The phrase “Cura Cares” may be familiar to you in your role as a healthcare professional. Patients who may present for consultation for can be referred to Cura if you feel they may benefit from the services offered. These services include:
- Counselling and Support for Unplanned or Crisis Pregnancy
- Post-abortion Counselling
- Support and Counselling for Parents of a New Baby
- Services are all available to both women and men, and to grandparents, guardians and other family members.
About Cura Counselling
Cura counselling is free of charge, confidential*, and without pressure, direction, or judgement, for as long as a client needs.
There are no waiting lists, and clients can access services directly – clients do not need a referral letter or report. Cura is funded by and operates under the mandate of the HSE’s Crisis Pregnancy Programme. We offer counselling in our centres across Ireland, in outreach facilities, or alternatively via our national helpline on 1850 622 626 from anywhere in the country. If there is no Cura centre located in your area, appointments can also be arranged locally to suit.
To view Cura Client Information that may be of help to you in referring a client to Cura, click here. If you'd like to download a printable copy of our Client Information Brochure you can do so here.
Referrals
All counsellors work within their role as Cura counsellors, providing Cura services. Our role is not to diagnose or to provide medical services. If a situation arises where a client may need services in addition to those we can provide, we will make relevant referrals and support the client in accessing the services he/she may require.
In response to requests for abortion services information Cura counsellors will refer clients to their own GP or to the HSE list of local GPs.
Information on Counsellor Training
All Cura counsellors have engaged with an application and selection process, which involves an interview and group assessment process. Successful candidates are then offered a place on the Cura Crisis Pregnancy Counselling training programme. The training programme consists of 92 contact hours with an experienced trainer who is an accredited psychotherapist. The training includes presentations relating to concepts relevant to the Person Centred Counselling model, counselling skills practice, personal awareness and development as well as inputs relating to relevant policies and procedures.
Trainees who successfully complete the Cura training programme consolidate their learning over a further six-month period with the support of a more experienced crisis pregnancy counsellor. On successful completion of this six-month practice training period the trainee is deemed a qualified crisis pregnancy counsellor. Counsellors receive on-going support and supervision and undertake regular training in continuing professional development.
About Cura Post-Abortion Counselling
Some people experience a range of emotions after an abortion, and may cope with their situation and emotions in different ways. For someone who needs to talk, we are here to listen. Cura Post Abortion Counsellors are trained to deliver a professional service that is based on a Person Centred Approach. This method of counselling allows space and time for the client to move forward in a way that is right for them. We acknowledge that everybody has different needs and our Post Abortion Counsellors are available to respond to the uniqueness of each client.
The service is free of charge, confidential*, and without pressure, direction, or judgement, for as long as a client needs. Counselling after an abortion is available to the client for as long as she/he needs the support. There is no time limit. If a client feels she/he needs to take a break they are always welcome to link in again with the service. This allows the client time for reflection and gives them space to journey through the counselling process at their individual pace.
A client can attend counselling soon after an abortion or at any point, even after many years.
In Cura, counselling and support after an abortion is provided by trained and experienced counsellors, by appointment.
Information on Post-Abortion Counsellor Training
All Post Abortion Counsellors engage in a specialised professional training over a period of approx. 1 year. Only counsellors who have fully completed the Cura Crisis Pregnancy Training Programme can apply for a place on the Post Abortion Counselling Training Programme. The process involves submitting a detailed application followed by a group assessment & an individual interview. Following successful completion of this process the applicant is then offered a place on the Post Abortion Training Programme.
The programme is facilitated by external accredited professional trainers and the process is one of on-going assessment. The applicants engage in midway evaluations and a final evaluation on completion.
On completion of the training all Post Abortion Counsellors engage in regular supervision and attend a least 2 modules of Continuous Professional Development every year to support their work in this area.
Cura services can be accessed over the phone via the national helpline on 1850 622 626, and face-to-face in Cura centres across Ireland, or locally by appointment.