Adoption is a lifelong journey, and emotional well-being plays a crucial role in navigating its complexities. Whether you are an adoptee, birth parent, or adoptive family, therapy can provide the support and tools needed to process emotions, build resilience, and strengthen relationships. The Gladney Center for Adoption’s Counseling Services offers a variety of specialized therapies tailored to meet the unique needs of the adoption community. Here are seven evidence-based approaches available to support your healing journey.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Managing Anxiety and Trauma
CBT is a widely used, goal-oriented therapy that helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns. For adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive families, CBT can be especially effective in addressing anxiety, depression, and trauma-related stress. By learning to reframe thoughts and develop healthier coping strategies, clients gain tools to manage their emotions and improve overall well-being.
- Helps reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms
- Encourages positive thinking and self-awareness
- Provides practical coping strategies for everyday life
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) – Healing Trauma and Building Resilience
TF-CBT is designed specifically for children and adolescents who have experienced trauma, including early attachment disruptions or loss. This therapy helps young adoptees and their families process traumatic experiences in a safe and structured way, leading to emotional healing and greater resilience. Parents and caregivers are often involved in the process to provide additional support at home.
- Addresses childhood trauma and emotional distress
- Strengthens coping mechanisms for long-term healing
- Incorporates family participation for a supportive environment
- Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) – Strengthening Family Attachment
TBRI is an attachment-based therapy developed for children who have experienced early adversity, such as neglect or institutional care. It focuses on helping parents build trust and connection with their children by understanding their needs and responding with empathy. This approach is particularly beneficial for adoptive families working through attachment challenges.
- Encourages healthy parent-child relationships
- Helps children develop emotional regulation skills
- Builds trust and connection through consistent support
- Family Systems Therapy – Strengthening Adoption Bonds
Adoption affects the entire family system, influencing relationships, roles, and emotions. Family Systems Therapy helps families navigate these dynamics by addressing communication patterns, unresolved conflicts, and emotional connections. This approach fosters a healthier, more cohesive family environment where each member feels heard and supported.
- Improves family communication and problem-solving
- Helps family members understand each other’s perspectives
- Supports emotional bonding and conflict resolution
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – Healing Through Trauma Processing
EMDR is an evidence-based therapy that helps individuals process and reframe distressing memories. This approach is particularly effective for adoptees and birth parents struggling with unresolved trauma, grief, or painful past experiences. Through guided eye movements, EMDR allows individuals to reduce the emotional intensity of difficult memories and move toward healing.
- Helps process traumatic adoption-related experiences
- Reduces emotional distress linked to past events
- Promotes long-term emotional healing and resilience
- Sandtray Therapy – Expressing Emotions Through Storytelling
Sandtray Therapy is a powerful, non-verbal approach that allows children and adults to process emotions through symbolic storytelling. By using miniature figures and a sandbox, clients create visual representations of their inner world, making it easier to explore difficult emotions. This method is particularly useful for adoptees who may struggle to express their feelings verbally.
- Encourages self-expression in a safe, creative way
- Helps process complex adoption-related emotions
- Reduces stress and promotes self-awareness
- Play Therapy – Expressive Healing for Young Adoptees
For young children, play is a natural way to communicate emotions. Play Therapy provides a therapeutic environment where children can express their feelings, work through anxiety, and build social-emotional skills. This approach is beneficial for adoptees adjusting to new family dynamics or struggling with attachment and identity concerns.
- Allows children to process emotions through play
- Encourages emotional regulation and social skills
- Provides a safe and supportive therapeutic space
Art Therapy uses creative activities like drawing, painting, and sculpting to help individuals explore emotions and experiences that may be difficult to express through words. For those touched by adoption—including children, teens, and adults—this therapy offers a safe and empowering space to process identity, grief, trauma, and change. Guided by a licensed art therapist, clients use visual expression to gain new perspectives and emotional clarity.
- Encourages self-discovery through artistic expression
- Supports healing from trauma, loss, and identity challenges
- Builds self-esteem and emotional resilience through creativity
Find the Right Therapy for You
No matter where you are in your adoption journey, Gladney Counseling Services is here to support you. Our compassionate therapists specialize in adoption-related challenges and provide individualized care to help you heal, grow, and thrive.
Call: 817-672-9581
Email: counseling@gladney.org
Reach out today to schedule a session and take the next step toward emotional well-being.
