EP 09: Adoption Support and Therapy: A Deeper Understanding

Summary

Host:  Laurie Groh, MS LPC SAS

 The Wisconsin Wellness Podcast episode, hosted by Laurie Groh, delves into the intricacies of adoption and foster car. It featuresg therapists Laurie Budinsky and Kristen Holmes from Shoreside Therapies. 

Lauri Budzynski, MA, LPC, NCC⁠ , and ⁠Kristen Holmes, MS, LPC⁠, therapists at Shoreside Therapies specializing in adoption and foster care services, share their experiences and insights working with adoptive families, adopted individuals, and foster parents.They share their experiences in working with individuals who have been adopted and parents navigating the adoption process, emphasizing the importance of understanding loss, grief, and identity formation in this context. 

The therapists discuss the frequent misdiagnoses, such as ADHD, that adopted children might receive due to trauma rather than focusing on the underlying attachment issues. They highlight the concept of ambiguous loss and how it impacts both adoptees and parents, advocating for a supportive and safe space to explore these complex feelings. 

The episode also introduces a virtual support group facilitated by Budinsky and Holmes, which provides a community for adoptive and foster parents to share experiences and offer mutual support. Additionally, it touches on the adoption competency training for therapists and the importance of addressing both the adoptive family's and the adoptee's identities, particularly in the case of transracial adoption. The episode emphasizes the significance of creating a supportive environment for open discussions about adoption, fostering connections within the adoptive community, and offering resources and workshops for navigating the adoption journe

Takeaways

• Adoption work involves addressing the challenges of identity formation, attachment trauma, and ambiguous loss.
• Support groups can provide a safe space for adoptive parents to share their experiences and seek support.
• Understanding the unique needs and experiences of adoptees is crucial for adoption-competent therapy.
• Transracial adoption requires open conversations about culture, ethnicity, and identity. Workshops and support groups can provide valuable guidance and resources during transitions.
• Building a support system is crucial for adoptees and their families, and accessing resources such as IEPs and 504 plans can be beneficial.
• Support groups like Shoreside Therapies are not limited to Milwaukee County and can provide virtual support to individuals across Wisconsin.
• To learn more about the services and support offered by Shoreside Therapies, visit their website or contact them directly.
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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Equal Life

01:09 Welcome to the Wisconsin Wellness Podcast

01:36 Discussion on Adoption and Foster Care

03:44 Understanding Adoption Competency

09:50 Exploring Identity Issues in Adoption

13:10 Understanding Ambiguous Loss and Grief

23:39 Introduction to the Adoption Support Group

29:24 Conclusion and Contact Information

30:06 Outro and Final Thoughts

Episode Sponsors and links:

This episode is brought to you by:

⁠EquaLife: ⁠EquaLife is a premier provider of health and wellness services to individuals, families, employers, and rural communities through innovative programs. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for everyone we serve by providing access to comprehensive, high-quality care.

⁠Headspace⁠: Stress and anxiety are common challenges in today's fast-paced world, and Headspace is there to help. This mindfulness and meditation app provides effective techniques to manage stress, promoting mental well-being.

Shoreside Therapies ⁠Kristen⁠ and Lauri's Adoption Group:

⁠Adoption Support Group⁠

Referenced Adoption Book:

⁠The Primal Wound

Laurie's Top 5 Recommended Books on Relationships:

1. ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Attached⁠
2. ⁠The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work⁠ 
3. ⁠The New Rules of Marriage⁠
4. ⁠Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples⁠
5. ⁠Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love 

Transcript