navigating the complexities of adoption with therapy

Adoption is a lifelong journey that shapes identity, relationships, and emotional wellbeing in ways that can be both rewarding and challenging. While adoption can bring a sense of connection and belonging, it can also bring complex emotions that may surface at different stages of life. The experience of adoption doesn’t exist in isolation, it is woven into family dynamics, personal identity, and the ways individuals relate to themselves and others.

an interracial adoptive family with two adopted children and their parents playing and smiling in the snow

Each person’s adoption story is unique and so are the challenges that may arise. Processing adoption-related emotions can be difficult, especially when it feels like others don’t fully understand what you’re going through. Feelings of uncertainty, loss, or disconnection may arise, sometimes unexpectedly. Navigating these experiences requires compassion, self-awareness, and support from someone who understands the complexities of adoption.

Therapy provides a space to explore these emotions, gain clarity, and develop tools to navigate adoption-related challenges with greater confidence and self-understanding. Whether adoption has always been a central part of your identity or you are just beginning to process its impact, therapy can help you make sense of your experiences and move forward in a way that feels authentic and empowering.

how therapy can help

As an adoption-competent therapist, I provide specialized support for individuals and families navigating the complexities of adoption. Having completed the National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training, I am equipped with the knowledge and skills to address the unique emotional, relational, and identity challenges that can arise in the adoption process. My personal experience as an adoptee also gives me a deep understanding of the emotional landscape involved, enabling me to offer a compassionate and informed approach to therapy.

I help clients explore and process emotions such as grief, loss, and attachment, which are often central to the adoption experience. Therapy sessions are tailored to support individuals in gaining clarity, addressing unresolved issues, and fostering healthier relationships. Therapy also provides a safe space to explore the impact of adoption on relationships, whether between parents and children or among siblings and extended family members. Ultimately, my goal is to guide individuals and families toward lasting emotional well-being and positive change.

support for the adoption triad

  • adoptees

    Adoption is often framed as a story of love and belonging, but it is also a story of loss. Even in the best of circumstances, being adopted means experiencing a separation from biological family, which can lead to feelings of grief, even if they are not always consciously recognized. This loss can shape identity, self-worth, and emotional well-being in profound ways.

    Grief in adoption is unique—it’s not tied to a single event but can resurface at different stages of life. You may struggle with unanswered questions, a sense of disconnection, or an ongoing search for belonging. The complexity of adoption-related grief can also bring feelings of guilt. You might feel conflicted about expressing sadness, anger, or curiosity about your birth family, worrying that it could seem ungrateful to those who raised you. These emotions are valid, and therapy provides a space to process them without judgment.

    In therapy, you can explore how adoption has shaped your experiences and relationships while gaining tools to navigate difficult emotions. You deserve support in making sense of your adoption story, understanding your feelings, and finding a path forward that honors your unique experience.

  • adoptive parents

    Adoption brings immense joy and fulfillment, but it also comes with complexities that can be difficult to navigate. As an adoptive parent, you may experience your own emotional challenges while supporting your child through theirs. One of the most difficult aspects of adoption is recognizing the reality of loss—while adoption creates a loving home, it also begins with a separation that can have lasting effects on a child’s emotional development and sense of self.

    Many adoptive parents struggle with feelings of guilt, whether it’s guilt over the circumstances that led to the adoption, uncertainty about how to support their child’s emotions, or fear that they might not be enough to meet their child’s needs. It can be painful to watch your child struggle with grief, rejection, or identity questions, especially when you want nothing more than for them to feel safe and loved. You may also find yourself wondering how to balance open discussions about adoption with ensuring your child feels secure in your family.

    Therapy can help you better understand the unique experiences and emotions that adoptees face while also providing you with the tools to support your child in a way that fosters trust, openness, and emotional well-being. By acknowledging both the joy and challenges of adoption, you can create a strong foundation for your child’s growth and healing.

  • birth parents

    Placing a child for adoption is a deeply personal and often complex decision, one that can bring a mix of emotions—grief, love, relief, guilt, and uncertainty—all at the same time. While adoption is often framed as a fresh start for everyone involved, the reality is that loss remains a central part of the experience for birth parents. Whether the decision was made recently or years ago, the impact of adoption can be lifelong, affecting identity, relationships, and emotional well-being in ways that may be difficult to articulate.

    Grief for birth parents is unique—it is ongoing and can resurface in unexpected ways. You may experience sadness over missed milestones, wonder about your child’s life, or struggle with feelings of guilt and self-doubt. Many birth parents also grapple with the complexity of their decision, questioning whether they did the right thing or feeling pressure to suppress their emotions in order to appear at peace with their choice. The reality is that grief and love can coexist, and processing those emotions in a supportive space can help you move forward in a way that honors your experience.

    Therapy offers a space to explore these emotions without judgment, helping you make sense of your adoption journey while finding ways to care for yourself in the process. Whether you're navigating open adoption, seeking support for unresolved grief, or struggling with feelings of shame or regret, you don’t have to carry it alone.

Adoption comes with unique challenges, but you don’t have to navigate them alone.

Let’s connect to see how I can support you in processing your adoption journey!