Adoption Counseling Post-Placement in Florida

By Staren Henry

Adoption can be hard and is not an option most birth mothers jump into headfirst. However, there are many reasons why you may choose to put your baby up for adoption in Florida. Maybe you don’t believe in abortion. Perhaps you’re experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and just aren’t prepared to be a parent. Whatever it is, you made the decision to give your child another shot at life and want to secure a better future for them.

For many birth mothers, there can be lingering feelings of guilt after putting their child up for private adoption. Many worry whether or not they made the right decision or if putting their child up for adoption meant that they were ‘giving up their baby’ and didn’t love them enough. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. If you are reading this, it is clear that you care deeply for your child. Fortunately, there are several ways to deal with post-placement guilt. We work with birth mothers to make them feel safe, reassured in their choice, and emotionally taken care of. 

Dealing with Adoption Guilt

No birth mother chooses adoption on a sudden whim. There are a lot of little reasons and factors that ultimately lead to you considering adoption, all of them pointing to you wanting a better life for your child. Even so, you may suddenly feel unsure of your choice. First off, it’s important to breathe, take a step back, and remind yourself of those reasons. Why was it that you began this journey in the first place? Do you still believe in those reasons? This may help you calm your anxieties.

There are many resources available for helping birth mothers deal with this sudden sense of guilt too. Here at Adoption Choices of Florida, birth mother counselors can give you expert guidance on dealing with post-placement grief. And if you’re currently in the process of forming an adoption plan, consider planning for the eventuality of needing post-placement counseling.  

Adoption Counseling Post-Placement and Support Options

The great thing about looking for help is that there are many options available to you as a birth mother. Some of these options can be more structured if you need it or more easy-going and private.  

1. Adoption Counseling

Therapy can be a great option for those who are really struggling with the grieving process. Therapy is not one-size-fits-all and offers a range of options, such as crisis intervention, solution-focused brief therapy, person-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and narrative therapy. You can choose to have one and one sessions, or you may find value in group sessions to see how others deal with their guilt. Either way, therapy can help you identify and articulate your feelings better to help you resolve them in a healthy way. 

2. Birth Mother Support Groups

Birth Mother Support Groups connect birth mothers just like you and give them a space to talk about their emotions freely. Your adoption agency can help you find a support group. Support groups are a judgment-free zone and are perfect if what you want is a safe haven. Talking to other birth mothers can give you fresh perspectives on the process of healing and can also help you feel far less alone in your grief. Support groups can help you gain a sense of community, and by talking with others, you can both give and receive emotional support. There are many local adoptions to look into for birth mother support groups.  

3. Finding Adoption Support

Relying on your Social Circles can sometimes be just as effective as seeking professional, structured help. This means consulting your own personal network of family and friends and seeking out their support. Finding reassurance in the people you see in your everyday life can be extremely comforting and validating. This period of seeking help can even lead to you strengthening your emotional bonds with your friends and family. And because these people are already a recurring and easily accessible part of your life, they can provide you with a sense of security and normalcy that other options may not be able to provide.  

We at Adoption Choices of Florida are Here to Help!

Remember, you’re not the first birth mother to deal with sudden feelings of shame or guilt. It is completely normal to suddenly have to grapple with and remedy these feelings, especially if this is your first time adopting out your baby. Here at Adoption Choices of Florida, we will do everything we can to help you heal and maintain a stable mental state. We care about you and your child. 

If you are a pregnant woman in Florida considering adoption and have any questions or concerns about the adoption process, please don’t hesitate to reach out. For more information on adoption, visit us at Adoption Choices of Florida or call or text us at: (833) 352-3678.