Professional Training
Backline is available to provide customized professional training on all aspects of pregnancy options counseling, abortion and adoption counseling, and post-pregnancy support. Our trainings encompass values clarification, skills building, and the social and political issues surrounding pregnancy, parenting, abortion and adoption.
Backline Trainers include most of our Board Members, as well as our founder Grayson Dempsey, who has been providing reproductive health training nationwide to medical professionals, social service agencies and nonprofit organizations since 1999. For more information, please download our Professsional Training Services brochure (PDF).
To inquire about availability and fees, contact Backline at info@yourbackline.org or 503.287.4344.
"I got more out of my training with Backline than I could have ever expected. Their engaging training gave me a place to explore my own feelings, develop my counseling skills and deepen my understanding of the complexities that surround decision making around pregnancy options.
"It is evident that a great deal of thought and experience goes into creating trainings that will fit each organization's unique needs.
"Our training with Backline brought our organization together to discuss pregnancy options counseling, but it ended up doing so much more. We benefited from what the training style did for our group dynamic; the training truly strengthened our organization."
~Christy Hall, Birth Attendants: Prison Doula Project
Backline has provided training for the following clinics, organizations & schools:
- Canadians For Choice
- A Jacksonville Women's Health Center
- The Birth Attendants
- A Choice for Women
- Sexual Assault Resource Center
- Women's Emergency Network
- Evergreen State College
- University of Miami Reproductive Health Services
- National Network of Abortion Funds
- Planned Parenthood of North Central Florida
- National Coalition of Abortion Providers
- Portland Community College
- Planned Parenthood of theColumbia/Willamette
- Oregon Health and Sciences University
- Medical Students for Choice
- Insights Teen Parent Program
- Open Adoption & Family Services
- California Coalition for Reproductive Freedom
In-Service Presentations
Backline volunteers are available to provide in-service educational presentations to healthcare staff, social service organizations, and advocacy groups. In-service presentations are a great way to learn more about Backline's services and develop stronger referral systems. Please e-mail info@yourbackline.org if you would like to schedule an in-service presentation for your staff.
Advocate Training
Talk Line Advocates are trained to facilitate client-centered conversation around pregnancy, adoption, abortion and parenting. Backline provides resources during the process of making a decision regarding pregnancy, as well as support for women and their loved ones after an abortion, birth or adoption placement. Advocates recognize the unique experiences and beliefs of each individual, and are able to help callers identify and clarify their own feelings about pregnancy and the choices surrounding pregnancy. Advocates can also help callers identify support networks in their own communities, and offer tools for coping and healthy decision-making that empower callers to continue exploration after hanging up the phone.
All Talk Line advocates receive over 40 hours of initial training in the Backline model of options counseling. In addition, Advocates meet on a monthly basis for additional training in all aspects of reproductive and sexual health, client-centered counseling, and other relevant topics.
If you would like more information on becoming a volunteer Talk Line Advocate, please visit our Volunteer page.
