Asha Simpson Psychotherapy

Adoption


As a therapist I have years of experience working with adoption and families who are dealing with issues of attachment and trauma. However, my passion for attachment issues came long ago. As a child who was adopted I not only have the professional experience but also the personal knowledge of what it is like to deal with adoption related issues. I strongly believe in the adoptive family unit and can help the family work together to reduce negativity. 


Many times when a family chooses to adopt a child they often think about all the wonderful memories they will make together. However, very little education is given to the family about what issues might come up after the adoption is final. Some parents also go through their own process of grief and heartache, which leads to their own pain and attachment issues.  These issues are not uncommon and are some of the most “normal” issues when dealing with attachment related concerns. For children, the challenges and behaviors are manifested through temper tantrums, anger, and acting out behaviors, depression, and some forms of anxiety. 


Over the course of our time together I spend with parents, child and any siblings in the family unit. The goal of treatment is often to move the family closer together and help the child deal with the pain, attachment and trauma experienced due to adoption related issues. It should be noted that should the parents be dealing with any attachment issues I also would spend time with the parents to address this concern. Because I don’t use a cookie cutter approach I often work with the family to develop a treatment plan that works best for them on a case-by-case basis.