Therapy for Adoptive Parents

Healing happens in relationships, which is why parents play such a critical role in their adopted child’s journey.

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Adoption is complex. It can hold joy, love, grief, loss, and uncertainty all at the same time. Adoption impacts everyone involved—the adopted child, adoptive parents, birth family, and extended family system. While adoption can be a beautiful way to build a family, it often comes with unique challenges that require understanding, support, and specialized care.

My work with adoptive families extends beyond the therapy room. In addition to supporting adoptive, foster, and birth families in clinical practice, I have academic and research experience focused on adoption and the foster care system. This background has deepened my understanding of the unique challenges adoptive families face, including attachment concerns, trauma, identity development, family transitions, and navigating relationships with birth family members.

As a therapist for adoptive families, I provide adoption-informed, trauma-informed therapy for adoptive parents, adopted children, and families. My goal is to help families navigate challenges while strengthening connection, attachment, and resilience.

Support for Adoptive Parents

  • A family of a mom, dad, and little girl, sit on a log in the woods. They are facing the camera and smiling. It is sunny out and they are wearing sweaters.

    A Trauma-Informed Approach to Parenting

    Many adoptive parents find themselves facing emotional or behavioral challenges they never expected. Traditional parenting approaches may not always meet the needs of children who have experienced early adversity, loss, disrupted attachment, foster care, or trauma.

    Using an attachment-based and trauma-informed approach, I help parents better understand their child's behaviors through a lens that focuses on nervous system regulation, connection, and safety. Together, we develop practical strategies that support emotional regulation, strengthen parent-child relationships, and create a home environment where children can thrive.

    For specific examples of how to use a trauma informed lens to support adopted children check out the blog.

  • A woman holds a small boy. His head is on her shoulder, she is facing away from the camera. The sky is blue with white clouds.

    Promoting Healthy Attachment and Connection

    Attachment is built through thousands of everyday moments of safety, consistency, and connection. For adopted children, attachment may be complicated by experiences of loss, separation, trauma, or disrupted caregiving relationships.

    Therapy can help families strengthen attachment by increasing understanding, improving communication, and developing strategies that foster trust and emotional security. My goal is to help parents feel confident in supporting their child's needs while creating stronger, more connected family relationships.

  • A woman sits alone on a rocky beach. It is cloudy. She is wearing all gray and looking out over the water

    Working Through Isolation as an Adoptive Parent

    Many adoptive parents describe feeling alone in their parenting journey. Friends and family members may care deeply, but they often do not fully understand the unique experiences, challenges, and emotions that can come with adoption.

    Many of the parents I work with spend so much time advocating for their children that their own needs get pushed aside. Therapy provides a space where your experiences are understood and where you can receive support without having to explain or justify your family's story. You deserve a place to process your own emotions, build confidence, and feel less alone in the challenges you face.

  • A family of 5 adults and one one child looks at the camera. They are smiling.

    Navigating Relationships with Birth Families

    Relationships with birth family members can bring a wide range of emotions for both children and parents. Open adoption, birth family contact, questions about biological family members, and changing family dynamics can create uncertainty and stress.

    I help families navigate these conversations with sensitivity and care. Together, we can explore ways to support healthy communication, establish boundaries when needed, and help children make sense of their story in age-appropriate and emotionally supportive ways.

    Research has shown us that For many adopted children and teens, understanding and maintaining safe connections to their birth family can be an important part of developing a strong sense of identity and belonging. Therapy can help families navigate these relationships thoughtfully and in ways that support the child's well-being

  • Teen Girl stands under a tree. She smiles softly, she has red hair that is shoulder length. The background contains a green field

    Support for Parents of Adoptive Teens

    The teenage years bring new challenges as adolescents navigate increasing independence, changing relationships, and questions about identity and belonging. For adopted teens, these developmental tasks can be influenced by their adoption story, experiences of loss, or a history of trauma.

    School challenges, emotional regulation difficulties, executive functioning struggles, peer relationships, and self-esteem concerns may become more noticeable during adolescence. Therapy can help parents better understand their teens and know how to support them in developing healthy coping skills, navigating academic and social challenges, and building confidence they need as they move toward adulthood.