Reproductive Justice & Informed Consent

July 5, 2022

Dear Client or Potential Client, 

As social workers and counselors licensed in the state of Ohio, we are required to provide you with the opportunity for fully informed consent for any risks, benefits, and limitations of our work together. We are also bound by ethics and morality, and it is with these things in mind as well as genuine care for you that we want to inform you about how anti-abortion legislation and any other policy that restricts your body autonomy and self-determination may impact our work together. 

You have probably heard that Roe v. Wade has been overturned by the Supreme Court and in Ohio, abortion access is being rapidly restricted. We are proactively monitoring relevant legislation to bring you the best possible care and that is not limited to abortion bans - we are also monitoring related legislative attacks on bodily autonomy like bans on gender-affirming care.

 

Your safety and comfort in sharing with your provider is important and we will do everything in our power to maximize it, and we also understand that there may be things you choose to withhold because you do not feel safe. We want you to know that you are always welcome to ask your provider questions about what will happen to the information you choose to share with them in therapy, and we will answer.
 

Questions for our organization or your specific provider might include, but are not limited to:

  • Can I share with you if I have already, or am considering seeking abortion care or have had a miscarriage?

  • If I do decide to discuss pregnancy or pregnancy outcomes with you, how will these be documented?

  • Are you able to provide referrals or informational resources regarding abortion access?

  • Are you able to provide referrals or informational resources on pregnancy prevention?

  • Are you comfortable talking about abortion?

  • What is your stance on abortion access?


We are committed to you and your care, and if our answers to the questions above cause you concern, we will work with you to find a source of care that is a better fit.          
 

Sincerely,

Amanda Kostura, LISW-S

Founder and President

Carve Your Own Path, Inc.