Blog

  1. The One Thing You Cannot Ask Your Child’s Therapist To Do

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    As an adoption-competent therapist, there are a number of areas in which I can offer support to your child. If they have separation anxiety, I can help them feel secure in knowing their loved ones will do everything in their power to return. If they worry about being hurt by caregivers, I can help them work through the impact of negative experiences to feel safe in the present. If they struggle wi…Read More

  2. The Ultimate Question for Adoptive Parents

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    You and your child are stranded on a deserted island with four other people. You are getting worried, because your child is starting to run a fever and needs medical attention. A small, intact plane floats up onto the shore, and you are incredibly relieved that you finally have the resource necessary to get help for your child. There is no one on the plane, and only three people will fit inside. E…Read More

  3. A common (& avoidable) mistake transracially adoptive parents make…

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    Have you ever said something like this to your transracially adoptive children after learning that they were teased or judged because of their appearance? "Your differences are what make you special!" "I love that your skin/hair is different, it's so beautiful!" "It's okay to be different!" "They just don't understand anyone who's different, that's why they were being mean." You mean well. You …Read More

  4. 30 Days of Adoptee Resources for National Adoption Month 2016

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    For 2016’s National Adoption Awareness Month, check out 30 Days of Adoptee Resources – by adoptees, for adoptees & their families! If you missed out on the daily emails, here’s a comprehensive list of the resources shared through Beyond Words Psychological Services! Adopted – Documentary - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYI686su6PY Trauma to Treasure: A Healing Journey – Blog - http…Read More

  5. A New Tradition: 25 Days of Giving

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    I have decided that beginning Thanksgiving Day of 2016, I am going to start a new tradition – 25 Days of Giving. On Thanksgiving, and for 24 days following, I am going to take 5 minutes out of each day to donate money to one cause that I believe is working to make our world a safer and more compassionate place. I have chosen to donate to organizations both local and global, those that are large-…Read More

  6. #29Days29WaystoSupportAdoptees

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    Did you miss out on February's #29Days29WaystoSupportAdoptees? Review them all here! #1: Journal about your adoption process before you even receive a referral, so that your child can see how loved and wanted they were by you before they even became a part of the family. #2: If you adopt internationally, take as many pictures and videos of your child’s orphanage, orphanage workers, and communi…Read More

  7. #MarchMiniLessonsOnRace

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    Did you miss out on #MarchMiniLessonsOnRace? Read through all 31 days of lessons that were posted on Facebook here! Race Education – Day 1: Colorblindness is a myth. We all see skin color. Seeing skin color is not the problem - the biases we associate with certain skin colors are the problem. We all have biases, which develop from our upbringing, proximity and personal relationships (or lack the…Read More

  8. THIS IS WHAT IT’S LIKE…Part 3

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    Only 10 minutes between sessions. I need to make a quick run to the restroom. As I walk to the sink, another therapist who works in the building walks in with a big smile. After a few seconds of the usual pleasantries, she asks, “Are you Indian?” Here we go… “Yes, I am.” “Oh, I just returned from a trip there! I visited...........” and on and on she goes, describing multiple cities, …Read More

  9. THIS IS WHAT IT’S LIKE…Part 2

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    As a child and teen, I intentionally avoided becoming friends with others who had brown skin. I didn’t want to be labeled as “one of them” – a foreigner, someone who speaks with an accent, someone who smells different, someone who wears strange clothing, someone who eats gross food. I just wanted to be White, because almost everyone around me was White. I just wanted to fit in and feel nor…Read More

  10. THIS IS WHAT IT’S LIKE…Part 1

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    All. My. Life. I’ve been a people-pleaser. The person who constantly considers context and intentions, who gives the benefit of the doubt, who hates to see anyone feel embarrassed or uncomfortable. Even when it’s at the expense of my own feelings and well-being. Maybe it’s because I know what it’s like to truly, genuinely, painfully hurt because of someone else’s words or actions. Maybe …Read More