Post-Adoption Care + Resources
Whew. You made it! Your child is in your arms. While the journey feels complete as soon as you hug your child, sometimes the adjustments that follow can catch you off guard. This time period can be beautiful, challenging, full of joyful moments, full of emotions (all of them!), hard. If you, or your family, are struggling with these adjustments.. you are not alone. If you are love this new stage of life.. you are not alone. If both are true.. you are not alone.
Let’s dive into some post-adoption care and talk about what that means!
On this page you will find: Articles, Adoption Therapists, Online Resources, Support, Training + Courses, Book Recommendations
Articles
How Adoptive Parents Need Support & Coping With Complicated Feelings
Before we dive in too far, we want to provide an article as a first step to post-adoption care.
We’ve found that sometimes the quickest (and most helpful) thing is to come to the realization that you are not alone. There are people with similar experiences and also people out here to listen & help!
The Archibald Project Adoption Training and Education Library: They are a trusted resource
Link to Blog: Advice and insight from a transracial adoptee
Link to Blog: To our Friends & Family - Here is how you can best support us
Featured Topics:
We don’t expect gratitude from our children, and we are not amazing for adopting them.
We need support, friendship, love and encouragement.
Adopted children may need to be parented differently than biological children.
Please don’t feed my kids.
We may also discourage physical contact at first.
Support and thoughtful gifts are welcome.
Attachment and healing take time and work.
Our children had lives before they joined our family.
Please choose your words and questions carefully, especially around our children.
Our children are not celebrities.
If we confide our struggles, please don’t ask if we regret our decision to adopt or imply that “we asked for it.”
Finally: No one is perfect.
Link: Coping With Complicated Feelings as an Adoptive Parent
Adoption Therapists
for parents & children
It is SUPER common, and generally wise, to have a therapist that specializes in adoption. Many kids will need help navigating the emotions that come with being adopted. Whether you adopted an infant or a 17 year old they could and likely will have a lot to work through. With that being said, YOU may also have some stuff to work through.
We’ve done the research and compiled a list of trusted therapists here.
OH: Karascope counseling, a personal favorite of ours. In person or online options. Find their contact info HERE.
Cincinnati, OH: Debbie Joy (Cincinnati, OH) is a highly Recommended Adoption Specialized Therapist in Cincinnati. Her contact number is 513.281.7006.
OH: Maddy at Skyway Counseling - comes highly recommended, specializes in working with transracial adoptees & families. Find her info HERE.
Mason, OH: Kristen Riekert, Specializes in Adoption Trauma. Find her contact information HERE.
Northern Kentucky: Jennifer Thorton, Her contact number is 859.578.4143
North Carolina: Kathryn Perkins Coveney. Find her contact info HERE
HERE is a list curated by adoptees, you can sort by state
HERE is a list curated by AdopteesOn
HERE is a list of adoption competent professionals, you can sort by state, training, licensing and payment options.
HERE is a search tool for finding therapists in ANY state with ANY specialty:
Ps. If you have a recommendation for us to add, please email us at one17foundation@gmail.com. We always want to provide trusted and vetted resources.
Online Resources
There is so much information out there and sometimes it is hard to weed through! We’ve compiled some trusted resources here for navigating the following topics:
Siblings having a hard time adjusting to your newest family member
Link: Siblings & Adoption
Link: Adoption & the Experience of Biological Siblings - Part 1
Link: Adoption & the Experience of Biological Siblings - Part 2When to tell your kid about their adoption
Link: The Right Time to tell your Child they are Adopted
Link: When is the Right Time & What to Expect
Link: When to tell & HOWTrauma
Link: Adoption Trauma, It’s Impact & Key’s to Healing
Link: Adoption Trauma that may be “Hidden”
Link: I Am Grateful To Be Adopted—and Yet, Adoption Is Still TraumaticAbandonment
Link: Acknowledging The Impact Of Adoptee Abandonment Issues
Link: Can Being Adopted at Birth Cause Abandonment Issues?
Link: The Invisible Realities of Adoption
Support
for parents & children
Have you been left feeling lonely, not understood, lacking community, or in need of a community that “gets it”?
Here is how to get involved in local adoption communities
Check for local adoption groups on Facebook. This can be a great resource because you can ask questions, get feedback and even search the group for certain topics. On top of that, you can gain a local community of people who just… get it.
The North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACA) has a database of almost 900 adoption-related support groups that you can search by state or province, or by the type of group you’re looking for
Learn bout Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI®). It is an attachment-based, trauma-informed intervention that is designed to meet the complex needs of vulnerable children.
Online Training & Courses
Do you feel like you just need to know more? There are a lot of options for online trainings + courses! Here are a few:
Adoption Learning Partner - From Pre to Post Adoption: Online Courses
Creating a Family - Online Learning Platform
Adoption training Online - Online Training Bundles
Books
for parents
There are a lot of books out there, but we’ve narrowed down the list based on recommendations of adoptive families!
Parenting the Hurt Child: Helping Adoptive Families Heal and Grow
The Connected Child: Bring Hope and Healing to Your Adoptive Family
Raising Adopted Children, Revised Edition: Practical Reassuring Advice for Every Adoptive Parent
We've Been There: True Stories, Surprising Insights, and Aha Moments for Adopted Teens
Books
for children
Young Children:
Older Kids & Teens