Mental Health

Psychology Today

Psychology Today is a media outlet that publicizes literature and resources about behavioral science and mental health. This directory in particular offers detailed listings for mental health professionals in the United States that are adoption-competent.

Mental Health

Beyond Words Psychological Services

This LLC, established by Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker, offers a directory of professional (medical and mental health) resources in the Denver Metro Area. Dr. Wirta-Leiker specializes in issues of race, identity, societal expectaion, family relationships, and adoption.

Community Connection

American Adoptions: “Your Adoption Relationships”

This source is a starting point for adoptees who want to understand their relationships. Some of these guides are about friends, reunion, attachment theory, and more. This source can apply to and most benefit adoptees seeking guidance in understanding and approaching relationships.

Community Connection

Colorado Marriage Retreats: “Do People Who Are Adopted Have Trouble Loving?”

This article answers the question “Do People Who Are Adopted Have Trouble Loving?” from the partner of an adoptee — a licensed marriage and family therapist’s perspective. The response is empathetic and gives recommendations on what the partner should do. This source can apply to and most benefit other adoptees or spouses who are interested in improving a relationship that might be affected by adoption.

Community Connection

Adoption.com: “Confessions of an Adoptee’s Dating Life”

This article gives an adoptee’s perspective on how they might view dating, goes through attachment styles, and explains their feelings. This source can apply to and most benefit other adoptees who want to know more about how their identity could affect their dating life.

Community Connection

Adoption.com: Spouse of adoptee issues/support

This forum thread is to support spouses of adoptees. It deals with attachment issues, self-blaming, and biased personal opinions. It is important to understand that these perspectives are not universally true and may be triggering. This source can apply to and most benefit spouses of adoptees who want to connect with others and want new perspectives.

Community Connection

Adopt a Love Story: “10 Needs Adoptees Want You to Know About”

This article explains ten common needs adoptees want others to know about, like that adoption is a lifelong journey, they need to claim their identity, and more. This source can apply to and most benefit spouses of adoptees who want to understand more about an adoptee’s identity.

Community Connection

Transfiguring Adoption: “A Spouse’s Love for an Adoptee”

This narrative article shares the author’s experiences and perspectives on what it is like to be a spouse of an adoptee. He emphasizes with his wife’s feelings, explains the reasoning of his own feelings, and how he chooses to support her. This source can apply to and most benefit spouses of adoptees who want to understand another spouse’s perspective.

Community Connection

Adoption Reconnect

The Adoption Reconnect Facebook page focuses on partners of adoptees. It validates the feelings of partners of adoptees, explains an adoptee’s feelings/differences, and how one should support their adoptee partner. This source can apply to and most benefit spouses of adoptees who want to understand/support their partners.

Community Connection

Adoptee Restoration: “Trusting & Fully Loving Your Spouse or Significant Other (10 Important Choices adoptees Can Make)”

This narrative article shares the author’s experiences and gives a list of ten choices an adoptee can make in their relationship. It is important to understand that this article is faith based. This source can apply to and most benefit other adoptees who are figuring out their trust nd attachment issues with their spouse.

Resources