Locating the right therapist requires that a parent identify some prospective therapists who have adoption experience and then conduct preliminary interviews to find the one who seems best able to help the child or family.
Identifying prospective therapists. It is important that parents take the time to find a mental health provider who has the experience and expertise required to address their needs effectively. Professionals with adoption knowledge and experience are best suited to help families identify connections between problems and adoption and to plan effective treatment strategies. At a minimum, a therapist must:
- Be knowledgeable about adoption and the psychological impact of adoption on children and families
- Be experienced in working with adopted children and their families
- Know the types of help available for adoption-related issues and problems
- Have received training in working with adoptive families
Parents may contact community adoption support networks, use the Internet, and ask their placement agency for referrals to therapists. Many public and private adoption agencies and adoptive parent support groups have lists of therapists who have been trained in adoption issues or who have effectively worked with children in foster care and adoption. Some adoption agencies and specialized postadoption service agencies have mental health therapists trained in adoption on staff.
Parents can check with the following resources for therapist recommendations:
- Agency social workers involved in the child's adoption
- State or local mental health associations
- Public and private adoption agencies
- Local adoptive parent support groups
- Specialized postadoption service agencies
- State adoption offices
- National and State professional organizations
Interviewing prospective therapists. Using the recommendations that they gather, parents can call prospective therapists or schedule an initial interview to find out basic information. Some therapists will offer an initial brief consultation that is free of charge. Parents should start by giving the clinician a brief description of the concern or problem for which they need help. The following are some questions to discuss:
- What is your experience with adoption and adoption issues? (Parents should be specific about the adoption issues that impact their problem, such as open adoption, transracial adoption, search for birth relatives, children who have experienced abuse or institutionalization, children with attachment difficulties.)
- How long have you been in practice, and what degrees, licenses, or certifications do you have?
- What continuing clinical training have you had on adoption issues?
- Do you include parents and other family members in the therapeutic process?
- Do you prefer to work with the entire family or only with the children?
- Do you give parents regular reports on a child's progress?
- Can you estimate a timeframe for the course of therapy?
- What approach to therapy do you use?
- What changes in the daily life of the child and family might we expect to see as a result of the therapy?
- Do you work with teachers, juvenile justice personnel, daycare providers, and other adults in the child's life, when appropriate?
There are other practical considerations when choosing a therapist. Parents should be sure to ask about:
- Coverage when the therapist is not available, especially in an emergency
- Appointment times and availability
- Fees and whether the therapist accepts specific insurance, adoption subsidy medical payments, or Medicaid reimbursement payments (if applicable)
Sources:
[1] Selecting and Working With an Adoption Therapist, Child Welfare Information Gateway, U.S. Department of Health and Human Service
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