As part of our work to empower individuals and communities, we offer comprehensive professional development training.
We deliver guest lectures to university and tertiary students, and coordinate the Unplanned Pregnancy and Abortion Conference every two years for professionals and students working in reproductive health.
Our training can also be delivered in your community or directly to your organisation (minimum of 10 participants).
For more information contact our Education and Training Coordinator Pamela Doherty or Project Officer Steph Chen, on 07 3357 9933 (ext 3) or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
2020 Training Calendar
Some sponsored places are available through our Regional Rural and Remote Abortion Access Project.
Priority for sponsored places will be given to regional/rural/remote professionals who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, work with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and communities or in an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait organisation. Contact our Education and Training Coordinator Pamela Doherty or Project Officer Steph Chen, on 07 3357 9933 (ext 3) or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information or to make a sponsorship application.
Unplanned pregnancy best practice counselling
(Full day)
This AASW CPD endorsed training provides participants with comprehensive knowledge and skills comprised of two elements: counselling practice and education. The training program incorporates current evidence-based information on all options - abortion (including medication and surgical methods), adoption and parenting - as well as key communication techniques with clients in practical setting. This workshop will:
• Set the scene for unplanned pregnancy, socio-legal context and orient participants to Children by Choice Queensland service;
• Describe unplanned pregnancy counselling in terms of evidence-based information on all options: abortion, adoption and parenting;
• Discuss best-practice counselling skills in non-directive unplanned pregnancy counselling;
• Discuss strategies and language to use in non-directive, unbiased counselling;
• Explore issues and consider values clarification in the context of decision-making and coping with decisions;
• Recognise the intersection of unplanned pregnancy, domestic violence and reproductive coercion when working with clients;
• Identify the need for post-abortion counselling and practitioner self-care
For 2020 dates and registrations:
Brisbane click here
Bundaberg click here
Cairns sponsored by Cairns Sexual Health Service; with presentation by Cairns Sexual Assault Service click here
Gold Coast click here
Townsville with presentation by The Womens Centre click here
Unplanned pregnancy best practice counselling
(3 hours)
This AASW CPD endorsed training provides participants with comprehensive knowledge and skills. The training program incorporates current evidence-based information on all options - abortion (including medication and surgical methods), adoption and parenting - as well as key communication techniques with clients. This workshop will:
• Set the scene for unplanned pregnancy, socio-legal context and orient participants to Children by Choice Queensland service;
• Describe unplanned pregnancy counselling in terms of evidence-based information on all options: abortion, adoption and parenting;
• Discuss best-practice counselling skills in non-directive unplanned pregnancy counselling;
• Discuss strategies and language to use in non-directive, unbiased counselling;
• Explore issues and consider values clarification in the context of decision-making and coping with decisions;
• Consider the intersection of unplanned pregnancy, domestic violence and reproductive coercion when working with clients;
• Consider the need for post-abortion counselling and practitioner self-care
For 2020 dates & registrations:
Brisbane click here
Redland click here
Rockhampton click here
Masterclass: Intersection of unplanned pregnancy, domestic violence, reproductive coercion & contraception options
(2 hours)
This AASW CPD endorsed training is an advanced practitioner workshop that explores domestic violence and reproductive coercion in the context of unplanned pregnancy decision-making. It will enhance understanding, assessment and referral pathways for health and allied health care and support practitioners who may provide unplanned pregnancy and post-abortion counseling or support clients who have ongoing case management or engagement with services.
For 2020 dates & registrations:
Brisbane click here
Gold Coast click here
Masterclass: Post-abortion counselling Resolution not recovery (2 hours)
This AASW CPD endorsed training is a specialized or advanced practitioner workshop that considers short-term counseling in the post-abortion context. It will enhance understanding of factors in resolution after an abortion, assessment and referral pathways for health and allied health care and support practitioners who may provide unplanned pregnancy or post-abortion counseling or in a case management context.
For 2020 dates & registrations:
Brisbane click here
Gold Coast click here
Pregnancy Options Introduction or Refresher
(2 hours)
This AASW CPD endorsed training provides participants with comprehensive knowledge and skills. The training program incorporates current evidence-based information on all options - abortion (including medication and surgical methods), adoption and parenting - as well as key communication techniques with clients. This workshop will:
• Set the scene for unplanned pregnancy and orient participants to Children by Choice Queensland service;
•Provide an overview of the legal context;
• Describe unplanned pregnancy counselling in terms of evidence-based information on all options: abortion, adoption and parenting;
• Discuss best-practice counselling skills in non-directive unplanned pregnancy counselling;
• Consider the intersection of unplanned pregnancy, domestic violence and reproductive coercion when working with clients
Sponsored by Central Queensland Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast PHN
For 2020 dates and registrations:
Bundaberg 2 hours (RACGP points available) click here
Hervey Bay 2 hours (RACGP points available) click here
Interpreting in the context of Unplanned Pregnancy
(2 hours)
Sponsored by TRUE Relationships & Reproductive Health
For 2020 date & registrations:
Townsville (NAATI CPD points available) click here
Unplanned Pregnancy options workshop (1-3 hours)
This is a specialised pregnancy options workshop for medical professionals, including GPs, nurses and sexual health practitioners. This workshop is predominantly delivered in partnership with other training providers, but is also available to other groups and can be tailored to your needs.
Guest lecture presentations
In addition to professional development training workshops, Children by Choice also delivers guest lectures and presentations on request to tertiary medical, nursing, public health, midwifery, or law students, and other groups. These lectures are tailor-made to meet course requirements.
Agency visits
We welcome visits from workers across the community, health and education sectors to talk generally about our work and discuss issues of importance to your organisation and clients. We can also come to you for general or specific information sessions relevant to your work and your clients - for example, issues specific to young women's sexual and reproductive health.
What our training participants think about our workshops
“Covered in-depth information and options for women."
"Wonderful training, useful evidence, practice, handouts and use of language”
“I loved the opportunity for discussion and linking to practice."
"Very insightful and provided information as to what needs to be done to advocate for women."
"I really valued the best practice principles - useful to keep as a reminder for guidance."
"Thank you very much for your energy and support."
"Excellent - gave us everything we needed to know plus more. It enabled me to question my belief on a more global perspective."
"After your session our team spoke of how excellent the presentation was and how practical the content. Your presentation skills are second to none!"
Enquiries or further information
For more information or to express your interest in attending our next training session, please contact our Education and Training Coordinator, Pamela Doherty, or Project Officer Steph Chen on 07 3357 9933 (ext 3) or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Please note that all of our training can also be delivered in your community or directly to your organisation (minimum of 10 participants). Contact us for details.
