Family therapist for adoption matter?

Question

Where can I seek for help in term of adoption matter - Family Therapist, where?

Answer 1

Start by going through the list of doctors that are considered in-network by your insurance company. They are usually listed on the insurance company's website.  This will spare you the headache of making calls.

Answer 2

I would agree with Sunny, that more information is needed to offer an effective answer.  Are you a Mother, an Adopted Adult or an Adopter?  There is a vast difference in the perspectives of each group.  

It is not easy to find a good therapist, especially one who is conversant in  matters surrounding adoption.  I would ask for a free session for the initial visit and use that time to interview the therapist.  In fact, I have done that exact thing.  I ask if they are "touched" by adoption, and in what role.  Ask if they are specialized in grief therapy, as all parties to adoption have issues that surround grief.  After asking all the questions, and if their answers are to my liking we can progress, but if not, I know ahead of time and can head for the door, and my phone book for another interview.  Remember, you are paying them, they work FOR you, not the other way around, so make sure you are going to get your money's worth, and that you are not spending all your time educating THEM , which is counterproductive for you.  

Lastly, good luck to you.  I know how difficult the process is and wish you the best.

Sandy Young

Senior Mother

SMAAC

Answer 3

We got hooked up with a great therapist by our family doctor. Start by asking your pediatrician or your own physician for a refferal to a therapist who specializes in dealing with adoption issues. They will know reputations of local therapists and will also be able to refer you first to doctors who may be covered by your health plan. If that doesn't work, you can go to your health plan's website and read the blurbs about each of your local therapists to see if you see any  doctors who list adoption issues as a specialty.

After exhausting the possibility of going through your health plan (therapy takes years and is quite expensive) you could certainly check with the agency you adopted through or your children's school councillor.

Answer 4

dexknows.com is a good place to start.

Answer 5

You could ask your adoption specialist.

Answer 6

If this is an existing, completed adoption needing what is referred to as "post adoption services", then the agency the adoption was done through is typically the first step. If that is not useful, try a local private adoption agency, most these days have post adoption services, and will be the most experienced source.

If this is regarding a pending adoption, ideally an agency should be involved, for the protection of all parties. If that is the case, then the agency handling the adoption has professionals who should be able to advise. If a personal, second opinion is desired, then call agencies and ask for recommendations to therapists in the local area with training or expertise in adoption.

For what it's worth, agencies that specialize in open adoptions tend to have the most post-adoption experience, because it's such a vital part of what they offer to families of adoption.  

Answer 7

Adoption 'matters' can be very different.  Please give more info., and I might be able to offer more help, please.

Answer 8

Look in the yellow pages under mental health clinics.  Any reputable clinic should have funding for programs in adoption.  Also, if you are placing a child for adoption, a pregnancy resource center might be able to help.  Good luck!

Answer 9

Hi Gemini Girl,

I agree with Sunny and Sly.  More info would be very helpful.

I can tell you how i found a great counselor in our area.  As an adoptive mom, i am a member of a few adoption support groups.  I asked these adoptive moms if they had a good counselor they could recommend.  Over and over the same name came up.  I called the office of this person saying how highly recommend this person was to me.  Then i asked why?  What is his secret?  The secretary said "He is an Adult Adoptee."  Ohhh, that explains it.  Who better to know what adoptive children go thru than an adult adoptee:)  

That is extremely important to me, i don't want some yahoo with no ties to adoption counseling my child on adoption.  There is no easy solution.  There will be a lot of foot work, meaning you can't just call your insurance company or adoption agency and ask for a name.

If you cannot find adoptive groups in your area---you can start one.  I have started three now.  Two grew huge and were taking over for me.  Call your agency and ask for names of other adoptive families in your area.  I went down the list and asked if anyone was interested in doing an adoptive group.  Almost everyone was.  Once a month or twice a month we got together for cookouts at parks or at homes.  Its is extremely helpful for young adoptees to visually see that there are other families like theirs.  It also gives the parents an opportunity to speak on issues unique to adoption.

Of course all of this depends on who you are in the adoption "triad".  If you are an adoptive parent looking for your child, this is the best info i have.  If you are a mother, Sly would be extremely helpful.  If you are an adult adoptee, Sunny would be extremely helpful. (btw, if you live in WI, email me and i'll give you the counselors name)

Best wishes.

Answer 10

If this is for a relatively recent adoption, I'd check with the agency.

If not, if this is for a child, I'd call the closest children's hospital and speak with the psych department for a referral.  

If this is for an adult, I'd call a reputable adoption agency in your area for a referral to a specialist.