SUMMARY POINTS

Skills

• Elicit and respond to each person’s unique needs, preferences, and disability-related accommodations to support their decision-making process.
• Be aware of and avoid assumptions. Explore how bias may arise and review strategies for self-reflection.
• Be mindful of tone, terminology, and body language.
• Ask for, document, and use a person’s name, pronouns, and preferred anatomical terminology; ensure staff use affirming language.
• Before an appointment, ask about and record any access needs or accommodations; ensure staff are prepared to provide accommodations to ensure equitable care and counseling. Consider what a universal-design approach might look like in your setting, so that people do not need to specifically identify and request accommodations.
• Use open-ended questions and nonjudgmental listening.
• Allow time for people to reflect, ask questions, and talk to trusted individuals as needed.

Safety

• Screen for coercion, intimate partner violence, and human trafficking, and provide local resources as appropriate.
• Consider the risk of criminalization to people seeking care, providers, and anyone involved in reproductive care when addressing mandated reporting.

Role

• Focus attention on the person seeking care in conversations throughout the visit.
• Support people’s preferences, knowing when and how to refer for services beyond what you can provide.
• Confirm that the desired pregnancy outcome is determined freely and without coercion. Provide the opportunity for each person to be seen alone and to involve a support person when requested and feasible.
• Understand that obtaining an abortion and experiencing pregnancy loss are not crimes and that avoiding unnecessary reporting can avert criminalization of pregnant people.