
Thriving Adoptees - Let's Thrive
615 episodes — Page 6 of 13

Ep 417Healing On Every Level With Danielle Gaudette
Are you happy with your healing? If not it may be because there are still some parts of you yet to heal. Listen in as Danielle explores where we heal and what hinders our healing. Here are Danielle's previous interviews on Thriving Adoptees:https://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/upping-our-empathy-gamehttps://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/seeing-our-untarnished-soulHere's a bit about Danielle from her website:My name is Danielle and I am an Earth Citizen 🙂 .What I mean when I say that, is I have a sincere desire to see a healthier, happier and more peaceful world, and I believe it starts with me.I have dedicated my life to growing my own light by helping others to grow their light also. For this, I currently work as a Regional Manager of Body & Brain Centers in Seattle, WA., giving lectures and leading training and coaching sessions.My journey with this work and this path began over 20 years ago – when I started to seek healing for my own body, mind and spirit. I have created Healing Tree – the blog, and now the book – in order to share my stories and inspirations family, friends, my students, and anyone else who may be interested in the healing journey.It is a journey – and a long one at that! Sometimes it’s nice to know you have companions along the way, traveling down similar roads as you. It is my hope that the words you discover here become comforting friends for you, finding their way to your heart. Who knows, they may even turn on a small light in there 🙂 When my light, your light, and our lights shine bright together, what a beautiful world it will be! “Our adopted angel” – that’s what Danielle’s adoptive parents called her. She grew up adored, doted on, and unconditionally loved. It wasn’t until she was in college that she first felt a gnawing curiosity about her roots. From time to time, she would wonder: Where did this face come from? Where did this body come from? Where did this blood come from? Her search to find her biological parents had begun – one full of surprises and revelations.After reuniting with her birth mother – and uncovering the primal wound that lay deep within her – Danielle embarks on a twenty-year healing journey of self-discovery, reconciliation, and forgiveness.At once a heartfelt memoir and a guide to self-awareness, Healing Tree offers a compassionate exploration of self, family, and what it means to be whole. Rooted in her twenty-year practice in Body & Brain holistic mind/body techniques, Danielle offers an approachable eight-step method for anyone wishing to heal from emotional or psychological wounds. This method invites readers to cultivate a loving relationship with their authentic selves and charts a pathway to inner peace.For anyone who feels stuck, hurt, or rudderless in the sea of life, for anyone interested in doing the deep work of self-healing, becoming liberated, and realizing the potential to heal beyond themselves, Healing Tree is a source of direction, inspiration, and hope.Find out more at:https://www.daniellegaudette.com/https://www.facebook.com/danielle.gaudette.33https://www.facebook.com/DGhealingtreehttps://www.instagram.com/danielle.gaudette/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 416Our Whole Soul With Corissa Saint Laurent
Are you confused about who you are? Identity has many layers is inextricably linked with healing. Transracial Adoptee Corissa suffered in the deep darkness of depression and addiction. Listen in as she shines clarity on who we are and how we heal.Here's a link to her first interview https://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/how-we-find-ourselves-with-corissa-saint-laurentHere's more about Corissa from her website:WHO AM I?I’ve been asking myself this question my entire life. I’m a Korean-born, adopted, American, mother, wife, entrepreneur, energy worker, storyteller, teacher, mystic, marketer, connector, curator, manifesting generator, ENFP, nature worshipper, and spiritual explorer.When my mother was pregnant with me, she awoke from a dream of a giant shooting star falling to earth, and named me Byul Nim, the honorific form of the word ‘star’.It’s my destiny to shine light in this world.HOW DID IT ALL BEGIN?Being given up for adoption at 3 years old and moved to the United States to be raised by a new family who didn’t look, sound, or act anything like what I knew created a deep sense of abandonment and uncertainty about my identity.I adapted. I had to. And in the process locked all of my needs, hurts, and traumas away where they wouldn’t interfere with the success of my life. Other childhood traumas piled upon the already shaky foundation....More at:https://corissasaintlaurent.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/corissasaintlaurent/https://www.youtube.com/@corissasaintlaurenthttps://www.instagram.com/theeverydaymystic/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 415At Peace - Finally With Pamela Karanova
