Speaker Talk: Balancing Personal and Professional Roles when working with Adoptees

This presentation will focus on the personal challenges experienced by parents raising adoptees. The common themes might include trauma, attachment difficulties as well as abandonment issues on the part of the child. Of equal importance, we will also examine the need on the therapist’s part to be aware of his or her own countertransference issues which might include the desire to be the savior or replacement parent to the child. Understanding the therapist’s role as a parent can create a better partnership in the treatment of your child. Dr. Russo will discuss her experience in working with adoptees but also as the mother of two adopted children.