Adoption Therapy in Toronto
Adoptive parenting comes with unique challenges different from parenting biological children. For both adopted children and adoptive parents struggles may arise related to:
- Loss
- Identity
- Secrecy
- Belonging
- Self-esteem
- Attachment and rejection
- Cross-cultural differences
- Adoption decision making
- Adoptee/adopter background
- Acceptance from friends and family
- Education about the process of adoption
- Fears, desires, and navigation through reunions
These issues may be difficult to manage without added support. An adoption therapist can help identify and work through adoption related issues.
Who goes to adoption therapy?
Adoption therapy can be helpful for adoptive parents, adopted children, and family members of both. Aims and objectives for therapy with adoption can include:
- Learning how to express your emotions, thoughts and beliefs about adoption
- Understanding how the core issues in adoption impact all family members
- Learning communication skills that enable you to talk to family and friends about adoption
- Understanding and deciding if domestic or international adoption, or reproductive technologies are right for you
- Getting support and guidance for complex issues such as adoption breakdown, special needs adoptions, and family rejection
- Developing adoption sensitive parenting skills that are attachment-based
- Working through difficulties of belonging, acceptance, and rejection
- Forming stronger bonds with family members (both adoptive or biological)
The process of adoption can be complex and lonely. An adoption therapist can help ease feelings of confusion, isolation, and anxiety.
What are the benefits of adoption therapy?
An adoption therapist can:
- Improve lines of communication between adopted child, adoptive parent, and other family members
- Increase self-esteem and confidence
- Provide information about what the adoption process looks like, and if it is the right choice for you
- Navigate adoption-related traumas, including depression, anxiety, and loss
- Consider and help navigate a reunion
- Help administer a space of belonging and acceptance
Having someone by your side who is well versed in fertility and adoption related issues can be invaluable as you go through the often difficult process.
How does adoption therapy at KMA work?
Adoption therapy at KMA Therapy begins with a 50-minute introductory session, either individually or with family members, with one of our intake counsellors.
In these 50 minutes, the adoption therapist will dive deep to determine what kind of therapy services you need.
Here at KMA Therapy, we believe it’s important that we get to know you so that your adoption therapist is the right fit. The consultation is also a wonderful time to address any questions you may have.
We will provide you with a customised ‘plan of action’. It includes the recommended adoption therapist who is best equipped to help you, as well as any additional services we feel would be helpful.
Get started with adoption therapy today
KMA Therapy has five locations throughout Toronto and we offer online therapy, too. To learn more about adoption therapy, give us a call at 416 487 6288 or fill out our registration form below to have our care coordinator reach out with more information.
You can also book a session with us directly.
In the meantime, read the articles below to help you gain perspective on your journey:
- 3 Tips to Improve Communication in Your Relationships
- How Does Your Attachment Style Affect Your Relationships
- How to Cope with Grief and Loss
If you want to learn about other mental health concerns, visit our issues page.
Adoption can be confusing, anxiety-inducing, and traumatic. You don’t have to process these complex emotions alone!