So many of have been fighting our feelings for so long that war is all we know. Pamela's whole life typified that. So how do we find peace? Listen in as she shares key moments, insights and much more on her hard fought journey to peace.Here's Pamela's interview from earlier this year https://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/finding-happiness-within-with-pamela-karanovaHere's the adoptee therapist directory https://growbeyondwords.com/adoptee-therapist-directory/Pamela Karanova, an adult adoptee, living in Lexington, Kentucky, was born in Waterloo, Iowa, in 1974. Although Pamela’s roots are scattered all over Iowa, she considers Kentucky to be her home.Pamela is the President of a National Nonprofit called Adoptees Connect. Adoptees Connect is focused on putting adoptee voices first, creating irreplaceable adoptee-centric spaces where adoptee voices meet. The original connect group was planted in Lexington, KY, in January 2018. In just three short years, 50 connect groups have been planted in different locations around the USA, with two being in Canada. Pamela’s vision for Adoptees Connect didn’t stop in her community. She desires all adoptees to have an adoptee community to fall back on, so these groups are growing and expanding globally. They are designed to take online relationships offline and get to know the person behind the profile. In April 2019, Pamela won the “Angel In Adoption” award on behalf of the National Association for Adoptees and Parents for her role in the adoption community. Pamela is the creator and founder of Adoptee Remembrance Day – October 30th. Here is a Adoptees Connect, Inc. Google Earth Project she’s created that shows all the group locations scattered all over the USA, Canada and even Queensland, Australia.Check out The Real Adoptea Moxie - adoptee-centric writings that boldly highlight the adoptee experience where motivation meets moxie at:therealadopteamoxie.substack.comhttps://www.facebook.com/pamelakaranovahttps://www.instagram.com/pamelakaranovahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelakaranova/https://open.spotify.com/show/2FGmPmog8cFONagMM7ILja?si=a8a26cdc659c4a4d&nd=1https://pamelakaranova.com/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 414Repairing Ourselves With Elliott Driscoll
Do you feel broken? Or that bits of you are? Adoptee and psychotherapist Elliott and go deep on figuring out the broken bits including the hard to get bits we don't have words for. Empowering insights into the things stored in our implicit memory.Elliott Driscoll (he/him) is a psychotherapist at The Resource Group, and has been practicing for more than 20 years in New York, New Jersey and Maryland. He works with clients ages 22 and older. He holds a Master’s of Science in Social Work from Columbia University and a Master’s in Business Administration from Loyola College. He specializes in treating individuals struggling with addiction, trauma, and depression. Elliott is Psychodynamically trained and uses aspects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Enhancement Therapy, and Logotherapyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/elliott-driscoll-13434a7/https://resourcegrp.org/https://www.facebook.com/ResourceGroupMDhttps://twitter.com/ResourceGroupMDhttps://www.instagram.com/resourcegroupmd/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 413Loving Our Lives With Jill Uchiyama
Spontaneous gratitude from within is way different to being told to be grateful by others. Listen in as we explore Jill's expansive and powerful take on healing - loving our lives.Jill Uchiyama (Skufakiss) was born in New York City in 1968. She grew up in Hammond, Indiana and attended Indiana University and Western Michigan University where she received a Master’s Degree in Counseling. Her passion for psychology later turned to a lifelong interest in spirituality. As a long-time meditator and seeker, Ms. Uchiyama draws upon her love of nature, philosophy, education, and life in all of her creative endeavors- including writing, playing music, and filmmaking.Her first collection of poems, "Out of the Fog," was published in 2022. It was inspired over a lifetime of writing poetry dedicated to her family members- her adopted family and her imagined biological family. Many of the poems touch upon the closed adoption experience. Prior to writing this first book, Ms. Uchiyama was published in many online magazines including The Huffington Post, The BBC, Apple News, Slate, and Time. She was awarded Quora Top Writer from 2013-2018. In 2013, Ms. Uchiyama produced her first Legacy film which appeared at the New Filmmaker's Film Festival in NYC and debuted at Boston University's Tsai Performance Center. She is for hire in order to do films and videography about the personal purpose and meaning of the lives of her Legacy subjects and crafts films that artfully express those stories. Her films have been shared and shown all over the world and are available to watch on Vimeo.In addition, Ms. Uchiyama has had a 30 year career in human service work- beginning as a family counselor in Lowell, MA- she then became an EFL teacher in Japan from 1996-2001. In Boston, she continued to teach English as a Second Language and then became Director of several educational programs. She has taught people from over 40 countries. Currently, she is a grant writer for the Manchester School District and lives in New Hampshire. Her love for walking and nature has inspired her filmmaking and writing. In 2017, she completed the Camino de Santiago in Spain. Her latest adventure is learning the sitar. Listen to Jill's first interview here https://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/a-clearer-sense-of-self-with-jill-uchiyamahttps://www.jilluchiyama.com/https://www.facebook.com/jill.uchiyamahttps://www.facebook.com/legacyfilmsbyJillhttps://www.youtube.com/@jilluchiyamahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jilluchiyama/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 412Feeling We Belong With Julie McGue
