Adoption is a life long search for self…
Adoption is not a single moment in a person’s life; it’s an ongoing experience that continues to shape how we see ourselves, how we trust, how we love, and how we belong.
Adoption has a way of amplifying life’s turning points, making them more complicated and sometimes more painful. Many adopted adults come in struggling with relationships, reunion with birth family, a secret uncovered, after becoming a parent themselves, or the loss of a loved one. These events often stir long-buried questions and emotions, erupting with an intensity that surprises even us.
Adopted kids become adults who still struggle to find themselves and search for a place to rest and simply be. You might notice patterns of striving, perfectionism, or self-criticism that don’t fully make sense, or feel a deep ache of not fully belonging. There can be a constant internal push and pull in your relationships, even with yourself. Even if you’ve tried therapy before, it may still feel like something essential hasn’t been unearthed, a part of you still unseen.
Therapy with someone who understands adoption means there’s space to untangle all of this. You’ll have time to meet yourself, to explore what’s yours, what’s been shaped by adoption, and bring compassion to what’s been unheard. This involves parts work, grief work, and likely some trauma work.
Resilience Austin Therapists that work with Adoption:
Kimberley Mead, LPC-S
Kimberley is an adoptee and works with adults of adoption exploring the impact that adoption has had on their life and relationships. She sees clients struggling with reunions, family ties, relational injuries, and searching for an understanding of who they are. She also provides training and consultation to family members or mental health professionals wishing to understand the impact more fully.