Gladney Blog

For international adoptees and their families

Artwell, Alara, and Athena are a close-knit sibling group who dream of growing up together in a permanent, loving home. Their bond is strong, and they’re ready to share their laughter, energy, and big hearts with the right family.

Adoption is a life-changing journey filled with moments of joy and complex emotions. Many adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive families experience anxiety, depression, or unresolved trauma that can impact their well-being. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based approach that helps individuals reframe negative thought patterns, process emotions, and develop coping strategies for long-term healing.

Archibald is eight years old. He’s bright, curious, and kind. He’s learning English, loves to draw, and lights up when he connects with someone who sees him.

Adoption-focused counseling at the Gladney Center for Adoption’s Counseling Center provides a safe and supportive space to explore your identity, process emotions, and gain tools for personal growth. To make the most of your sessions, it’s essential to be proactive and engaged. Here are five ways to ensure your counseling journey is impactful and rewarding.

Adoption can bring a range of emotions for children. While some adjust easily, others may struggle with anxiety, grief, attachment issues, or behavioral challenges. Young adoptees, especially those with early trauma or foster care experiences, may find it difficult to put their feelings into words.

The Gladney Center for Adoption is honored to introduce the Aleda Madison International Adoptee Scholarship Fund, established in tribute to Aleda Madison, founder of Madison Adoption Associates. As you may know, Madison Adoption Associates joined the Gladney Center for Adoption in 2024—a partnership designed to expand and strengthen the services of both agencies in response to the evolving landscape of international adoption.

Virtual Counseling for Adoption and Trauma Support

Starting counseling can feel like a big step—but you don’t have to take it alone. At the Gladney Center for Adoption, we provide adoption-competent, trauma-informed counseling designed to support individuals and families through life transitions, emotional challenges, and adoption-related experiences. Whether you’re seeking care for yourself, your child, or your whole family, we’re here for you—in person or through secure virtual sessions offered across Texas.

Adoption is a journey filled with love, growth, and transformation, but it can also bring up deep, complex emotions that are difficult to put into words. Grief, identity struggles, attachment challenges, and trauma can manifest in ways that adoptees and birth parents may not always know how to express.

Adoption Impacts the Whole Family