What is covered in adoption counseling?

By Blessing E. Ikhimokpa

After going through the adoption process, you’re starting to feel guilt about the process entirely. But don’t know who to talk to about it when it comes to seeking out help. You’ve never done it before. So, now that you’re thinking about it. You don’t know where to start. At  Adoption Choices of Missouri, our counselors will help answer any questions you may have.

What is adoption counseling?

The adoption process is different for everyone, what one birth mother may be experiencing. It may not be the same as another. Adoption counseling is for birth mothers who have already gone through the adoption process. Or are you going through it currently?

It’s there to educate birth mothers who are pregnant and considering adoption. Especially if the pregnancy was unplanned, if the pregnancy was unplanned, the adoption counselor will be there to go over the options the birth mother has available to them.

What do they talk about during the adoption counseling sessions?

At your local adoption agency during the counseling session. The counselor will ask the birth mother:

• How do they feel about the adoption?
• Do they feel regretful about their decision?
• Do they change their mind about the adoption?
• What emotions are they going through in regard to the adoption process?

What are the benefits of adoption counseling?

For birth mothers who have decided to place their birth child up for adoption. As a result of an unplanned pregnancy. Adoption counseling will help them overcome any unwanted emotions. They may feel towards the adoption process. Some of the benefits of adoption counseling are:

• If you’re new to the adoption process, the counselor could help guide you
• Any questions or concerns you have about Adoption in Missouri will be answered
• The counselor will help explain why you’re not giving a child up for adoption. But instead are placing them up for adoption. 
• If you’d like to be in the birth child’s life after the adoption. The counselor could show you how.
• Any feelings of grief and regret could be healed after a couple of sessions.

Who is adoption counseling for?

When it comes to adoption, there is birth mother grief. This means that since the birth child has been placed up for adoption. The birth mother will start to feel guilty. Which, as a result, leads them to have grief or loss. 

Some birth mothers tend to feel grief or loss towards the adoption process. Since they think they’ve given the birth child up. But it’s the opposite. The birth mother is giving the birth child a second chance by placing the birth child up for adoption. Depending on the type of adoption chosen. The birth mother will still be able to form a relationship with the child.

What type of adoption counseling sessions are there in Missouri?

Similar to therapy, adoption counseling has many different types. Those being:

• One-on-one sessions
• Support groups
• Birth mother retreats

If the birth mother chooses a one-on-one session. They’re given the privacy of just themselves and the counselor. Any questions the birth mother may have? The counselor will answer it. During the session, the counselor will review the options available to the birth mother. They can choose; to keep the baby, place the child up for adoption, or terminate the pregnancy. 

With support groups, the birth mother will be in a counseling session with multiple other birth mothers in the same boat. Their experiences won’t be the same. But similar in a way, the birth mother could relate. In this session, the counselor will go around the circle and ask the birth mothers to relay their experiences. Either with the adoption process or the pregnancy as a whole. 

Now, birth mother retreats are a type of vacation just for birth mothers. It’s where birth mothers relax and spend time with other birth mothers. They’ll be able to bond and grow from their experiences. While overcoming any difficulties at the same time. 

Why should birth mothers seek counseling after placing a child up for adoption?

Birth mothers should seek counseling because bottling up emotions isn’t healthy if the birth mother has any questions or concerns regarding the pregnancy and the adoption process. Instead, they should tell someone before it’s too late. 

When it comes to adoption, once the birth child has been adopted, the parental rights are taken from the birth parents and given to the adoptive parent (s). So, if the birth mother knows they’ll regret placing their birth child up for adoption. Or they know they’ll feel guilty. The birth mother should find an adoption counselor and relay the message. 

Counseling may feel like a hurdle, but it’s helpful to overcome it at the end of the day. Adoption Choices of Missouri serves birth parents statewide and beyond. Please call us or text us to learn more! Call us toll-free at 877-903-4488 or, in Missouri, call or text us at 816-527-9800