Whether you’re an adoptee, birth parent, adoptive parent, or simply seeking to understand adoption better, the terminology can be overwhelming. Here’s a breakdown of common terms and resources that help bring clarity, support, and connection to the adoption journey.
Post-Adoption Resources / Services
A broad category of services and support offered after adoption is legally finalized. These resources aim to assist all parties—adoptees, adoptive parents, and birth parents—with long-term emotional, psychological, and relational challenges.
Includes:
- Counseling or therapy for trauma, grief, or identity development
- Parenting workshops (especially on trauma-informed care)
- Educational webinars and literature
- Help with birth family searches or reunion mediation
- Transracial adoption and cultural identity support
- School advocacy or IEP (Individualized Education Plan) support for adoptees
Explore:
Peer-Led Support Groups
Informal, community-based groups led by individuals with personal adoption experience. These are non-clinical, usually volunteer-led groups offering emotional support and shared lived experiences.
Features:
- Meetups in casual settings (cafes, libraries, online)
- Often organized via Facebook, Meetup.com, or nonprofit organizations
- Empathy-driven, not therapy-focused
Explore:
- Concerned United Birthparents
- [Facebook Groups – Search “Adoptee Support,” “Birth Parent Support,” etc.]
Clinician-Led or Licensed Professional Support Groups
These structured support groups are run by professionals such as licensed counselors, therapists, or social workers. They follow therapeutic frameworks and often include guided discussions, goal setting, and evidence-based practices.
Best For:
- Coping with complex trauma
- Navigating identity and loss
- Building communication skills in adoptive families
Explore:
Internet Forums
Online message boards and communities where members share personal stories, ask questions, and offer support. These spaces are accessible and anonymous but should be used with caution.
Notable Forums:
Search & Reunion Services
Adoptees and birth parents may seek to reconnect. These services guide individuals through the legal, emotional, and logistical challenges of finding and contacting birth relatives.
Includes:
- DNA testing services (AncestryDNA, 23andMe)
- Search angels (volunteers helping with reunions)
- State-run mutual consent registries
- Reunion counseling
Explore:
- International Soundex Reunion Registry (ISRR)
- Search Angels – Volunteer Search Help
- Grown in My Heart – Reunion Resources
Adoption Competent Therapist
A mental health professional trained specifically to address the unique needs of adoptees and adoptive/birth families. They understand trauma, loss, identity, and attachment from an adoption-centered lens.
Explore:
- Center for Adoption Support & Education (CASE)
- Therapist Finder via T.A.P.E.S. (The Adoption Professional Evaluation Standards)
Adoptee Voices / Advocacy Groups
Organizations and collectives led by adoptees that raise awareness, share resources, and advocate for ethical practices in adoption.
Explore:
