COUNSELING SERVICES

Lovejoy is one of the few abortion providers in the country that provides one-on-one counseling with patients prior to the abortion procedure. Many providers consider consent review counseling, but at Lovejoy that is only a part of the counseling. Patients are given the opportunity to discuss their feelings about the pregnancy, discuss their decision making process, discuss issues of grief or guilt and review birth control options should they choose to terminate.

Each patient is given the opportunity to have their medical records forwarded on to their primary physician. Included in the record is information about the visit, operative summary and information about birth control start-up.  This is only available upon the patient’s request.

Decision Making Counseling

Lovejoy's counseling staff provides All-Options Counseling for $50.00 per session ($150 if an ultrasound is desired), which can be applied to any further services provided at Lovejoy. During counseling, women are given the opportunity to share their feelings about pregnancy and given skills to help them reach their own choice. A partner or support person is welcome to participate in the counseling session and often self-help workbooks and articles are available.

If choosing to parent, information and referrals are available for pre-natal care and parenting classes. Adoption counseling includes the range of options available for women choosing to pursue an adoption. If choosing an abortion, the woman is given information about the types of procedures available as well as options for medications during the procedure.

Adoption Program

Women that are considering adoption are given the option of working with one of the local agencies or working with a private local attorney to prepare for an adoption.  The law firm we refer our patients to is one of Oregon’s premier family law firms.  Open and closed adoption programs are available. There is no cost at any time for women interested in adoption.

Lovejoy Surgicenter is not an adoption agency. Instead, we work with the attorneys to provide pre-placement counseling, birth preparation and unlimited free follow-up counseling after the placement of a child for adoption.  If choosing adoption, the birthmom or birthparents will review portfolios and choose an adoptive family to work with.  These families are selected and pre-screened by the attorneys and are not affiliated with Lovejoy Surgicenter.

If a woman determines she is not ready to raise a child and is interested in adoption, she begins with meeting with an adoption advocate and an attorney to address all legal issues.  She will go home with profiles of families wanting to adopt, families which have already passed financial and social background checks.  Most of the families which are presented have fertility issues and cannot have children on their own.

Once birthparents and adoptive parents are united, legally enforceable contracts for ongoing visits are created, lasting until the child reaches 18 years of age.  The average number of visits is 2-4 per year.  It is our experience that these families work to create their own community to mutually support the child and families involved.  If closed adoption is preferred, these contracts are also discussed.

“Thank you for helping me through these past few months.  Because of you all these wonderful things are happening.  You gave both my daughter and myself lives where we can both be happy.  You helped me to find a wonderful doctor and most of all because of you I found T and D (adoptive parents).  Even though we still chat I just wanted to say thank you so much!”

Post Abortion Counseling

Each woman reacts differently to having an abortion. Feelings range from relief to grief. Women seen at Lovejoy Surgicenter for abortions can return for post abortion counseling at no additional cost. During counseling, women are encouraged to discuss their feelings about their decision-making and post abortion range of emotions. There are several professional counselors, resource books, internet blogs and counseling groups available that can be given for self-help.