Adult Adoptees
Reclaiming Your Story
Being adopted is a lifelong journey—one that can stir up questions about identity, belonging, and connection. Even if your adoption was “normal” or loving, you may still carry a quiet ache:
A sense of not fully belonging anywhere.
Lingering grief or confusion about your origin story.
Difficulty trusting others or feeling safe in close relationships.
A persistent feeling that something is missing—even if you can’t name it.
These feelings are valid. They’re not signs of weakness—they’re signs of a story that deserves attention and care.
Understanding the Impact of Adoption
Even in infancy, adoption can leave a lasting imprint resulting from the deep, often unspoken loss that occurs when a child is separated from their birth parent(s). This early disruption can shape how you see yourself and how you relate to others.
As Nancy Verrier describes in The Primal Wound, this separation can create a lasting sense of disconnection, even in the most supportive adoptive families.
Navigating Identity and Attachment
Many adult adoptees grapple with complex emotions surrounding their identity and relationships. You might find yourself questioning:
Who am I beyond the labels of 'adopted' or 'adoptee'?
How do I form authentic connections when trust feels so fragile?
Is it okay to seek out my birth family or explore my cultural heritage?
These questions are not only normal—they're essential to your journey. Therapy can provide a safe, supportive space to explore these feelings, helping you to:
Understand and process the impact of early separation and loss
Develop a cohesive and empowered sense of self
Build secure, fulfilling relationships
Honor your full story, including the parts that have been hidden or silenced
You Deserve to Feel Whole
Whether you’re navigating reunion, exploring your identity, or simply trying to understand why certain patterns keep repeating, therapy can offer a safe, nonjudgmental space to explore it all.
You don’t have to carry this alone.
Together, we can work toward a deeper sense of peace, connection, and self-acceptance.