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.
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.
Rebuilding Trust and Attachment in Adoptive Families
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.
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
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.
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.
Call Abby now for a free, hour-long, phone consultation to see if I am the right therapist for you or your family.
(626) 755-4059
My Motto: I help parents become the healers in the home.
FAQ's: 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.
How do I start Post Adoption Services?
You can start by scheduling a free, hour-long consultation to see if these services are the right fit for you and your family. Call today to take the first step toward healing
What Others Are Saying
"Abby cares deeply about insuring the foundations for relationships between parents and kids is strong, and meets fundamental needs that are oft looked over. She has a kind and intelligent methodology that is tangible, that honors how humans are built, from the ground up. She is a lifelong learner, with a wide swath of skills, that addresses ways of being close to kids, including kids that have extraordinary needs of one kind or another. I highly encourage working with her."