The Mission
Healing Hidden Hurts is a one-to-one peer ministry where women who understand what you are going through will help you to heal from your hidden wounds.
Through a 10-step process, we will help you look honestly at your past, see how your abortion has affected your present, and guide you to a future filled with peace and God’s loving mercy. If you have had some healing from your abortion, Healing Hidden Hurts encourages you to go deeper; to allow God’s healing mercy to fill your life and to free you from the pain and anxiety you may still experience. The God of mercies longingly waits for those fallen, to bind up their wounds, and to restore their dignity.
Through healing, women are encouraged to share the truth that abortion hurts everyone and to help foster a culture of life. For more information on how HHH was founded, please read 'The Founding and How You Can Help', a compilation of Debbie's works on how the ministry started. One can truly see the hand of God in this work.
Q & A
1. What is the Ten-Step Program?
It is a Christ-centered peer ministry for women. The Guidebook called, My Guilt, Grief and Shame is Ending Soon, is both a therapy model and a spiritual program. The Guidebook was created by the Victims of Choice ministry. The program was developed for a lay person to facilitate the second victim of abortion (mother) through an abortion reconciliation process.
2. What makes Debbie qualified to help me?
Debbie had an abortion herself in 1977. After many years of suffering, she experienced a religious conversion and felt called to post-abortion ministry. In search of a method, she attended training through Project Rachel (the Catholic Church’s ministry that operates as a network of healing). Soon after, Debbie was led, by the grace of God, to Victims of Choice (abortion recovery specialists), where she first encountered the Ten-Step model. She was led through the program, My Guilt, Grief and Shame is Ending Soon, and found healing. She received confirmation that this Ten-Step Program would serve as the model for her post-abortion ministry.
In 1998, she received training through Victims of Choice; then founded Healing Hidden Hurts in 1999. After gaining experience as a facilitator, Debbie received certification through Victims of Choice in 2005. Since that time, she has conducted several training sessions on, My Guilt, Grief and Shame is Ending Soon.
Since the inception of Healing Hidden Hurts, Debbie has facilitated this program for dozens of women. The uniqueness of each of these women’s experiences has provided Debbie with her current level of expertise. However, she is aware that while she may be the instrument, Jesus is the healer!
3. How does this post-abortion healing process differ from others?
Most abortion recovery programs are in group settings. While most of these programs are valid and do provide healing for many women, they do not meet the needs of all women. Women who are uncomfortable in a group setting, may be less inclined to speak freely of her experiences, thus limiting her healing. Healing Hidden Hurts is a one-to-one peer ministry. Each woman proceeds through the program with one facilitator.
In addition, because of the nature of group programs, an entire group of women goes through the same process together. Healing Hidden Hurts is an individualized program which allows the facilitator to address each woman’s specific needs. Each woman is provided an opportunity to remember, expel and grow in knowledge of herself and in relationship with Christ. The program adapts to each woman’s needs, meeting each where she is in her journey. The facilitator walks alongside to listen and guide her through the process.
Other programs are sometimes very brief. Women may spend one weekend at a retreat or attend a few short therapy sessions. Some women find that they need additional time to achieve true peace and a more complete healing. As an individualized program, Healing Hidden Hurts allows each woman to proceed at her own pace.
4. Why do women need to be healed?
For many women abortion is a traumatic experience. Also, most women keep abortions a secret. While temporary denial is useful in the midst of a crisis, long-term denial only compounds the trauma. These effects will surface again and again until she comes to terms with the abortion.
5. How do I know if I need help?
Sometimes, a woman is aware that she needs help to find healing after an abortion. However, many women do not realize the long-term impact of an abortion. One way to determine if you need help is to answer the Anger Questionnaire.
6. How much does this program cost?
Healing Hidden Hurts is a free program. The ministry is supported through donations.
7. Can only women come through this program?
Yes, this program is specifically designed for women who have experienced abortion.
8. How long does this program take?
Since the program is individualized, it can be adapted to fit each woman's schedule. If sessions are held weekly, the process will take approximately 4 months. If sessions are held less frequently, it will take longer. Since each abortion is addressed independently, a woman who has experienced multiple abortions may need more time. Each woman sets the rate for her healing.
9. I don't want anyone to know about my abortion. Is this process confidential?
Yes, this program is absolutely confidential.
10. I had an abortion 30 years ago. Is it too late to get help?
It’s never too late. Whenever you are ready to begin is the right time.
11. I don't live in Indianapolis. How can I get help?
Debbie is the only facilitator for the Healing Hidden Hurts ministry. However, there are women in other areas of Indiana and throughout the United States who are trained to facilitate this Ten-Step Program. Another option would be long-distance facilitation with Debbie via phone or Skype.
12. I know someone who is suffering because of a recent abortion. How can I help her?
Let her know you care about her. Inquire if she is eating, sleeping, and taking care of herself. Death rates following abortion are high during the first three years, either by accident or suicide. Give her information about abortion recovery options with contact information and offer to be a support person for her.
13. I have had an abortion. What books or CD’s would help me begin the healing process?
Debbie recommends two books which will help begin the process. Her Choice to Heal, by Sydna Masse & Joan Phillips, published by David C. Cook; and The Jericho Plan, by David Reardon PhD., Acorn Press.
A recommended CD is Feminism Misunderstood by Jane Brennan www.lighthousecatholicmedia.org
14. Do you have to be Catholic to go through this program?
No. This is a Christian program, not specifically Catholic. It was developed to be one size fits all. We open and close each session with scripture and prayer. Many sessions also use bible stories that relate to specific steps in the program.