Working with Loss and Trauma Related to Past and Forced Adoption Practices

Separation from a child or from family through adoption has lifelong consequences which have frequently been ignored or dismissed by professionals in the past.  Individuals may come with a broad range of presenting difficulties, including depression and anxiety that may be related to being adopted or being separated from a child. Despite official government apologies, there is still a lack of awareness and understanding in most services.

It is essential for mental health practitioners and workers in community services to be able to provide sensitive, trauma-informed support to individuals affected and make referrals to specialist services when required. This training provides an overview of the context, impacts, and how to provide appropriate care.

Day One: Supporting individuals experiencing separation and loss through past and forced adoption practices is designed for a broad range of professionals in the health and community sector such as GP's, nurses, drug and alcohol workers, community support workers, case managers and counsellors.

Day One Learning Outcomes:

1. Recognise the context and impact of past adoption practices.

2. Engage empathically with individuals affected.

3. Identify the effects, loss and possible expressions of grief and trauma.

4. Provide referrals and resources to individuals for support.

Day Two: Counselling individuals experiencing separation and loss through past adoption practices is designed for counsellors, psychotherapists, social workers and psychologists who may work with individuals experiencing separation and loss as a result of past and forced adoption practices and who are registered with a recognised professional association and undertake regular supervision and professional development.
*Day One is a pre-requisite for Day Two.

Day Two Learning Outcomes:

1. Identify personal and systemic issues related to the complexities of adoption and the effects of grief and trauma.

2. Draw on a range of counselling and therapeutic approaches to support adaptive recovery.

3. Work with three unique areas of adoption complexity: the ‘late discovery’ of adoption status, the re-emergence of trauma and grief responses during search and contact, and the phenomenon of genetic sexual attraction.

A subsidised rate of $380 (incl. GST) is available for counsellors eligible for the VANISH Counsellor Register with availability to participate in our brokerage scheme (max 10 spots). Please contact us at info@vanish.org.au for more information.

Facilitator:

Dr Sue Green (B.Beh.Sci., Grad. Dip. Child & Adol. Psych., PhD (Psychology) MAPS) is a Psychologist, Training Consultant, Nationally Registered Mediator (NMAS) and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner with over 25 years' experience in the post-adoption support sector.