagues to turn to for guidance.
Reproductive health is a continuum.
Practitioners must be equipped to support clients throughout the full spectrum of reproductive experiences - not just occurrences during pregnancy and postpartum, but prior to conception as well; and this may include abortion care.