Informing Choices NI - Pregnancy Choices Counselling
Sometimes when faced with an unplanned or crisis pregnancy it is difficult to discuss it with family and friends. This can leave you feeling vulnerable and isolated at a time when you need support. We can help you by providing:
- Non-directive counselling and support
- Information on ALL your options
Non-directive pregnancy counselling
Informing Choices NI provides a non-directive pregnancy choices counselling, support and information service. This means the counsellor has no opinion about what is best for you, and is there to provide a confidential, non-judgmental and safe place for you to explore feelings around your pregnancy, and the options that are open to you i.e. continuing with the pregnancy, abortion and adoption.
Counselling offers a safe place to talk about anything that may be confusing, painful or uncomfortable. It’s often a relief to talk openly to someone you don’t know about the issues you face and can also be an opportunity to help you prepare what you may want to discuss with family or friends.
Counselling can be a one-off appointment or regular sessions to discuss the range of issues you have in more detail.
Confidentiality
We know that privacy is important to you. We offer a confidential counselling service and will not discuss anything about you outside of Informing Choices NI without your consent, except in exceptional circumstances. These limitations to confidentiality will be discussed with you in more detail, however in brief:
Informing Choices NI counsellors may decide that sharing relevant information outside of the organisation is necessary because you (or someone you know) are at serious risk of harm. In this situation the counsellor will discuss with you what information, with who and why it is being shared.
I am under 18, will you tell my parents/carer I have contacted Informing Choices NI?
Informing Choices NI counsellors will encourage you to seek additional support from your parent/carer or another responsible adult (over 25). We understand that you may be worried about telling a parent/carer and we can support you with this.
If you are under 16, when calling to arrange your appointment you will be advised that we require your parent/carer or another responsible adult to accompany you to your counselling session and remain in our waiting room while your appointment is taking place. This individual can join towards the end of the session if you decide this would be helpful.
Will my doctor be told that I have contacted Informing Choices NI?
Prior to contacting Informing Choices NI, you may already be receiving other professional support. If this is the case, the counsellor will discuss with you what information (if any) may be important for you to share with health professionals or other people involved in your life, such as a social worker, psychiatrist or GP.
To make an appointment with one of our counsellors please call 028 9031 6101.