Women's Reproductive Mental Health & Justice Home Study (3 CEs)

Reproductive rights and justice for women, believed to have been won in 1973 with Roe v Wade, has a much longer history that remains unsettled up until today. Marginalized populations and those with few economic resources continue to have disparities in access to competent health services in all areas especially reproductive health. Sexuality and gender issues are regulated by politicians and religious leaders rather than health care practitioners, often based on myths and misinformation. Women continue to die unnecessarily in childbirth even in industrialized countries. Research on prevention and termination of unwanted pregnancies demonstrate the safety of surgical and medical abortion yet the laws continue to restrict women’s choice. The new reproductive technologies allow women to become a mother who otherwise might have remained infertile. Mental health clinicians need to have accurate information and know how to assess women’s competency in making these decisions. A recent research study showed that over half of psychologists and graduate students surveyed did not have accurate information necessary to counsel clients about reproductive health and abortion. Many had similar stigma about abortion and failed to address the issue with their clients leaving it to specialty clinics, many of which give false and politically motivated information. This workshop will attempt to close the gap and provide the information needed to counsel around reproductive health, justice, contraception, abortion, and assisted reproductive technologies. Participants will learn how to assess and build client’s competency in decision-making as well as assess their emotional stability. This webinar will provide the requisite knowledge, assessment and counseling skills needed to assist clients who face these sometimes life-changing decisions.