Adoption Services
PRE-ADOPTION SERVICES
Are you considering adoption? Overwhelmed at your options and not sure how to proceed? Pre-adoption counseling is tailored to meet your needs. Our sessions may involve grief and loss counseling to process your feelings related to infertility, or the sessions may be more educational to help you consider your adoption options and then prepare for the arrival—the joys and challenges—of your child. Pre-adoption counseling can be a valuable source of support as you experience the emotional roller coaster of waiting for your child.
Pre-Adoption Support Package• First 90 minute session to discuss goals and needs for pre-adoption counseling |
ADOPTIVE FAMILIES
The goal of post-placement counseling is to strengthen and enhance the attachment and adjustment process. Most sessions will be a collaboration between myself, you, and your child. I work with children of all ages in post-placement counseling—even parents of infants may need attachment support. Post-placement counseling may occur in the weeks or months after adoption, or years after your adoption has been finalized.
Many adoptive families also benefit from education and coaching related to handling difficult adoption related issues, including talking about adoption to your children and family, support through your open (or closed!) adoption, and adopted child and family identity development.
The recent news headlines have made it clear that most adoptive families simply don’t receive the level of post-adoption support necessary to ensure a successful adoption. Many adoptive families are realizing that they need to turn to resources and professionals outside their adoption agency in order to obtain the support they need.
POST-ADOPTION DEPRESSION
Similar to post-partum depression, post-adoption depression is not uncommon. Unfortunately, it’s just not talked about as much and often catches new adoptive parents by surprise. Your child’s ability to form a secure attachment may be impaired if you are struggling with post-adoption depression.
ADOPTED CHILDREN
Your child’s experience with adoption will change each time your child masters a new cognitive developmental milestone. As your child grows and understands more about what it means to be adopted, new questions and concerns may develop. Adopted children may benefit from counseling to help with issues of attachment, grief and loss, and self-esteem. Many adopted children wonder why they were placed for adoption and feel given away. Some adopted children have a history of abuse, neglect, or other developmental trauma. Child and adolescent counseling, including play therapy and family counseling, may help your child navigate these complex issues.
HOME STUDIES
Adoption home studies and post-placement supervision are provided by a division of Gobbel Counseling & Adoption Services. Please visit TexasHomeStudies.com for information about home study related services.