UNDERSTANDING ADOPTION IN ADULTHOOD

Adoption influences identity, attachment, grief, and belonging across a lifetime. Adults may face questions about origin stories, medical history, culture, and connection to birth or adoptive families. Some navigate search or reunion, while others prepare to adopt, explore fertility alternatives, or integrate family histories shaped by surrogacy or donor conception. Astute offers a safe, validating environment to process grief, reconnect with identity, and build grounded, values-based relationships.

WHAT IS ADOPTION-FOCUSED THERAPY? (PSYCHOEDUCATION)

• Attachment & regulation: early separation or transition can heighten vigilance; therapy builds trust, security, and nervous-system balance.
• Ambiguous loss: grief without closure (unknown history or incomplete information) can resurface at milestones—therapy creates space for honoring and integrating those layers.
• Identity & belonging: many adoptees navigate multiple cultural and family identities. Therapy supports reclamation and integration of story, culture, and choice.
• Family system healing: open dialogue around loyalty, secrecy, and boundaries can restore safety and mutual respect.
• Pre-adoption & surrogacy counseling: required and voluntary sessions for individuals or couples preparing for adoption or assisted reproduction, focusing on ethics, readiness, and attachment preparation.

THERAPY OPTIONS AT ASTUTE

For Adoptees (Adults 18+)

Identity, belonging, attachment repair, boundary setting, and support for search/reunion. Centered on validation and empowerment.

For Individuals or Couples Preparing to Adopt

Exploration of expectations, openness, transracial/transnational considerations, and parenting mindset—trauma-informed and ethics-based.

Adult Family Therapy

Support for adoptive or blended families navigating transitions, reunion, or boundary clarification.

Surrogacy / Third-Party Reproduction (Required Counseling)

Ethical and psychological readiness, expectations, informed consent, and documentation for clinics and agencies.

TRANSRACIAL & TRANSNATIONAL ADOPTION

Transracial and transnational adoptees often carry layered experiences of race, identity, and belonging. This work involves understanding cultural disconnection, racial trauma, systemic inequities, and the impact of representation on self-concept. Therapy helps adoptees explore cultural identity reconstruction, racial identity development, and ways to navigate both inclusion and microaggressions in family, work, and community settings. For adoptive parents, we focus on anti-racist parenting, cultural integration, and humility-based learning to raise awareness, accountability, and connection across racial and cultural differences.

Astute’s clinicians bring lived experience: Christy, one of our therapists, is an adoptee from Korea who integrates cultural understanding and authenticity into her work with individuals, couples, and families. Our adoption therapy team provides DEI-informed, identity-affirming care rooted in compassion, clinical excellence, and real-world understanding.

COORDINATED SUPPORT

• Collaboration with agencies, fertility specialists, and legal professionals when appropriate
• Guidance for letters, documentation, or ethical recommendations for surrogacy or adoption readiness
• Connection to culturally competent community supports and adoption networks

WHY CHOOSE ASTUTE

• Adult-focused (18+) adoption-competent clinicians with lived experience
• Christy—adoptee from Korea—brings unique insight and compassion to this work
• Inclusive, DEI-informed, trauma- and attachment-based approaches
• Integrated access to mind-body wellness and holistic support
• In-person (Lakeview, Chicago) and telehealth (Illinois residents)