Masterclasses-Supporting an Unplanned Pregnancy- 2013-2014
The HSE Sexual Health & Crisis Pregnancy Programme in conjunction with the Department of Adult and Communication Education, National University of Ireland Maynooth has provided, for the third consecutive year a number Masterclasses in Dublin and Cork.
Masterclasses 1: The Law and Crisis Pregnancy Counselling
Masterclasses 2: Advanced Counselling Skills
Masterclasses 3: Termination: Dealing with complex issues
The purpose of the Masterclasses is to provide a safe space for professionals to talk about their experience, and learning needs in dealing with a crisis pregnancy of their client, student, or patient. For some it is their full time role, for others they encounter this as part of their work.
The Masterclass creates an opportunity for professionals to gain more in-depth knowledge and skills to resource them in managing the challenges that can present around supporting women experiencing unplanned pregnancy, their partners and families.
The range of social care and health professionals coming to the Masterclasses has increased from dedicated crisis pregnancy counsellors in 2009, to now including GPs, Practice Nurses, Social workers, Youth workers, Care workers, Psychotherapists with more than 50 people in total have attending the three workshops.
The Masterclass ‘Advanced Counselling Skills’ was presented to a mix of Counsellors from a number of CPP HSE funded agencies. It provided a space for Counsellors engaged in this work in order to refresh their skills and learn from one another using role play and case study exercises.
The Masterclass ‘The law and Crisis Pregnancy’ examines the complexity of the law regarding crisis pregnancy and also how it relates to young persons under the age of 18. This workshop was led by Jenny Bulbulia Barrister at Law who presented the law in a manner that was accessible, understandable and relevant to the professional working as a counsellor and more generally in the health and social care setting. One participant said that ‘’I have learned so much and can now feel supported and informed and have a sense of integration between the law and therapy’’
The Masterclass ‘Termination – A complex decision’ was led with skill, sensitivity and clarity by Sherie de Burgh, Director of Counselling at One Family.
These Masterclasses have provided a safe space for those working in the field to share and learn together and gain a renewed sense of their own courage and professionalism.
The Masterclass series further support the work of the HSE Sexual Health & Crisis Pregnancy Programme in the area of quality and standards development and in the broader field of supporting clients with an unplanned pregnancy.
For more information contact: Department of Adult and Community Education, Tel 01 708 6062 or contact: Janice Donlon, HSE Sexual Health & Crisis Pregnancy Programme, Tel 01 8146292
