Adoptive Families
Enriching and enhancing the lives of adoptive families
Why was Adoptive Families begun?
Adoptive families face unique challenges and require therapists who specialize in treating adoption-related issues. Unfortunately there is a shortage of mental health providers with expertise in this area. In one study, adoptive parents cited mental health counseling as their major unmet need following adoptive placement.
Since its inception in 2000, Adoptive Families at The Family Institute has pursued innovative ways to address some of the special challenges experienced by adopted children and their families. Through direct services for families, the program strengthens adoptive families and provides support to help adoptive children grow into successful, productive adults.
Direct Services for Adoptive Families
The Adoptive Families Program provides specialized services geared to the unique needs of adoptive families. These include:
- Counseling and Psychotherapy for parents, children & entire families
- Family Consultations focused on specific issues
Program Therapists
- Leah Bloom, MSMFT
- Simona Cirio, LMFT
- Marina Eovaldi, PhD, LMFT
- Ben Gorvine, PhD
- Carl Hampton, LCSW
- Isabela Marchi, MEd, MSEd
- Cheryl Rampage, PhD
- Chaaze Roberts, MSMFT
- Catherine Weigel Foy, LCSW, LMFT
If you're interested in counseling, psychotherapy or family consultations, please email Leah Bloom adoptionprogram@family-institute.org.
Psychoeducational Programs for Adoptive Families
Our psychoeductional programs help strengthen adoptive families, providing support to both adoptive children and adoptive families.
Groups for Families with Elementary School Children (ages 6-10)
- Children Adoption Club Group: The children meet in a small group led by Adoptive Families therapists. The group is activity based and interactive. They allow children to discuss a variety of adoption-related issues with peers who have similar experiences.
- Parent Groups: Parents meet with Adoptive Families therapists for bi-weekly meetings. Group discussions address how to handle questions about the adoption experience and birth family, how to help the adopted child cope effectively with loss and sibling issues and how parents can successfully work with teachers and school systems on adoption-related issues.
Groups for Families with Pre-Adolescent/Adolescent Children (ages 11-17)
Physical changes, expanded cognitive abilities, internal drives and societal and family expectations all converge during adolescence. Each adopted adolescent must incorporate all of these elements as well as the mysteries of their past into their emerging identity.
- Teen Group: The teen group runs concurrently with the parent group. Led by Adoptive Families therapists, the teens meet to discuss questions and issues related to adoption.
- Parent Group: In these discussions led by Adoptive Families therapists, parents learn how to encourage independence without cutting their adolescents adrift and how to assist their adolescents by exploring strengths and gifts as well as losses associated with adoption.
Groups start periodically throughout the year. To find our more about these psychoeducational offerings, please call 847-733-4300, ext. 7011.
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