Home DNA testing has become a pretty common practice as people explore family genetics. According to a study at MIT, the DNA market is projected to double in 2021—for the 5th year in a row - which could mean over...
The 3rd Friday of each month, I meet with 3 amazing EMDR therapists for the purpose of case consultation. This Friday, the talk turned to adopted people and grief. One of my peers was reviewing a case about an adopted client....
Mother's Day Gratitude and Grief Depending on your relationship with your mother, Mother's Day may bring authentic feelings of gratitude, more complicated feelings, or both. If your mother is absent from your life, grief is likely to be experienced too. Growing up,...
There are approximately 7 million people in the US that were adopted. A lot of people, but a minority in a country of over 320 million people. The reality of being adopted isn't talked about much so it's hard to...
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an effective therapy modality with a clunky name. I've been offering EMDR therapy for a few years now. I feel so privileged to have witnessed the deep work and change that the EMDR...
Adoption reunion, it's a tricky road. Filled with unexpected twists and turns and some jarring potholes. First, there is no "right" way to do reunion or a search for that matter. There is tons of information out there. I followed a...
It wasn't that bad. Four words that make a story small and minimize an experience. It can be helpful in the moment and hurtful in the long run. It wasn't that bad We reduce an experience when we say, "It wasn't that...
November is National Adoption Awareness Month (NAAM). To be honest, until about 5 years ago, I didn't know this was a thing. November is right after my birthday month of October. Unlike many people who were adopted, I've always enjoyed...
I did something I'd never done before a year and a half ago. I heard 2 women talking about a retreat for adopted people on a podcast I like called Adoptees On. Immediately, I wanted to recommend the retreat to...
The holiday season is upon us. For adoptees, this time can be challenging. Advertisements are all around us that send messages about the importance of family and of being grateful. There are worse messages to bombarded with to be sure,...