What Therapists Need to Know about Abortion and Termination for Medical Reasons: An Interview with Jane Armstrong
Curt and Katie interview Jane Armstrong, LCSW, a clinical social worker in Texas, about terminating a wanted pregnancy for medical reasons. We look at the impacts of the overturn of Roe v Wade on reproductive care. We also dig into what termination for medical reasons (TFMR) is, how society stigmatizes these parents, and what therapists can do to effectively support clients facing this decision and the outcome of TFMR.
Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!
An Interview with Jane Armstrong, LCSW-S, PMH-C
Jane is a termination for medical reasons (TFMR) mom, native Texan, & clinical social worker certified in perinatal mental health. Following the birth & death of her first child, Frankie, through TFMR, Jane opened Both/And Therapy, PLLC to provide individual therapy & support groups to other TFMR parents. These services aim to support clients through the unique barriers & grief of ending a wanted pregnancy, particularly in the state of Texas where such care is no longer accessible. She’s passionate about building community, eliminating shame, & honoring grief for TFMR families.
In this podcast episode, we talk about Termination for Medical Reasons (TFMR)
In the wake of Roe v. Wade being overturned, we reached out to Jane Armstrong, LCSW-S, PMH-C who specializes in TFMR and is based out of Texas, a state with some of the biggest barriers to this type of medical, reproductive care.
What are the clinical impacts on individuals who are considering or who have had an abortion?
- Trauma related to pregnancy as well as abortion
- The differences between ending wanted and unwanted pregnancies
- The shame – societal and internalized
What therapists can get wrong when interacting with the topic of abortion
- Unexamined bias related to abortion
- TFMR – is baby loss and TFMR parents are entitled to grief
- Disenfranchised grief and traumatic loss
The impact of anti-abortion legislation on patients considering abortion and TFMR
- Lack of access to all types of medical care
- Logistics related to getting access to medical care
- The emotional impact of continuing to carry a pregnancy when it is known that the baby will die
- How late parents can find out about medical concerns that mean that TFMR is indicated
- The lack of time to make a decision
What is Termination For Medical Reasons (TFMR)?
- Terminating a pregnancy due to health issues with the pregnant person or with the baby
- For the pregnant person: fatal Hyperemesis Gravidarum, requirement for treatment, mental health conditions
- For the baby: 12 week genetic screenings or subsequent testing, scans, etc. can point out chromosomal abnormalities, neural tube deficits
How can therapists work with TFMR clients?
- The conflict between the laws and a clinician’s own ethics
- Make sure your clients know you will be a support resource to them
- The importance of the client being able to tell their story
- Recognizing that TFMR is typically not talked about and opening space for these clients
- Trauma, grief, loss – sitting with the client with their hard stuff
- Helping clients to make this impossible decision
- Affirming parenthood and the challenge of the decision
- Decision versus “choice” and the ways in which bias can enter the conversation about decision-making
