We want to assure you that while your child’s struggles are naturally upsetting, you’re not alone. Every baby learns the voice and heartbeat of their birth mother when they’re in the womb. Even if you provide a supportive, loving home for your adopted child, they’ll sense a “disruption” as a baby — in other words, they know they were with their birth mom but are now with someone else. This fetal trauma can impact their physical, emotional, and mental health down the road.

If your adopted child has trauma, psychological, and/or behavioral issues, these resources for struggling adoptive parents may help. We’ve provided local resources, other options, and even Facebook groups that can support you and your child.

Local Resources

Local Therapists

Vanessa Cochran, MSW, LSW at Counseling Partners 

Vanessa is a Christian but does not offer Christian counseling. She has always been supportive of her clients’ faith and clients/parents incorporating prayer and/or Scripture into sessions; she just cannot take the lead on that. 

Vanessa takes a very attachment-focused approach to therapy, involving parents as much as possible — which is wonderful for adopted children! Learn more at childandfamilypartners.org.

Wellspring Counseling Center

Wellspring Counseling provides Christian counseling with applied Biblical truth that is personally applicable and psychologically sound. Learn more at wellspringcenter.net.

Care to Change

Care to Change is a professional counseling center for your family’s life challenges. They combine Scripture, relevant experience, and proven techniques into one integrative approach to helping clients. 

Their experienced professionals have a deep educational background focused upon proven, research-based approaches for guiding people to the next step. What sets them apart is they’ve built that knowledge upon a solid foundation of Biblical truth. Learn more at caretochange.org.

Karen Cover

Karen is a Christian counselor with a focus in EMDR  (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) psychotherapy. You can reach her at 765.463.4504.

Children’s Bureau Adoption Program

The Children’s Bureau provides family-based services, support, and information for adoptive families, helping them access resources and connect with other families. Learn more by reading below and visiting childrensbureau.org/our-services/adoption. 

Post-Adoption Services

A Post Adoption Services Care Coordinator will meet with your family to determine your family’s strengths and needs. They’ll help you develop a service plan and obtain those services. 

Your Care Coordinator will also provide your family with information and resources concerning issues of adoption, parenting, advocacy, mental health services, respite, and more — as well as support through difficult times. Finally, families can connect with other adoptive families through support groups.

Riley Children’s Hospital

Does your child have a psychological or behavioral condition that needs ongoing attention? Or are they experiencing temporary challenges from stressful life events? 

Your child may benefit from an evaluation by a team of psychiatry specialists at Riley Children’s Hospital. These specialists provide diagnostic and treatment services for children of all ages. Learn more at rileychildrens.org/departments/psychiatry.

Other Options

Empowered to Connect

You can receive a study guide and other adoption and foster care resources from Dr. Karyn Purvis and other professionals. Learn more at empoweredtoconnect.org. 

Parent Intervention & Training

Debra and her experienced team of Parent Trainers offer a unique and individualized approach to applying the principles of Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®), a model developed by Drs. Karyn Purvis and David Cross at the Institute of Child Development at Texas Christian University. 

They offer phone consults at $100/hour, as well as in-home interventions for $3,000 to $4,000 per few days. Learn more at child.tcu.edu/about-us/tbri. 

Mercy Multiplied

Mercy Multiplied is a free, nonprofit Christian organization dedicated to helping young women break free from life-controlling behaviors and situations, including eating disorders, self-harm, drug and alcohol addictions, unplanned pregnancy, depression, sexual abuse, and sex trafficking. 

We hope to help every woman experience God’s unconditional love, forgiveness, and life-transforming power. Learn more at mercymultiplied.com. 

The Haven Retreat

This is a free, four-day retreat in Utah for women who have survived sexual abuse under the age of 18 and are now over 18. Transportation to and from the airport is provided, as well as all meals. 

Participants stay in a mansion in the middle of a canyon between two mountains. Each participant receives a therapist, a case manager, and 24-hour access to therapeutic staff on call. They also have a nurse on staff 24 hours a day and security on the grounds. The program includes group and individual therapy. 

Follow-up care includes an 8-week online recovery program with live access to a group with a specialized curriculum, one-on-one access to your case manager, and a support group online. Learn more at youniquefoundation.org/the-haven-retreat. 

The Envoy Group

The Envoy Group exists to help parents, grandparents, and guardians by utilizing our knowledge and experience to educate and connect families with struggling and at-risk teens to residential and therapeutic boarding school programs that potentially best fit their needs. Learn more at theenvoygroup.com. 

Christian Boarding Schools

Christian boarding schools and counseling for troubled teenagers, rated by parents. 

Please note: Programs are based on factors like age, sex, and certain needs (therapy, additions, level of care, etc.). 

Prices range from $2,600/month to $12,000+. Please call and ask about age, price, and exclusions based on your child’s needs. Learn more at bestchristianboardingschools.com.

Facebook Groups

Parenting with Connection 

facebook.com/groups/parentingwithconnection

Parenting Kids with Anxiety

facebook.com/groups/154405114714944

We hope these resources help you, your child, and your family through these challenges. Please know that our team (and the teams from the organizations we’ve listed) are here to support children and parents while providing information, healing, and comfort.

Still have questions, or need post-adoption support?

Gifts of Grace Adoption Support Center has worked with expecting moms, adoptive families, and children in the Lafayette, Indiana community since 2013. We believe that quality, affordable, Christ-centered adoption services empower pregnant moms and dads, create thriving adoptive families, and help all children be placed in a loving home.

For more information, please contact us. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

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