Adoption & Kinship Care Therapy in Sherwood Park
Families built through adoption and kinship care are formed in love – but also often through loss, transition, and trauma. At Midnight Sun Wellness, we understand the unique emotional terrain that adoptive and kinship families walk every day. Our therapists provide compassionate, specialized support for children, teens, and caregivers navigating identity, attachment, and the many challenges and joys of adoption.
Whether you’re an adoptive parent seeking support, a kinship caregiver facing unexpected responsibilities, or a young person struggling to understand your story – therapy can help.
Why Adoption and Kinship Care Bring Unique Emotional Needs
Adoption and kinship care are diverse and complex journeys. Some children are adopted domestically or internationally, others are placed with extended family members or through foster care. No matter the path, these experiences often involve early disruptions in attachment, grief, and a search for identity.
Common emotional experiences for adopted or kinship care children may include:
- Grief and loss related to birth family separation
- Confusion or distress around identity and belonging
- Struggles with trust and safety in relationships
- Emotional dysregulation and behavioral challenges
- Fear of rejection or abandonment
Caregivers may also face their own emotional hurdles, including:
- Difficulty forming secure attachments
- Parenting challenges rooted in trauma histories
- Navigating loyalty conflicts or divided family ties
- Feeling isolated or overwhelmed by complex needs
How Therapy Supports Adoptive and Kinship Families
Therapy offers a safe, non-judgmental space for families to explore, understand, and grow. Our therapists work with both children and caregivers to:
- Help children process their stories, including grief, trauma, and questions of identity
- Support parents and kinship caregivers in building secure, healthy attachment relationships
- Address emotional or behavioral dysregulation with developmentally appropriate strategies
- Offer guidance and support through key transitions like placement, reunification, or adolescence
Foster resilience, communication, and connection within the family system
Therapeutic Approaches Used in Adoption Therapy
At Midnight Sun Wellness, we use a variety of trauma-informed, child-centered, and attachment-based therapies to support families, including:
- Attachment-Focused Therapy: Helps caregivers and children build trust and emotional connection.
- Narrative Therapy & Life Story Work: Supports children and teens in understanding and owning their story.
- Play & Expressive Therapies: Engage children in a safe, developmentally appropriate way to express feelings and process experiences.
- Psychoeducation for Caregivers: Equips adults with knowledge about trauma, attachment, and child development.
Common Themes in the Therapy Room
Therapy with adoptive and kinship care families often explores themes like:
- Identity and belonging
- Trust and safety in relationships
- Fear of abandonment or rejection
- Grief and loss (past and ongoing)
- Rebuilding disrupted attachment
- Emotional regulation and behavioral challenges
The Role of Caregivers in the Healing Process
Caregivers are essential partners in the therapy process. Our work often includes:
- Emotionally attuned parenting strategies
- Supporting caregiver self-regulation to model co-regulation
- Helping adults navigate their own reactions and experiences
- Encouraging open, age-appropriate conversations about adoption, loss, and belonging
- Strengthening the caregiver-child bond through consistent, responsive care
When to Consider Adoption or Kinship Care Therapy
Therapy can be helpful at many points in a family’s journey—not just in crisis. You may want to reach out if:
- A child or teen is acting out, withdrawing, or expressing confusion about identity
- Your child is struggling with transitions, school, or peer relationships
- You feel overwhelmed, unsure how to support your child, or disconnected
- You’re preparing for or navigating big changes—like a new placement, contact with birth family, or adolescence
Take the First Step Today
Adoption and kinship care are courageous paths that require extra support, especially when navigating trauma, loss, or complex family dynamics. At Midnight Sun Wellness, we’re here to walk alongside you—honoring each family’s story and holding space for healing, connection, and growth.
Reach out to book a free 15-minute consultation with one of our therapists and begin your journey toward deeper understanding and stronger relationships.