Back in April of 2006 I wrote a blog about How to Find a Therapist. If you are interested in reading that blog it is at http://birthfamily-search.adoptionblogs.com/weblogs/how-to-find-a-therapist. I thought today, I would let you know about the types of help that are available to you.

There are many different professionals who provide mental health services but not all of them may be available in your area. It may help to know the training and credentials... more

It's now official! DMC, aka Darryl McDaniels, formerly of the legendary rap group Run DMC, is appearing at the American Adoption Congress Conference this year in Boston. Darryl McDaniels is scheduled to give the keynote speech this year at the conference. I had heard some months back that Darryl might be at the conference and am glad to confirm that he will be there. This year's conference is the 28th annual Conference.... more

There are many adoptees who didn’t learn that they were adopted until later in life. Some may be in their late 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, or even older. These adoptees are referred to as Late Discovery Adoptees. Often times these adoptees learn of their adoption after the death of their adoptive parents. One of the challenges facing these adoptees is the dearth of information on discovering one is adopted later in life.

Ron Morgan is an adoptee who found out he was adopted in 1991 at the age of 36. In the past 15 years he has been in contact with hundreds... more

With the exception of a few adoptees, everyone I met at the retreat had relinquished a child to adoption. There were a couple of birth/first moms who were also adoptive moms as well. At least two attorneys are active members, and I know mothers who are nurses, college professors, social workers and teachers. What else? There is a real estate agent, a flight attendant and a lobbyist. Ah, yes, I forgot Sandy Musser, our token convicted felon!

After Sandy Musser was introduced, it was mentioned that she is a true example of "walking the walk" as far as family preservation... more

As I often talk about how important support groups can be, I have decided to begin a series to highlight some groups in specific states. Support groups can be lifesavers for those in search and reunion, or just dealing with other adoption issues. The support group that I know best is a national group called Concerned United Birthparents (“CUB”).

CUB recently modified their bylaws to permit a new type of group, Support Groups. These groups have fewer administrative requirements than branches... more

Part 1 and Part 2. Continuing with the friendly adoptive dad's story....Two of his children were under two years of age when they were adopted, he told me. His oldest son was adopted at age 12. He shared with me how much the son that they adopted at age 12 had matured and become a healthy, happy child. This dad touched me on so many levels as he... more

On Saturday, I went to sit for a short time with a adoptee who had an exhibit table at a local adoption conference. The conference was sponsored by the North American Counsel for Adoptable Children. Her table had literature, etc. for the American Adoption Congress whose stated mission is:

The American Adoption Congress comprises individuals, families and organizations committed to adoption reform. We represent those whose lives are touched by adoption or other loss of family continuity.

We promote honesty, openness and... more

Since I was not at the conference long, I did not have much of a chance to mingle and talk to people. However, a large black man enthusiastically shared his story with me and told me all about his family. He proudly showed me a picture taken at the convention with his wife and three of their five children, all of whom were adopted. His three stunningly beautiful daughters were black, as he was, but, his wife was white.

This man was clearly like many of the adoptive parent bloggers at adoptionblogs.com who had large, loving and happy families.... more

Over the weekend I learned that Adoption Network Cleveland recently received the 2005 Anisfield-Wolf Memorial $20,000 Award from the Center for Community Solutions and the Cleveland Foundation.

Adoption Network Cleveland was recognized for its work in finding permanent adoptive families for children and teens in Cuyahoga County. The annual award recognizes outstanding service by a nonprofit organization serving Greater Clevelanders.

Adoption Network Cleveland was founded in 1998 and is an educational, advocacy, support and search group for people affected... more

A couple of times I have had the pleasure of hearing Father Tom Brosnan speak at a couple of adoption conferences. The most recent was in July 2005 at the National Conference of the American Adoption Congress (AAC- www.americanadoptioncongress.org) The other was an Adoption Forum conference a few years ago (www.adoptionforum.org) I thought I would share a bit of what he spoke of in one of his keynote addresses.

For those of you who don’t know who Father Tom Brosnan is, he is a roman catholic priest of the Diocese of... more