Adopting and fostering children has many rewards and challenges. Children from hard places need lots of love but also lots of re-parenting to adjust, bond, and thrive in their forever families or their “right now” (foster) families. As a Certified Adoption Competent Counselor I provide guidance during the process of adopting by helping the whole family adjust and set healthy expectations for the process of healing and attachment. Adoptive parents are often surprised and overwhelmed by the emotional and behavioral issues that may occur either right away or as their child moves through developmental stages. Behavior problems that were thought to be long gone may resurface or worsen for short or longer periods of time. Therefore Trauma Informed Care in the home and school is key in understanding and addressing your child’s behaviors and emotions. Many adoptive and foster parents are provided training and have a basic knowledge of Trauma Informed Care but translating that knowledge into real parenting strategies and interventions can be confusing and discouraging. I help parents to honor their child’s past experiences while setting responsible behavioral expectations. Through the use effective strategies to manage behaviors it is possible to nurture growth, change, and healing for their children and family.
Common Concerns:
- Attachment-Bonding, and Adjustment (home and family)
- Applying Trauma-Focused Parenting Skills
- Difficulty Regulating their Emotions (anger, emotional control)
- Behavioral Issues in the Home and School
- Physical Aggression- Hitting, destroying property
- Exposures to Trauma (pre-born, early and late childhood)
- Developmental Delays
- Grief and Loss
Types of Therapy for Adoptive and Foster Children
- Directed Play Therapy (through the use of books, games, activities, etc.)
- Social Skills Training (communication, relationship skills)
- Emotional Skill Training (Learning about their emotions and healthy ways of coping)
- Evaluation of Developmental of Milestones
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Trauma- focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
- Trauma Informed Parenting Skills
- Parent-Child Interactions Therapy (PCIT)
- Positive Parenting Techniques
- Individual Treatment Plans based on Specific Needs