This article by Marlou Russell addresses some typical search and reunion issues.

Marlou Russell, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist and MFCC in private practice in Santa Monica, California where she specializes in adoption issues, and is the author of Adoption Wisdom.

If you are not familiar with Marlou Russell, I recommend her highly. Although she is helpful to all triad members, she particularly has a great deal of practical advice for adoptive parents. As an adoptee herself, she understands the adoption experience better than most. She has so much wise advice for not only adoptive parents, but counselors who work with all triad members.

In the article mentioned above, Marlou discusses many issues that crop up in search and reunions, and offers some insights into how to handle these issues. In addition to her book, Adoption Wisdom, Marlou offers a thoroughly worthwhile one day event, called "The Lifelong Impact of Adoption" in Santa Monica, California. The event is extremely well-done and full of useful information for all triad members, prospective adoptive parents, adoption professionals and others.

Her talk always has a good mix of people who join together to learn about adoption, and there is always something for everyone. Many local Concerned United Birthparents ("CUB"), members, including me, have attended her class multiple times. The event is different each time, and she does an excellent job in educating people about adoption.

For instance, one tid-bit she mentions for adoptive parents adopting internationally that I found made great sense. Marlou said when adopting a child from another country and culture, make sure to allow them to take something home with them. It is not important what the item is. It could be something as simple as a blanket, a tape of sounds of their country - anything that is familiar to them and might help them adjust and comfort them. Practical, concrete ideas are her speciality.

On Dr. Russell's website is Meeting My Mother which is Marlou's own reunion story with her birth mother.

Did I mention that she also has a PhD in psychology and is a licensed therapist and marriage and family counselor? Oh yes, I think that I did. Marlou is a warm, charming and soft-spoken person as well, and a great resource.