Are You Struggling as an Adoptive Parent?
Adopting a child is a profound act of love, but the reality of post-adoption life often brings unexpected challenges. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or unsure of how to connect with your child despite your best efforts, you are not alone. Many adoptive parents experience difficulties that don’t simply fade with time.
The initial excitement of adoption has worn off, and now you feel isolated as you navigate your child's complex emotional needs.
Despite attending trainings and reading books, your child’s behaviors seem to be escalating, leaving you frustrated and unsure of what to do.
You’re exhausted from trying to prove your unconditional love while your child tests boundaries, pushing you away in fear of abandonment.
The adoption process may be over, but the emotional challenges are still very real—and they’re affecting your marriage, your family dynamic, and your overall well-being.
At times, you may even feel regret or wonder if you made the right choice, which brings on intense guilt and shame.
If any of these resonate, know that healing is possible. Post Adoption Services can help you rebuild trust, strengthen connections, and restore peace in your home.
How Trauma-Informed Post Adoption Services Can Help
As a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW, DCSW) with over 30 years of experience working with children from hard places, I specialize in helping adoptive families find healing. My approach integrates trauma-informed care, interpersonal neurobiology, polyvagal theory, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to support both parents and children in the post-adoption journey.
Adopted children often carry deep-rooted trauma that affects their ability to trust and regulate emotions. This isn’t about defiance—it’s about survival wiring that developed long before they joined your family. Understanding this allows us to shift from frustration to empathy, creating new pathways for healing and connection.
If you're looking for more individualized tools rooted in neuroscience to support your child’s development, I also offer Parent Coaching grounded in brain science, designed to help you understand and rewire behavioral patterns through the lens of brain-based parenting.
The Science of Connection: Interpersonal Neurobiology and Polyvagal Theory
Healing begins with understanding how early experiences shape the brain. Interpersonal neurobiology (IPNB) teaches us that relationships physically rewire the brain. This means that through consistent, connected parenting, your child’s brain can heal from past trauma, forming new neural pathways for trust and security.
Polyvagal theory helps us understand the body’s stress responses. Many adopted children live in a constant state of hypervigilance, making connection difficult. Through targeted strategies, we can help regulate their nervous system, fostering a sense of safety in the home.
If your child is also navigating ADHD, Autism, or other neurodivergent needs, you may benefit from specialized support through Family Counseling for Parents of ADHD & Neurodiverse Families, where we explore behavior through a neurodevelopmental lens.
Rebuilding Trust and Attachment in Adoptive Families
Sometimes the struggles in adoptive families affect every member—not just the parent-child relationship. In those moments, Online Family Therapy in California can bring the whole family together to heal and grow as a unit.
Adoptive parents often ask, “Why is my child pushing me away when all I’ve done is love them?” The answer lies in attachment wounds that formed before adoption. Healing happens when we approach these behaviors not as defiance, but as survival mechanisms.
For adoptive families processing grief, loss, or early life disruptions, my Online Family Trauma Therapy focuses on restoring safety and connection after trauma has taken a toll.
If your child is twice-exceptional (gifted with additional learning or emotional needs), I also provide Family Counseling for Gifted/2e Families to help make sense of complex behaviors that can be confusing or contradictory.
Post Adoption Services focus on:
Emotional regulation: Helping your child move from survival mode to connection mode.
Attachment repair: Strengthening the bond between you and your child through trust-based strategies.
Parent coaching: Equipping you with tools to navigate challenging behaviors with confidence and compassion.
Family healing: Addressing the strain that post-adoption struggles can put on marriages and family dynamics.
The Benefits of Post Adoption Services
Reduced stress and emotional overwhelm for parents and children
Increased connection and trust in parent-child relationships
Practical tools for managing challenging behaviors
A deeper understanding of your child’s emotional world
A renewed sense of hope and stability in your family
Parenting doesn’t come with a manual—especially when the journey includes trauma, attachment injuries, or neurodivergence. That’s why I also offer Online Parent Therapy when parenting is hard to help you find steadiness even when things feel upside down.
It’s Never Too Late to Find Healing
Whether you adopted recently or years ago, it’s never too late to strengthen your family’s emotional bonds. Post Adoption Services provide the support and guidance you need to navigate the challenges and rediscover joy in your relationship with your child.
If you're also navigating the complexities of shared parenting after separation, Co-parenting Therapy can help you and your co-parent stay aligned on what's best for your adopted child.
Take the First Step Toward Healing Today
You don’t have to navigate this alone. If you’re struggling in your post-adoption journey, reach out today. Together, we can create a plan to restore connection, peace, and healing in your family.
We will have a brief screening phone call, and if it feels right, we will schedule an hour-long, free phone consultation to see if we are a good match for therapy. This is my offering to you, at a time when you are struggling the most.
Book a free Discovery Call: Click here
My Motto: I help parents become the healers in the home.
Looking for a different kind of support? I also offer:
Parent Coaching Grounded in Brain Science
Online Parent Therapy When Parenting is Hard
Co-parenting Therapy Near Me: Online Support for Divorced Parents
No matter your family’s story, there’s a way forward.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Post Adoption Services
What are Post Adoption Services?
Post Adoption Services provide specialized support for adoptive families facing emotional, behavioral, and attachment challenges. These services help parents and children build trust, regulate emotions, and strengthen family connections.
When should I seek Post Adoption Services?
If your child is struggling with emotional regulation, attachment difficulties, or behavioral challenges that are impacting your family dynamics, it’s time to seek help. Early intervention can prevent long-term struggles and foster a healthier family environment.
How do Post Adoption Services support trauma healing?
Using trauma-informed care, Post Adoption Services integrate interpersonal neurobiology, polyvagal theory, and cognitive behavioral therapy to address the impact of early life trauma. This approach helps children feel safe, understood, and supported as they navigate past wounds.
Can Post Adoption Services improve my relationship with my child?
Yes. By understanding your child’s brain development and emotional needs, you can respond to behaviors with greater empathy and effectiveness. This strengthens the attachment bond and promotes a secure, connected relationship.
What if I feel like I’m failing as an adoptive parent?
You’re not failing—you’re facing challenges that many adoptive parents experience. Post Adoption Services provide you with the knowledge and tools to move from survival mode to healing and connection. Seeking support is the first step to strengthening your family.
What can I do while we are waiting for therapy to start?
If you are ready to start see your child and your family from a new, relationship-based perspective, then check out my mentor's, Robyn Gobbel's, podcast. This will give you a feel of my perspective and my approach. You can listen to her recording about being adopted here.
How do I start with Post Adoption Support?
We will have a brief screening phone call and if it feels right, we will schedule an hour-long, free phone consultation to see if we are a good match for therapy. This is my offering to you, at a time when you are struggling the most.
Book a free Discovery Call