Alex_8 — Maria-Alejandra De Araujo Sanchez, LCSW

Adoption therapist

in Oregon

Fill out this brief questionnaire to schedule your free consultation.

Thank you.

Let’s book your free consultation.

Thank you.

You have been added to our waitlist.
We will contact you as soon as we have an opening with a therapist in network with your insurance.

Book your appointment

Identity exploration

Identity exploration is an essential aspect of the adoption journey for many adoptees. It’s all about understanding who you are beneath the masks you have been wearing all your life. It is exploring who you are across your multiple origins. Exploring these aspects of your identity can bring a deeper sense of connection and understanding, helping you to feel more grounded in your own history and experiences.

Attachment issues

Exploring attachment issues involves delving into how your experiences, like separations or disruptions, might have influenced your ability to form secure connections with loved ones. Fear of rejection and abandonment, for instance, may impact your ability to bond and trust others. By addressing these issues, we aim to foster healthier and more fulfilling relationships, helping you build stronger emotional bonds and find a sense of security in your connections with others.

Grief and loss

Exploring grief and loss in the context of adoption involves acknowledging the pain of missing connections with birth family, the loss of cultural roots, and the absence of personal history that others might take for granted. Within our therapeutic space, we honor these feelings, offering empathy and support as you navigate this emotional landscape. Together, we will work to process these profound emotions, fostering healing and resilience.

Relationship healing

Relationship difficulties are not uncommon within families affected by adoption. Communication breakdowns, misunderstandings, secrets, and unaddressed emotions may complicate between you and your other close ones. Building trust forms the foundation for open and honest conversations, fostering empathy and understanding. Through our therapeutic work, we will address these elements together, helping you nurture healthier relationships and forge deeper connections with your loved ones.

Search and reunion

Search and reunion are significant milestones in the adoption journey, bringing both excitement and apprehension. This process is filled with emotions, ranging from anticipation to vulnerability. As we navigate the search and reunion together, I provide a supportive and understanding space for you to explore your feelings and emotions and navigate this transformative process. Together, we’ll foster healing and growth as you navigate the complexities of reconnecting with significant pieces of your history.

Self-esteem

Rebuilding self-esteem is a transformative journey that acknowledges the complexities of the adoption experience and how it may influence self-perception. Together, we explore any feelings of unworthiness or self-blame that can stem from your past experiences, so that you can confront and heal from these emotions, fostering self-compassion and acceptance. This process empowers you to celebrate your strengths, embrace your uniqueness, and find a sense of worthiness, ultimately nurturing a healthier self-image and greater self-esteem.

GET STARTED

An adoption therapist is not solely focused on adoptees

I work with:

Adult adoptees
(including domestic, transnational, transracial, kinship, etc.)

Adults who grew up in foster care

Spouse and children of adoptees

Adoptive family members of adoptees

Birth family members of adoptees

Birth parents considering adoption for their child

Prospective adoptive parents

While I specialized in providing support and guidance to adoptees, I also work with birth parents and adoptive families. Moreover, I offer a safe and empathetic space for parents, spouses, and other family members of adult adoptees who seek to improve their relationship with their loved ones. Whether you are considering adoption, have adopted, are preparing to relinquish, or have relinquished a child, I offer services tailored to your unique needs throughout the adoption journey.