Adoptive Parent Preparation and Adjustment Sessions
In order to prepare and support international adoptive families, AAI is pleased to promote Adoption Preparation and Adjustment sessions with an AAI-affiliated, licensed psychologist. Sessions for domestic adoptive families may also be available.
Adoption Preparation Session
The first session is designed to prepare parents to receive their child from the pre-adoption setting, usually an orphanage. The hour-long session will help to educate families on what to expect when first meeting their child and will include information on the initial adjustment period. Parents will learn ways to facilitate attachment and bonding. This session will take place shortly before parents leave to bring their child home.
Adoption Adjustment Session
The second session will occur four to six weeks after the family returns home. The purpose of this meeting will be to monitor the child’s adjustment by discussing topics such as the child’s behavior and the progress he or she has made in attaching and bonding with his or her new parents.
Additional Sessions
Families may choose to schedule extra sessions with the psychologist at any time following the adoption.
Participation Details
AAI is commited to promoting the most professional and comprehensive services to adoptive parents. We believe that these sessions will help give adoptive parents the tools they need to make their child’s transition as smooth as possible and will allow them to parent their childen with more confidence.
Sessions may be completed in person, or by telephone. Interested families should contact the AAI-affiliated, licensed psychologist, Kurt Ellis, at kncellis@att.net or by calling 616.217.8612.
