Thriving Adoptees - Let's Thrive

She was given up at birth and spent the first two years of her life in an orphanage before being adopted by what turned out to be a totally dysfunctional couple.  Daniela talks healing for adoptees being open to where they come from and addressing the pain of what's happened. She talks about self exploration and whether we're still rejecting ourselves because of the past. The power of what she sha...

Jeanine shares how  acknowledging  the origins of the adoption whilst embracing the present as it unfolds allows us to thrive. She talks about  psychology as a tool rather than  the be all and end all of thriving. It's a deep conversation as we go beyond the trauma to the truth of who we are. For more about empowering adoptees to thrive visit: https://www.thrivingadoptees.com https://twitter.com/_...

Jay Vaughan is a dramatherapist, Theraplay Practitioner & Supervisor, Somatic Experience Practitioner & Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapist. She was brought up by step parents which sowed some seeds for her work.  Her early experiences working in children's homes set her down a path to help children who've been through trauma and supporting their families. She combines her role of Clinical Direct...

Adam Pertman is President, CEO and Founder of the National Center on Adoption and Permanency, a unique national nonprofit organization that provides research, resources, education, training, consulting and advocacy to improve the lives of children, families and the professionals who serve them. NCAP’s mission is to update child welfare policy and practice in the U.S. so that they progress beyond t...

Years ago people were locked up for saying they heard voices in their head but I've yet to meet someone who doesn't have one. They may not have realised it's not them. They may not have realised they have one. But they ALL have one.  The negative voice in my head, the inner critic, the internal terrorist, the enemy within me started squawking early in my life. It really ramped up after some partic...

Nancy Verrier's seminal book the Primal Wound is much read and talked about in the adoption world. It had a profound effect on me. But not for the reason you might expect. This video challenges the theme of the book in a way that runs counter to a lot of thinking. That challenging might just give you a glimpse of hope. If it does that for one person I'll be delighted. More hope, understanding and...

Anna grew up biological siblings, an adoptive sister and a sister who her parents fostered. They also fostered many pre adoption babies. Her early years fuelled a desire to desire to help others. She studied to become a social worker and has specialised in adoption since 1988. She's now CEO of Adoption Focus a voluntary adoption agency. There's a lot of negative narratives about adoption and Anna...

Phyllis and her husband always knew that having children and adoption were going to be part of their life. They thought that their love would be enough for their children  to thrive. But they found out fairly soon that it wasn't enough. Nothing was working. One eye opening moment was reading her daughter's diary where she shared her the dark thoughts  and feelings.  Phylis took it upon herself to...

Mike and Kristin's passion is helping parents be the best parents they can be. They explain exactly what that means and how that helps children thrive: Feeling connected to their culture Having discovered their identity Recognising past trauma and feeling whole Having a purpose and making a positive impact on the world. To do that they discuss some big principles and specific practical help based...

"Why am I sitting here all by myself?"   asked  her son. Sue and her husband had to wait 4 years when biology wouldn't give their son a sister to make their family complete.  Sue fell in love with her daughter and adoption.  It changed her life. Then it changed her career. That gives her a unique perspective she's delighted to share with others. How thriving as parents helps children thrive too an...

Spencer's uplifting story starts with 11 failed placements including one stillborn child, his wife's two bouts of cancer  and countless miserable sleepless nights.  But the couple were always coming from love so they just keep going. More than anything else, they wanted to share their hearts and home with children - loving them like children are meant to be loved.   He shares what he's learned on...

Thriving Adoptees is a new podcast to inspire and empower adoptees and adopters. The aim - all adoptees thrive.  Each episode explores how to make that happen with stories, interviews and insights from adopters, adoptees and leaders in adoption. So why I'm doing this? I was adopted at 5 weeks old and told about it so young I don't ever remember not knowing.  I didn't suffer any adoption trauma unt...