Adoption is the legal process that involves transferring the care of a child from biological parents to adoptive parents. Partners or individuals may choose adoption to raise children for various reasons. Similarly, an adopted person might go through phases when they wonder why their biological parents put them up for adoption. They also might experience confusion regarding the presence or absence of their biological parents in their life.
Available Treatment Options
Therapy for those involved in the adoption process aims to address emotions surrounding the experience. Therapists using therapeutic interventions may include a detailed look at the person’s past and how adoption affected them. Children who have been in the foster care system or were adopted may benefit from Play and Art therapies, which give them a creative outlet to express emotions.
Therapists Who Specialize in Helping Those Who Struggle With Adoption
I always find it exciting to meet a client for the first time. The bravery to reach out and say, “hey, things aren’t going great in my life and I would like some help” is a bold first step in making changes that can improve your overall quality of life. It is a great privilege to be a witness to that. My style is to come alongside you and help you to tap into the strengths you already have and ...
I am so glad that you are looking to feel better, understand yourself and improve your life. Therapy is an amazing journey that can help you with many areas of life that may feel overwhelming and unchangeable. I have a passion for helping others and find joy in the work I do. I would be honored to be with you on this journey. I have been practicing in the field for 15+ years, working with child...
Laurissa is experienced in treating adults and adolescents with co-occurring disorders, substance use disorders, PTSD and trauma, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and impulse control disorders. She also worked with children struggling with behavioral and adjustment related issues. She incorporates a strengths based, whole person approach to help each individual work toward their full...
Are you a woman (Cisgender or Transgender+)/Do you identify as a woman? Are you a veteran struggling with issues in civilian life? Are you experiencing challenges as you come-out and attempt to live authentically as LGBTQI+? Are you dealing with acculturation or inclusiveness issues as a member of the Hispanic/Latino (Latinx) community? Are you a caregiver who provides care for a loved one with...
Kids face all sorts of pressures, choices, challenges, and traumas in our culture today that affect the way they connect and engage with their worlds around them. It can look like anxiety, depression, behavioral acting out, emotional walling-off, etc. I work with children and families to investigate and discover what's needed to repair and rebuild the damaged or broken pieces that affect kids d...
Allison Leonard is a Licensed Social Worker from Atlanta, Georgia who graduated from Loyola’s Master of Social Work program with a Mental Health Specialization. In both her graduate & undergraduate work, she studied abroad in Italy & Ireland to study mental health social policy & the psychology of terrorism. She chose this field because of the healing relationships it allows her to build with...
Dawnielle Gaskin is a Licensed Professional Counselor who received a master’s in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Child & Family Studies from Roosevelt University after graduating with both a Bachelor of Arts in Clinical Psychology & a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology. In addition to her LPC, she is also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional & holds a Domestic Violence Training...
Many times in life we find ourselves struggling with change. We feel burdened by changes that are out of our control, or discouraged by unsuccessful attempts at creating change. Ideas of who we should be and all of the ways we fall short can so easily conceal our path to contentment and self-love. So why go to therapy? Therapy gives you a non-judgmental space to explore needs, express feelings,...
Is your child or adolescent experiencing difficulties at school or at home - maybe anxiety, depression, behavioral challenges or peer relationship difficulties? Do you wish you could help, but you do not know where to turn or what to do? Childhood and adolescence can be difficult and navigating the challenges that occur can become overwhelming. Through therapy, you and your child will learn...
Living with chronic illness can feel overwhelming at times, whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been managing your illness for years. As a nurse-psychotherapist, I understand the grief, loneliness, fear, anger, shame, and vulnerability that may surface, often at unexpected moments. Yet managing life with chronic illness also presents tremendous opportunities for growth and insight, creativit...
We do the best we can with the tools we have at the time. Sometimes the tools we have are not enough for what we’re facing, or they’re causing just as much trouble as the problems we use the tools on. Working as a partner or teammate with each person, I help people build new skills to reclaim their power and take control in their lives. I do this through using a variety of techniques, tailoring...
Sometimes people come to counseling ready to bare their soul, and some people come to begin the journey towards being vulnerable. Levels of resistance and vulnerability vary, but they are both important to understand for each unique individual. There is hope in every situation. Everyone is on a different path in their journey, and I enjoy being chosen as a part of whatever path on whatever...
My focus is directed towards a client’s strengths. In today’s society it becomes Increasingly difficult to just “keep up”. I focus on the positive aspects to include client’s abilities, talents and resources that helped them achieve satisfaction. When feeling imbalanced or down on oneself it sometimes is difficult to recall or even identify the strengths that got you to a good place, that’s whe...
I work with clients seeking clarity on why they feel the way they do, relief from intrusive and negative thoughts, depression, anxiety, ADHD, work issues, trauma, crisis, career choices, adoption , caregiving, acculturation and changing patterns of relating in relationships that no longer serve their purpose. I assist clients in diminishing their symptoms while we explore and process the root...
I teach couples powerful tools and give homework. My background is in Positive Psychology. People describe me as warm, down-to-earth and they say I have a good sense of humor. I think couples therapy should be uplifting -- and show results. I help all kinds of couples: married and unmarried, straight, gay, and couples soon to marry. I'm dedicated to helping couples overcome their problems. I'm...
