Adoption Therapy : Treatment Settings, Finding Therapist

by Child Welfare Information Gateway

(Page 3 of 4)

Treatment Settings

Therapy may take place as in-home therapy, outpatient counseling, group or residential treatment, or inpatient hospitalization.

Most therapy sessions take place in an outpatient setting. This means that the client is seen in the therapist's office, typically in a 50-minute session once a week. Most emotional and psychiatric problems do not become serious enough to require treatment beyond this level. Many adoption-sensitive therapists believe that therapy for adoptive families benefits from a more flexible time schedule and is best done when the entire family is included.

Sometimes a child can best be treated with the limits and structured environment that a residential treatment center provides. Residential treatment is often the treatment of choice for children and teens with emotional, behavioral, or substance abuse problems. Residential treatment centers, which provide 24-hour care, are generally private, nonprofit facilities set up for children with severe psychiatric or substance abuse needs. They may be organized in individual community homes, in a campus-type setting of cottages, or in a large institution (similar to a hospital setting).

Residential treatment programs focus on the development of positive coping skills and personal responsibility. Behavioral therapy often is practiced in residential treatment programs; that is, the child's good behavior will bring about appropriate rewards and privileges. Children in residential treatment usually have regular visits with their parents. Family connections are critical to help motivate children to change their behavior so that they can return home.

Hospitalization in a psychiatric hospital is available for clients with serious emotional problems that cannot be modified through outpatient therapy. It may be necessary for children who become suicidal or dangerous to themselves or others to be hospitalized to avert a crisis. It is important that parents stay involved; in fact, most child and adolescent units of psychiatric hospitals insist that parents participate in family meetings or therapy. If they are not automatically included, parents should be proactive in emphasizing the involvement of the family in their child's treatment.

Finding the Right Therapist

Locating the right therapist requires that a parent identify some prospective therapists who have adoption experience and then conduct preliminary interviews to find the one who seems best able to help the child or family.

Identifying prospective therapists. It is important that parents take the time to find a mental health provider who has the experience and expertise required to address their needs effectively. Professionals with adoption knowledge and experience are best suited to help families identify connections between problems and adoption and to plan effective treatment strategies. At a minimum, a therapist must:

• Be knowledgeable about adoption and the psychological impact of adoption on children and families
• Be experienced in working with adopted children and their families
• Know the types of help available for adoption-related issues and problems
• Have received training in working with adoptive families

Parents may contact community adoption support networks, use the Internet, and ask their placement agency for referrals to therapists. Many public and private adoption agencies and adoptive parent support groups have lists of therapists who have been trained in adoption issues or who have effectively worked with children in foster care and adoption. Some adoption agencies and specialized postadoption service agencies have mental health therapists trained in adoption on staff.

Parents can check with the following resources for therapist recommendations:

• Agency social workers involved in the child's adoption
• State or local mental health associations
• Public and private adoption agencies
• Local adoptive parent support groups
• Specialized postadoption service agencies
• State adoption offices
• National and State professional organizations

About the Author

www.childwelfare.gov
Formerly the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information and the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse, Child Welfare Information Gateway provides access to information and resources to help protect children and strengthen families. A service of the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.