Do you feel you belong? Being relinquished disrupts our attachment and reunion doesn't always fix that. Julie shares how she found the feeling of belonging and peace when reunion didn't go to plan. Here's the link to the article Julie mentions https://www.thebeacher.com/2023/pages/110223p.html#lg=1&slide=19Julie Ryan McGue is an author, a domestic adoptee, and an identical twin. She writes extensively about finding out who you are, where you belong, and making sense of it.Julie’s debut award winning memoir Twice a Daughter: A Search for Identity, Family, and Belonging (She Writes Press) came out in May 2021. It is the story of her five-year search for birth relatives. Her weekly blogs That Girl, This Life and monthly column at The Beacher focus on identity, family, and life’s quirky moments. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Julie received a BA from Indiana University in Psychology. She earned a MM in Marketing from the Kellogg Graduate School of Business, Northwestern University. She has served multiple terms on the Board of the Midwest Adoption Center and is an active member of the American Adoption Congress.Julie splits her time between Northwest Indiana and Sarasota, Florida. She is the mother of four adult children and has three grandsons. If she’s not at her computer, she’s on the tennis court, or out exploring with her Nikon. Julie is currently working on a collection of personal essays.https://juliemcgueauthor.com/https://www.facebook.com/juliemcguewrites/https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-ryan-mcgue-a246b841/https://www.instagram.com/julieryanmcgue/https://twitter.com/juliermcgue Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 411Holistic Healing With Claire Magenheimer
It's hard to heal pre-verbal trauma through talk therapy alone because we literally can't put words to it. So what do we do? Adoptee and adoptee coach dives into a holistic approach to healing. I hope it sets off as many lightbulb moments for you as it did for me.Here's a bit about Claire from her website:"I was born in South Korea and was adopted from Star of the Sea Orphanage by an American family in Wellesley, MA. I have an older brother and a younger sister, also a KAD (Korean Adoptee).Growing up in a predominantly white community was difficult for me and I never felt like I fit in, or belonged. I faced racism and bullying pretty much as long as I can remember. For most of my life, I suffered from anxiety, depression, and I had low self esteem. I was a rebellious teenager and I developed unhealthy addictions and toxic relationships. But the worst relationship was with myself. I knew that I needed a big change in my life but I didn't know how to start.Over the years, I went through lots of therapy, coaching, and did the hard work on myself so I could change my negative patterns and learn how to transform my mindset. This is what allowed me to evolve into who I am today and become more aligned with my true authentic self. I have discovered that by following my dharma, it has led me to embrace my true purpose in life - to empower others to go within and find their own light.As an adoptee empowerment coach, I possess a profound understanding of the unique emotional journey that adoptees face. I noticed that many adoptees were struggling with stress, anxiety, emotional regulation, people pleasing, overthinking, fear of rejection and abandonment, numbing out with unhealthy habits, somatic symptoms, and chronic illnesses. They all were in need of tools to help them navigate these challenges.My coaching approach is centered on meeting my clients exactly where they are in their personal journeys. I firmly believe in tapping into my clients' inner wisdom to facilitate lasting transformation. I view each client as a whole, resourceful, and complete individual who doesn't need "fixing." My role is to guide and support them on their path to self-discovery.With over a decade of experience as a health, wellness, fitness coach, and empowerment coach, I’m committed to providing invaluable support and guidance to individuals ready to make positive changes in their lives. My client-centered approach, rooted in neuroscience and nervous system regulation, empowers my clients to embrace their unique journeys, overcome challenges, and achieve lasting transformation.As a Somatic Breathwork practitioner, I have been trained to hold space for each client and guide them through a powerful journey using specific breathing techniques. This process allows clients to uncover blocked emotions, release stored stress and trauma