ABOUT:

This is a casual discussion group meant to support adoptive, fostering, & kinship parents and to build relationships between parents and their adopted/fostered children of all ages through community, conversation, and educational materials.

Each month we discuss part of a book or topic. We do this in an attempt to cover a larger variety of related issues, to increase our knowledge and awareness of the information that is out there, and to maximize our resources for the future. Although not required, sharing personal experiences and asking questions are encouraged. There is No requirement to read the chapters or to come to all discussions. Facilitators are committed to increasing their learning and understanding through the insight and perspective of other triad members, This group offers a safe place to share individual opinions and personal experiences, and ask questions openly and honestly about relinquishment and adoption-related issues.

-NOTE- Encompass Adoptees encourages critical thinking that takes into account all triad members in regard to all books and resources. Book discussions or reading lists in no way imply agreement with all portions of a book, nor does it indicate any endorsement of the author/s, their programs, techniques, etc.

Details at a Glance:

• Meets every 2nd Thursday of the month (except Dec for the holidays)

• In-Person- Meets at Encompass Adoptees at 122 S Terrace Ave, parking is alone the side of the building and on the street

• Facilitated by: Heather Gonzales LPC, an adult adoptee, licensed therapist, and the Founder and Director at Encompass + Amber Riley, the parent of 5 kids, 3 of which are adopted

• Child care is available for families who need this in order to arttend- Preregistion is required at least 1 week in advance - see link below.

• Currently discussing topics from: The Body Keeps the Score

• Discussing Ch - 7

This Program is Hosted, Developed, and Facilitated by Encompass Adoptees and is currently Funded and Sponsored by Ohio KAN

New Insights into Adoptee Attachment (and why traditional attachment models are inadequate)

by Pamela Cordano, MFT, Adult Adoptee Therapist

Encompass Adoptees Adoption Issues Online Speaker Series

Presentation Description:

As a therapist for 30 years (and an adoptee for 58), I’ve worked hard to understand the impact of relinquishment and adoption on one’s ability to find an authentic and stable sense of belonging in this world. Leading models of attachment theory do not adequately fit the adoptee experience. In this talk I will share powerful and difficult-to-language aspects of the adoptee’s challenge to form attachments, with the hope that a deeper understanding will help all parties in the adoption triad. 

This presentation is designed for participants at an Intermediate skill/familiarity level with this topic.

Presenter Bio:

Pamela Cordano, MFT is a psychotherapist and adoptee from California who is passionate about healing in community. Most of her work over 30 years has been focused on clients who experience serious illness or tragedy, where life was one way and suddenly changed on a dime. She later realized the trauma of this population mirrored her early life experience and that of many adoptees. Inspired by Viktor Frankl, Pam helps clients identify and cultivate what is uniquely meaningful to them, which allows for increased vitality and new possibilities. What excites her the most is helping people move from despair to finding a deeper Yes to their own lives. Because Pam is particularly interested in the power of healthy community to amplify the healing process, she facilitates healing courses and retreats for adult adoptees.

Author of:

The Extraordinary Superpowers of Adoptees article: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-extraordinary-superpowers-of-adoptees_us_5987a781e4b0f2c7d93f5702

And book 10 Foundations for a Meaningful Life (no matter what’s happened) 

Cost:

$15 Reduced Rate Due to partial funding given by Ohio Kinect/ KAN

This Program is sponsored by funding from Ohio Kinnect.

About:

This is a casual discussion group meant to support adoptive, fostering, & kinship parents and to build relationships between parents and their adopted/fostered children of all ages through community, conversation, and educational materials.

Each month we discuss part of a book or topic. We do this in an attempt to cover a larger variety of related issues, to increase our knowledge and awareness of the information that is out there, and to maximize our resources for the future. Although not required, sharing personal experiences and asking questions are encouraged. There is No requirement to read the chapters or to come to all discussions. Facilitators are committed to increasing their learning and understanding through the insight and perspective of other triad members, This group offers a safe place to share individual opinions and personal experiences, and ask questions openly and honestly about relinquishment and adoption-related issues.

-NOTE- Encompass Adoptees encourages critical thinking that takes into account all triad members in regard to all books and resources. Book discussions or reading lists in no way imply agreement with all portions of a book, nor does it indicate any endorsement of the author/s, their programs, techniques, etc.

Details at a Glance:

• Meets every 1st Thursday of the month (except Dec for the holidays)

• Online/ Zoom group -Please email us or pre-register in order to get the zoom link. After you have come once, and the group is able to verify new members are adoptive parents (to ensure a safe space for all attending), you can request to be added to the email list that receives the new link and password each month.

• Facilitated by: Heather Gonzales LPC, an adult adoptee, licensed therapist, and the Founder and Director at Encompass + Olivia Hamilton, a foster and adoptive parent and pastor of The Brood, a ministry for foster, adoptive, and kinship families (This space is designed to be inclusive of all people regardless of your faith/spiritual tradition or lack thereof)

• Currently discussing topics from: Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew

• Discussing ch 9-12

This Program is Hosted, Developed, and Facilitated by Encompass Adoptees

and is currently Funded and Sponsored by Ohio KAN