As the parent of a graduating adoptee or foster child, you probably have been pondering numerous choices as your teen finishes high school, such as which college, technical school, or community college to attend; financial aid and scholarships; room mates and living arrangements. As a therapist who specializes in adoption, foster care, and trauma; I… Continue reading When Young Adult Adoptees & Foster Kids Leave Home for The First Time
Tag: trauma
Ghosts in the Adoption: Understanding the Impact of an Adoptive Parent’s Own History
Today's blog post is written by Karen Doyle Buckwalter, LCSW, Director of Program Strategy at Chaddock, a multi-service agency providing a range of residential, educational, and community-based services for youth, birth through age 21, and their families. While at Chaddock, she has been instrumental in the development of an innovative residential program for adolescents, ages 8… Continue reading Ghosts in the Adoption: Understanding the Impact of an Adoptive Parent’s Own History
Podcast with Send Relief: Choosing a Therapist for Your Adopted or Foster Child
Tera Melber and Lynette Ezell of Send Relief were so kind to ask me to speak on their podcast. Join us as I talk about choosing a therapist for your child.
Play Your Way into Connection
Today's blog post is written by guest blogger and life coach, Renee Witkowski. Renee is a professionally trained Christian life coach who specializes in the area of adoptive and foster families. I am so thankful Renee is sharing her experience and knowledge with us! Play Your Way into Connection My family has a funny story… Continue reading Play Your Way into Connection
DBT Skills: A Life In Balance
DBT SKILLS: A LIFE IN BALANCE (This article was initially published in the June 2017 edition of Adoption Today. Please see citation at the end of the article.) Today, adolescent mental health is a concern our society, and around the world. Just reflecting on the names Columbine and Sandy Hook bring clear memories of devastation,… Continue reading DBT Skills: A Life In Balance
6 Practical Strategies to Improve Secure Attachment
6 Practical Strategies to Improve Secure Attachment Cathy adopted her sixteen year old daughter, Rachel, from foster care at eight months of age. Cathy shares, “Rachel is on the dance team at school. This week they performed in front of the whole school, and Rachel was really nervous!” “I saw her walk into the gym,… Continue reading 6 Practical Strategies to Improve Secure Attachment
“We Are On Our Own In This”
"We Are On Our Own In This" Last weekend I received a call from adoptive mom, Brenna, who was desperately searching for help for her family. She and her husband, John, had adopted a sibling group of three many years ago. (Names and situation has been altered to protect confidentiality.) The children are now in… Continue reading “We Are On Our Own In This”
Selecting A Therapist for Your Foster or Adopted Child
Selecting A Therapist for Your Foster or Adopted Child Many parents begin to seek counseling as soon as their child comes home while other families may not see a need arise until a later time, such as adolescence. (I would strongly suggest finding a therapist before there is a critical need for one.) For most… Continue reading Selecting A Therapist for Your Foster or Adopted Child
Is This behavior Normal Or Is It Adoption Related?
Is This Behavior Normal Or Is It Adoption Related? Jodi, mother of 5 year old Sasha, voices a common concern, “I am a parent who wonders if some of the ‘issues’ I see in my child are normal or adoption related; I wonder if therapy would help her? I am a wholehearted believer in the… Continue reading Is This behavior Normal Or Is It Adoption Related?