It’s National Adoption Month, a time to honor and bring visibility to the rich diversity of stories within the adoption community.
As clinicians with over a decade of experience working alongside individuals and families shaped by adoption, Monique and I understand that each adoption story is deeply unique. To know one adoption story is to know only one story; every experience carries its own complexities and personal nuances.
When we founded The Couch Therapy, nearly five years ago, we envisioned a place where adoption stories could be shared and truly heard, free from assumptions or stereotypes. Since then, we’ve been privileged to serve as a neutral, safe space within the adoption community, welcoming clients referred to us through adoption support groups, agencies, friends, and networks. At The Couch, each story is met with genuine respect and care, allowing individuals and families the freedom to explore their experiences openly.
Sitting with these stories has reminded us of the vast dimensions and depth that each journey holds. National Adoption Month underscores the multitudes within these experiences, and this month, as always, we honor you. We see you. We hold space for every layer that has shaped who you are.
This November, we’re excited to deepen our commitment to adoption competency in a new way. Over the years, we’ve shared our expertise by providing adoption-focused mental health training at State, National, and International conferences. Now, we are also bridging research gaps, actively conducting studies to strengthen adoption-related knowledge within the mental health field. Research and training in adoption-competent care are essential, yet unfortunately, adoption remains underrepresented in mental health literature, both for short-term and longitudinal care. We believe that therapists serving the adoption community should be well-versed and specifically trained in adoption-related issues, yet such training can be challenging to access.
Follow along this month as we share insights from our work on and off the couch the therapy room to advance adoption-competent care.
With gratitude, Emily Morehead, MA, LPC-S, PMH-C
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