Attachment focused therapy builds a secure emotional attachment between the child and their parents that can allow the child and family to heal and move towards healthy family functioning. Some children who were adopted at birth and had prenatal trauma, medical trauma, as well as those who had multiple caregivers after birth may have not developed a secure or organized attachment style. Children raised by the parents they were born to and experienced medical trauma, post-partum depression or trauma within the family system are challenged in their attachment style. Our work focuses on building parent child connection through attunement with their child, increasing sensitivity, developing a reflective function, and teaching attachment-facilitating parent approaches. Attachment focused therapy is relational and builds connection.

Adoption-competent therapists understand that the losses associated with adoption may cause a spectrum of challenges for a child. Embracing a child’s history from the time of pregnancy (prenatal exposures) to post birth separation and understanding the impact of abuse or neglect experienced before the child was adopted is critical to a holistic approach to healing. We believe that children thrive within the context of healthy family relationships and with parents who have the skills to support children whose behavior may be hard to understand. We have a working understanding of loss, attachment, trauma, and brain development, as well as knowledge of issues associated with adoption. We understand the critical importance of historical information for a child to embrace all parts of him or herself. We embrace whatever relationship the adoptee and family have with the birth family and provide support to keep that relationship healthy.

Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an evidence-based therapeutic model for children and adolescents impacted by trauma and their parents/caregivers. Trauma sensitive approaches to regulating emotions, thoughts, and relationships as well as processing trauma and enhancing trust and safety are core elements of this approach. All members of the clinical team are TF-CBT trained.

Strength-based therapy is a type of positive psychotherapy and counseling that focuses more on your internal strengths and resourcefulness, and less on weaknesses, failures, and shortcomings. This focus sets up a positive mindset that helps you build on you best qualities, find your strengths, improve resilience and change worldview to one that is more positive. A positive attitude, in turn, can help your expectations of yourself and others become more reasonable.

Trust Based Relational Intervention is an attachment based, trauma informed approach developed by Dr. Karyn Purvis. Connection is at the core of this intervention and offers practical tips for anyone working with children.

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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is an evidence-based approach to working with children and adults who have experienced trauma, attachment injuries, and challenges with emotional regulation. EMDR helps the brain digest complicated things to help with recovery.