Some people wrestle with feelings of guilt and shame after having an abortion.  They’re not always cautioned about emotional risks before the procedure, but it’s true that some individuals experience regret.  Maybe you can relate.  Perhaps you’ve tried to accept this part of your past and move on, but you can’t seem to reconcile your choice in your own heart and mind.  It’s possible that you’ve been attempting to do this for years with little to no progress.

Needless to say, unresolved guilt can be very emotionally painful.  It can feel like a heavy burden that you can’t seem to lift, no matter how hard you struggle.  Shame can also rob you of your joy in the present.  Have you been fighting back uncomfortable feelings about your abortion for a long time?  (If so, you are not alone).  Maybe you’ve even tried to absolve your guilt by attempting to compensate for the past, leading you to engage in unhealthy behaviors that have ended up causing more harm.

Here’s the good news:  It’s possible to find true and lasting healing!  That’s exactly what we strive to help women and men accomplish at Restore After Abortion.  Restore is a post-termination emotional support program that’s designed to help people who’ve been negatively impacted by an abortion reflect on their experiences, get to the heart of what’s troubling them, and discover peace of mind.  We engage participants using our abortion recovery materials and volunteer sessions in either a one-on-one or small group format.

Does it feel like you’ve been “running in place” in your efforts to reconcile the past and move forward with your life?  Does it seem like you’ve been wearing yourself out without actually getting anywhere?  Take a rest and try something different.  Consider trying Restore.  You may find that you’ve been misguided in your attempts to forgive yourself, and that the key to finding healing is different than you’d expected.

Reach out to Restore!  We understand your frustration and exhaustion.  We offer a safe space to receive no-cost, confidential support. Restore has been privileged to provide this service to people from our own Chicagoland community and beyond for over 20 years.