TITLE: Adoptee Mental Health Professionals

DESCRIPTION

Navigating our adoptions as adults is HARD (to say the very least and put it the most simply!). This month's panel will highlight Adoptees who have chosen Therapy as their professional paths. Being supported in a therapeutic setting by another Adoptee who truly 'gets it' can be deeply powerful. With NAAM right around the corner, Adoption Mosaic encourages every Adoptee attendee to reflect on their support system. Therapy is not for everyone and is certainly not the only avenue of healing. The next month can feel like A LOT for so many of us, make sure you have your supports and resources in place. We are here for you!

PANELISTS

Patrick Morris is a transracial adoptee, surrendered at age 4 and adopted at age 5. He graduated from the LSU School of Social Work in 2009, completed a 100-hour post-graduate certificate in Foster Care and Adoption Competency, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and has worked for the past six years as a therapist at the LSU Student Health Center. Patrick has focused his recent training in Internal Family Systems (IFS), Emotions Focused Therapy (EFT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Patrick has been consistent in being the client in therapy since 2014. Patrick has been married to his wife, Andrea, since 2002 and they are parents by birth to two children, ages 11 and 14. He will be going into private practice in early 2021 and is excited to focus part of his clinical work on serving those in the adoption community.

Dr. Susan Branco was born in Colombia, South America, adopted by US parents, and raised outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is a licensed professional counselor and clinical assistant professor in a clinical mental health counseling graduate program. For over 14 years she maintained an independent practice serving members of the adoption kinship network before transitioning to academia. Dr. Branco's research on transracial adoption and Colombian adoptees has been published in peer reviewed journals and she frequently presents on topics related to transracial adoption and training practices for counselors of Color. She still practices professional counseling with underinsured and underserved clients most of whom identify as immigrants and are Spanish speaking.

Beth Yu Simpson, She/Her is a Korean Transracial Adoptee, adopted at 7 months old, and raised in the Pacific Northwest. Beth is a MSW, and currently works at the University of Washington’s School of Social Work CWTAP program, where she works with students studying to work in public child welfare. While continuing to work at the UW, Beth will begin a new position as a holistic wellness therapist for iNfinitely Well. Beth is a co-chair/founder of Asian Adult Adoptees of Washington’s (AAAW) Adoptee Mentorship Program (AMP). Beth is honored to be on this panel, and hopes her sharing will support other adoptees in their journey of self-exploration and identity.

Amanda Transue-Woolston was adopted as an infant through the largest adoption agency in the US. For over a decade, Amanda has served children and families through therapy, groups, community organizing, policy advocacy, writing, and lecturing. Currently, Amanda is faculty for several colleges teaching social work, psychology, and sociology classes. Amanda is the founder of the Lost Daughters and The Declassified Adoptee and co-founder of Roots Incorporated. She looks forward to sharing perspectives from the field with fellow professionals on this panel.