post-adoption resources in Oregon

[Motherofmelody]

I adopted my daughter 12 years ago, when she was 6 months old. She was born in Korea. She was a relatively happy child until about the last 18 months. She has become progressively moody and especially resistant to going to school. She says she hates school and everyone there hates her. She has become progressively more argumentative negative about pretty much everything. I've been taking her to a therapist trying to help her through some of her emotional turmoil, but lately she has been focusing more and more on anxiety over being adopted. She goes from being angry at her birth mother for "throwing her away" to wanting to find her birth mother and go live with her because things here are so bad (mostly because she has to go to school).

Is this normal for a 12-year old, adopted girl? Are there any counselors or organizations in the Portland, OR area that might be able to help? Would it be helpful for her to meet other adopted kids and is there a network where we might meet other adoptive families?

Thanks for any ideas.

[Lillie]

Have you thought of signing her up for Holt's adoptee camp? I've heard really good things about it. Another thing you can do is call Holt (Eugene office) and ask for Steve Kalb in post adoption services. Steve is an adult adoptee as well as a social worker with lots of experience. He may have some insight. Though I don't have any personal experience with any of these people, here are some local therapists who have good reputations: Linda Shepard, Gail Hardman-Woung, or Ally Burr-Harris

[Lillie]

A couple more things:

* The Holt Portland office may also be a good source of information.

* NAFA (Northwest Adoptive Families Association http://www.nafaonline.org) hosting an adoption conference April 15-16th at Emmanuel Hospital which may have some good breakout sessions. Here is a link to the brochure: http://www.nafaonline.org/pdfFiles/2011 ... erence.pdf There is a session entitled "Building a Healing Environment for our Adopted Teens" which might be really helpful in your situation.

[Motherofmelody]

... There is a session entitled "Building a Healing Environment for our Adopted Teens" which might be really helpful in your situation.

Thank you very much. This session does sound perfect. I will look into it.

[Rich MOMents]

There is a HUGE network of post-adoption help in the Portland area. Getting bigger as we speak. You will probably get the most information by joining AttachOregon:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/attachOregon/

It's not a super active group, but all the local info goes there.

Dr. Kali Miller is nationally known, with folks flying in from out of state to see her:

Oregon
Dr. Kali Miller (psychologist)
Corinthia Counseling Center
3731 SE 164th
Portland, OR 97236
(503) 251-1952

Just in the last several months, the number of resources (camps for families, etc.) has exploded. Info is posted at AttachOregon.

Feel free to contact me for more info or to talk.
Cyn

[elfkin]

I LOVE Dr. Ally Burr-Harris at the Children's Program in SW Portland.