Counseling resources

For adoptees, finding counseling professionals who understand the complexities of adoption and who hold adoptee-centric perspectives is challenging.

The following resources may be helpful in guiding you in your search for counselors.

• Questions to ask when seeking counseling – from I Am Adoptee
• Adoptee Therapist Directory (updated by Dr. Chaitra Wirter-Leiker at Beyond Words Psychological Services)
• Directory of TAC (Training on Adoption Competency) trained mental health providers – note this is not specific to adult adoptees

Articles (open access links) about adult adoptees and counseling

Alvarado, S. B., Rho, J. L., & Lambert, S. F. (2014). Counseling families with emerging adult transracial and international adoptees. The Family Journal, 22(4), 402-408.

Baden, A. L., Kitchen, A., Mazza, J. R., Harrington, E. S., & White, E. E. (2017). Addressing adoption in counseling: A study of adult adoptees’ counseling satisfaction. Families in Society, 98(3), 209-216.

Baden, A. L., & O’Leary Wiley, M. (2007). Counseling adopted persons in adulthood: Integrating practice and research. The Counseling Psychologist, 35(6), 868-901.

Corder, K. (2012). Counseling adult adoptees. The Family Journal, 20(4), 448-452.