Benefits of Counseling After Putting A Baby For Adoption

By Alexis Diamond

The benefits of counseling can often be overlooked. In terms of child adoption, the aftereffects of giving up your baby can be life-altering and stressful for the birth parents. These events, which change people’s lives drastically, can be dealt with through different forms of counseling. It is important to recognize, however, when it is necessary. We here at Adoption Choices of Florida believe that this can benefit both birth parents. Here, we address concerns that birth parents might express in regard to counseling post-adoption. Furthermore, we have also acquired a list of pros for further confirmation to influence those wondering if counseling is right for them. 

What Are the Pros of Post-Adoption Counseling?

Some of the most common issues that can be presented in post-adoption counseling include:

• Trauma
• Grief 
• Depression
• Other Behavioral Challenges

Addressing these challenges can be helpful in the healing process following adoption. Adoption overall can be incredibly stressful for multiple reasons. Some of these include the formulation of an adoption plan, or rather the loss of a child, which can lead to a form of grief. These can be dealt with in many different types of counseling. These can be done individually, with your partner, or with the child if you are an adoptee. However, there are multiple pros in facing these issues, which also include:

• Practicing Teamwork With Your Partner
• Managing Stress in Effective Ways
• Better Understanding the Behavior of Your Child
• Learning How to Manage and Form Parenting Skills

These facets can be approached in a multitude of ways. These can include Attachment Focused Therapy and Adoption and Permanency Competent Therapy. These can both aid in the healing of loss for both the parent and, in other cases, the child. Repairing and building bonds are also possible with these types of therapy, which can be helpful in the long run. Adapting these methods of therapy can be helpful in your curated adoption plan. Though this is helpful, there are concerns as to its efficacy.

Effectiveness of Post-Adoption Counseling

The primary questions in regards to post-adoption counseling have to do with price and the overall end result. Some birth parents have concerns that they will be “talked out” of adoption in some capacity. There is an innate possibility that they could change their mind due to hard convincing from the therapist. What should come as comfort, though, is that this rarely happens. If you reach out for counseling prior to adoption in Florida, rest assured you will not be strayed from adoption services. At the end of the day, the goal is to determine what is most helpful for you. This can call for inter-partner counseling for better bonding or adjustment to the adoption process. 

Along with this concern, there is the issue of whether or not the effort is worth it. Many times, birth parents can question themselves if it is really in their best interest to continue with counseling. That can be up to the parent’s themselves to decide. However, it is highly recommended that you engage in this type of therapy. They can be highly integral to the processing of an individual’s emotions. Adoption Florida can help provide these services or direct you to those who can. 

What is important to also consider is that there are no incorrect or wrong emotions to experience in regard to adoption. Many times, people feel grief or depression, but birth parents can also experience happiness or joy. It all depends on the individual situation, but keep in mind that there is no right way to feel. There also is not anything inherently wrong with you as a birth parent for resorting to counseling. It can be a helpful preventative measure in case you are worried about feeling negatively post-adoption. Counseling is never an indication that a person has something wrong with them, nor is it a sign that they are weak. Rather, it is a sign that you are looking out for the well-being of yourself and your family, which is a very selfless act. 

Considering Adoption After An Unplanned Pregnancy

Whether you are struggling with an unplanned pregnancy or have concerns for your or the child’s future, it can be beneficial to consider adoption. There are centers all around Florida, including adoption in Miami, to aid in your adoption-related needs. The adoption process may not be familiar to all, so we have come equipped with a guide on how to put your newborn up for adoption. If you are in a situation similar to what we have listed, consider contacting us at your earliest convenience. Adoption Florida can aid you in every step of the process, so you will never need to go through it alone.