WELCOME
Transnational, also known as intercountry and/or international adoption, is the process in which a child is legally adopted from a country different than a family’s country of origin and then brought to the host family’s country to permanently live. Although this form of adoption has existed for decades, providing homes to thousands of children from different countries, there has been some drastic changes to the process for international adoption.
In 2008, the US became a signatory of the Hague Adoption Convention, significantly altering the international adoption process.
Transracial adoption, also known as interracial adoption, refers to the act of placing a child of one racial or ethnic group with adoptive parents of another racial or ethnic group. Although similar to transnational adoption, both options are different.
In 2008, the US became a signatory of the Hague Adoption Convention, significantly altering the international adoption process.
Transracial adoption, also known as interracial adoption, refers to the act of placing a child of one racial or ethnic group with adoptive parents of another racial or ethnic group. Although similar to transnational adoption, both options are different.
SYMPTOMS AND CONCERNS
- Adoptive parents ignoring/downplaying the racial experience of adopted child
- Adoptive parents displaying implicit bias
- Adopted child feeling disconnected from cultural heritage and within family system
- Experienced feelings of loss and rejection
- Racial Identity Crises and Low self-esteem
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Behavioral problems
- Attachment issues
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
GUIDING THEORIES
Family Systems Theory
The family systems theory states that a family functions as a system wherein each member plays a specific role and must follow certain rules. Based on the roles within the system, people are expected to interact with and respond to one another in a certain way. Patterns develop within the system, and each member's behaviors impact the other members in predictable ways. Depending on the specific system, these behavioral patterns can lead to either balance or dysfunction of the system- or both, at various points in time.
In family systems therapy, family members work together to understand better their group dynamic and how their behavior can affect other members of the family. The guiding principle is that "what happens to one member of the family, happens to everyone in the family." This aligns with the family systems theory, in that emotions like stress or anxiety begin to spread from one person to all of their relationships, and the tension can lead to more serious problems over time.
During family systems therapy, each member of the family will have the chance to voice their opinions or discuss any troubles. The family then works together to find a solution for how to relieve stress from the individual and strain from the family as a whole.
Families who are struggling with conflict, as well as couples in the same situation, can benefit from family systems therapy. The therapy can also help with conditions such as anxiety and depression, so if a member of the family has one of these conditions, it can be beneficial for the whole family to undergo the therapy together to help the individual better cope with the condition.
The family systems theory states that a family functions as a system wherein each member plays a specific role and must follow certain rules. Based on the roles within the system, people are expected to interact with and respond to one another in a certain way. Patterns develop within the system, and each member's behaviors impact the other members in predictable ways. Depending on the specific system, these behavioral patterns can lead to either balance or dysfunction of the system- or both, at various points in time.
In family systems therapy, family members work together to understand better their group dynamic and how their behavior can affect other members of the family. The guiding principle is that "what happens to one member of the family, happens to everyone in the family." This aligns with the family systems theory, in that emotions like stress or anxiety begin to spread from one person to all of their relationships, and the tension can lead to more serious problems over time.
During family systems therapy, each member of the family will have the chance to voice their opinions or discuss any troubles. The family then works together to find a solution for how to relieve stress from the individual and strain from the family as a whole.
Families who are struggling with conflict, as well as couples in the same situation, can benefit from family systems therapy. The therapy can also help with conditions such as anxiety and depression, so if a member of the family has one of these conditions, it can be beneficial for the whole family to undergo the therapy together to help the individual better cope with the condition.
Experiential Family Therapy
Experiential family therapy, tends not to be driven by theory but is focused on the potential of the relationship with the therapist to help family members to develop insight into their family relationships. Greater self-awareness, it is argued, can lead to greater levels of choice and improved levels of functioning. The therapist helps family members to analyse their underlying feelings, to communicate honestly and openly with each other, and to develop self-esteem through a focus on positives rather than negatives. The therapist tries to change repetitive communication styles with a focus on genuineness, avoiding secrets and unlocking defensiveness. Experiential family therapy is a flexible way of working and the content of the session varies according to the needs of the family and the individual therapist.
Narrative Therapy
Narrative therapy is suggested as a theoretical framework for working with family clients facing adoption related issues because it allows the therapist to explore the subjective realities, meanings, and cultural discourses about adoption which may influence the experiences of the client(s). Through this exploration, the therapist and clients work together to formulate a new story about adoption that represents movement toward making meaning and a sense of healing.
Narrative therapy may be chosen as a framework and technique for working with clients affected by adoption because of this model’s focus on multiple possible realities, making meaning, perception of the client-as-expert, and particularly the emphasis on the influence of dominant cultural discourses regarding motherhood, fatherhood, adoption-related statuses (e.g., adoptee, adoptive parents, and birth parents) and adoption as an institution.
Experiential Family Therapy
Experiential family therapy, tends not to be driven by theory but is focused on the potential of the relationship with the therapist to help family members to develop insight into their family relationships. Greater self-awareness, it is argued, can lead to greater levels of choice and improved levels of functioning. The therapist helps family members to analyse their underlying feelings, to communicate honestly and openly with each other, and to develop self-esteem through a focus on positives rather than negatives. The therapist tries to change repetitive communication styles with a focus on genuineness, avoiding secrets and unlocking defensiveness. Experiential family therapy is a flexible way of working and the content of the session varies according to the needs of the family and the individual therapist.
Narrative Therapy
Narrative therapy is suggested as a theoretical framework for working with family clients facing adoption related issues because it allows the therapist to explore the subjective realities, meanings, and cultural discourses about adoption which may influence the experiences of the client(s). Through this exploration, the therapist and clients work together to formulate a new story about adoption that represents movement toward making meaning and a sense of healing.
Narrative therapy may be chosen as a framework and technique for working with clients affected by adoption because of this model’s focus on multiple possible realities, making meaning, perception of the client-as-expert, and particularly the emphasis on the influence of dominant cultural discourses regarding motherhood, fatherhood, adoption-related statuses (e.g., adoptee, adoptive parents, and birth parents) and adoption as an institution.