Adoption Support

COUNSELLING FOR THOSE

AFFECTED BY ADOPTION

The implementation of the Adoption & Children Act 2002 has changed the way in which those requiring counselling can access the help they need. Since the end of December 2005, counsellors or therapists who offer services to those affected by adoption are required to register as an Adoption Support Agency and regularly inspected by Ofsted in order to ensure that high standards of support are maintained. Adoption Support is one of only a handful of registered Adoption Support Agencies in the midlands able to provide these services.

We have several fully qualified counsellors with extensive experience and expertise in the field of adoption. Over the years we have provided tailored counselling to numerous adopted adults, adoptive parents, birth relatives and adopted young people.

Many adopted adults who have had a good adoption experience still struggle with their feelings – particularly, for instance, before they embark on the journey to trace their birth family. Counselling can help them make sense of these sometimes very confusing emotions.

Adoptive parents can also at times struggle to cope. Parenting an adopted child may well be a very different experience to the one they expected and being able to talk to a counsellor who understands the issues they may be facing can enable them to face the task more confidently.

Birth mothers also often need help to cope with their feelings about the child they have lost to adoption. Regardless of the circumstances of the adoption, the pain and grief of losing a child can be overwhelming. Having the opportunity to talk to someone in a non-judgemental confidential environment can be enormously beneficial.

Counselling children & young people is very different to counselling adults. Apart from the need to be aware of relevant legislation and have an understanding of human development, when counselling children & young people affected by adoption, it is important to consider family, carers, school, peer group and others who are important in a young person’s life, as well as keeping these people informed of the progress of counselling. Adoption Support counsellors provide support using a variety of methods specially tailored to the needs of adopted children & young people and always work within the bounds of Adoption Support’s strict Child Protection policy.

What do you do if you think you may benefit from counselling? It couldn’t be easier, just give us a call. This service is initially free of charge to anyone who qualifies for services from Adoption Support. We will first of all offer you a one-off assessment session for you to meet with a counsellor and talk about what might be helpful. If counselling is felt to be appropriate then an initial series of six free sessions will be arranged. After six sessions the need for further counselling is reviewed, with the option of continuing for further sessions as required. Due to funding limitations, any further sessions are charged for at a subsidised rate.

Adoption Support is a Registered Charity No. 1055000, a Company limited by Guarantee in England No. 3184123 and a Registered Adoption Support Agency No. 0000066987