Episode 19 ADOPTION MATTERS: Real People, Real Life, Real Talk with Guest Sharon McNamara, Ed. D.,

Join co-hosts, adoption coaches, and triad members Kim Noeth, Sally Ankerfelt and Sharon Butler Obazee, for a poignant and informative discussion with this month's special guest, adoptee and developmental psychologist, Sharon McNamara. Sharon shares her own personal story as well as her work with members of the adoption constellation. Adopted people and adoptive parents need to understand that the separation of an infant from their first caregiver is a traumatic event and has life-long effects on the adopted person. Adoption may very well be the factor in an adoptee's emotional response to a given situation. And for adoptive parents, it is most important to develop a practice of "unconditional positive regard" as your adoptee works through trauma, grief, loss, rejection, identity, etc.

Sharon's approach to children and families is to help the child and family understand that most children have some version of relational trauma as a result of being adopted. By accepting this as a starting place, the adoptive parents can understand better how an adopted or foster child may have different reactions to so-called “normal” parenting practices. She also tries to help families understand the big picture regarding how information is always useful in helping adoptees and foster children make sense of their situation.

Sharon Stein McNamara, Ed. D., L.P. has been been practicing as a psychologist since 1991 when she graduated from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and did her internship in cognitive behavioral psychology at McLean Hospital, affiliated with the Harvard Medical School. In addition to this, she is was adopted as an infant and have been studying the effects of adoption on families for over 20 years.

Learn more about Sharon McNamara and her work here: www.sharonsteinmcnamara.com

Learn more about the adoption coaches at Growing Intentional Fmailies Together: giftfamilyservices.com