in their bodies, and connect with their inner truth and power. After each session, I support my clients in integrating these insights to re-pattern their thoughts and behaviors, ultimately helping them create a more empowered and fulfilling life.My mission is to empower my clients and partner with them while they navigate the distinctive challenges and emotional complexities that come with being an adoptee. Through my expertise, compassion, and unwavering dedication, I hope to make a profound difference in the lives of people I serve."Listen to Claire's first interview here: https://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/overcoming-struggles-with-transracial-adoptee-claire-magenheimerConnect with her here:https://www.facebook.com/claire.magenheimerhttps://www.instagram.com/claire_magenheimerhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-magenheimer/https://coachwithclaire.mykajabi.com/coach-with-claire Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 410The Healing Space
Today's episode is a LOT different. Listen in as I point you towards that healing space beyond trauma.Here's the link to a spine tingling video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEbGC1UWaLQ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 408Self Compassion With Spring Hecht
How much compassion do have you for yourself? We give ourselves a hard time, until we don't. Listen in as adoptee and therapist Spring shares insights about giving ourselves more compassion along the healing journey. I learned a lot from this great conversation - especially about being at peace with my anger. I hope you find some healing insights too.Here's the book I mention:https://www.amazon.com/No-Bad-Parts-Restoring-Wholeness/dp/1683646681Here's the interview I mention:https://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/freedom-with-emma-stevensMy name is Spring Hecht and I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with over 20 years of experience supporting individuals, children and their families. In my former role as the Vice President of Social Services at one of the foremost foster care and adoption agencies in the country, I had the privilege of helping transform the lives of many. I have served on the Board of Washington Adoption Reunion Movement (WARM) the Vashon Island School Board, and the Adoptee Mentoring Society. I also enjoy additional volunteer work as co-chair of a Racial Equity & Inclusion Committee in my school district. I have presented at numerous conferences and been a guest speaker on NPR and an NBC-affiliated television station. I am an adopted person with a unique understanding of the lifelong adoption issues that can impact all members of the adoption constellation. Education and TrainingI attended Whitman College in Washington State and earned a B.A. in Psychology. I continued my studies at Columbia University in New York where I completed a Masters degree in Social Work in 2001. I am certified as an Attachment and Trauma Therapist through Cascadia Training, and I have post-graduate certification in Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) through TCU Institute for Child Development. I am an Emdria trained EMDR therapist and IFS trained therapist. I am a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Psychodynamic ApproachPsychodynamic therapy aims to address the foundation and formation of psychological processes in order to alleviate symptoms and improve people's lives. My treatment approach is client-centered and tailored to fit your individual or family's needs, in a safe and supportive environment. Together we will consider emotions, thoughts, early-life experiences and beliefs to gain insight into your life and better understand present-day challenges, and to evaluate the patterns that have developed over time. I will provide support, encouragement and practical strategies, and help you develop and achieve your goals and find hope and healing. ExpertiseAdoption, trauma, grief/loss, identity issues including race/culture, depression, anxiety, ADHD, family conflict, parenting, teens, divorce, infertility, post-partum issues, life transitions, and personal growth. I welcome people of all races, ethnic groups, religions/creed, genders, and sexual orientations. https://healingworkstherapy.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/spring-hecht-62a3a075/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 407A Healing Mindset Megan Stroup
We don't hear the word mindset a lot in adoptee circles. That's strange because healing often involves a change in what we think. Listen in as adoptee and therapist Megan shares her insights to help you heal.Here's a bit about Megan from her website:Megan's specialties are working with all facets of the adoption constellation and with women experiencing stress, anxiety, and burnout. She's trained in TBRI, Theraplay, Brainspotting, and Trauma Informed Care and has worked with families in the child welfare/ adoption realm for the last 18 years. She's very passionate about this work as she is an adoptee.She has three children and my dog, Tucker, often makes appearances in my telehealth sessions from home.Megan is licensed in Indiana.Here's a link to the interview with Cindy of Hiraeth, Hope and Healing https://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/how-we-heal-with-cindy-mcquayhttps://www.facebook.com/meganstrouptic/https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-stroup-lcsw-3377901b0/https://inadoptioncounseling.com/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 406Understanding Healing With Abby Derr-Moore
