Our Dual mission

Women who have placed children for adoption are significantly unrecognized and underserved in the United States and around the world. Whether they are called birth mothers, biological mothers, first mothers, or simply, mothers, they are often individuals who face significant emotional, familial, community, and economic stressors. In addition, the crisis of the unplanned pregnancy, and the loss of their child in the course of the adoption combined with the lack of recognition of their needs leave many of these women at risk for significantly high anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and future relational and parenting problems. (see research).

The professional education most therapists receive does not include any training in crisis pregnancies, adoption practices, adoption politics, or clinical issues associated with adoption. Even programs offering advanced certificates in adoption competence offer little education about the history, politics, and psycho-emotional consequences for women who place.  Untrained therapists can compound birth mothers’ sense of suffering and shame, especially when the therapists’ own assumptions and unconscious biases enter the work.