Looking for a roadmap to healing? Listen in as adoptee and therapist Abby sets out how the stages we go through. Very succinct and clear. Here's a bit about Abby from her website:"I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist that specializes in Complex Trauma, Dissociative Disorders, and Attachment. (I know, it's a mouthful)! I have a passion for finding innovative solutions to complex problems. I work from a systems model, meaning that I look at how different parts of a dynamic interact as a whole. Therefore, I tend to see issues from a variety of unique perspectives that allow for creative solution making that it not typically considered while helping clients learn to tap into their strengths within. I believe that every individual and family has the innate ability to heal. In turn, I spent over a decade’s worth of education and clinical experience learning how to tap into a person's natural ability to heal. As a clinician, my energy in the therapy room is warm, compassionate, and transparent while also knowing the importance of adding some comic relief, creative expression, and play throughout the therapeutic process. How My Passion Became My ProfessionMy path towards becoming a clinical counselor started with an interest in Biology. Biology? Yeah, I know, nerdy. Please bear with me. I always had a fascination for how nature seemed to always find a way to maintain balance (or what is called "homeostasis" in the scientific world). It was fascinating to see that when nature became imbalanced, it could self-correct on it's own with the right support--that the destruction of wildfires could led to the growth of new life, that a broken bone could repair itself, and so on. Then a personal mentor showed me the world of psychology and I fell in love with the matters of the mind. In college, I struggled to know what path to take. Pursue a hard science or soft science career?Fortunately, in my last semester of college, I took a Marriage and Family Psychology course where I learned about systems theory and how biological concepts of homeostasis were applied to human relationships. From there, I pursued my Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. I learned how to help individuals, couples, and families tap into their ability to renew balance just by making subtle shifts in how each member interacted with each other.But once I started working in a community with a high number of families experiencing chronic trauma and attachment difficulties, I was struggling to tap into these natural healing processes. I noticed that it was common for many facing these complex issues to express feeling lost or defeated--even with the best of efforts. Clients started to believe “it was all in their heads” and that they should “just get over it.” But I knew their pain and experience was valid and I still strongly believed that with the right support, every person and family has the innate ability to heal. So I knew I was missing something. In turn, my strong belief in the human spirit led me to spend the next several years learning how complex trauma survivors can access their natural ability to find balance within and to heal throughout.In that, I discovered that by nature, trauma presents a paradox which contradicted some of the traditional ways I was taught to renew balance in a system. I found science that proved that "it's not all in your head" and that one can't "just get over it." In fact, it is actually the body that carries the trauma and humans heal attachment injuries through safe relationships. I also realized that despite these issues being quite common, very few clinicians were trained in complex issues around trauma, dissociation, and attachment. In turn, this fueled my desire to specialize in complex trauma so every client could have the opportunity to heal, renew balance, and find strength in their story."https://www.linkedin.com/in/abby-derr-moore-lpc-lmft-9b347295/https://www.renewedbalancetherapy.com/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 405Belonging And Healing With Nicole Rademacher
Do you long to belong? Could belonging help you heal? Listen in as transcultural adoptee Nicole shares her profound insights to help you along your healing curve.Here's a bit about Nicole from her website:"I was born to one set of parents and adopted by another set. I grew up always knowing that I was adopted, yet I knew very little about my roots. Consequently I lived in the fantasies that only children can invent––as an adoptee from a closed adoption, those fantasies were always a plausible reality.The influence of my adoption and reunion (with my biological family) feature prominently in my studio practice where I explore concepts of intimacy, identity, and belonging through visual work as well as in community-based works.In 2021, I received my MA from Loyola Marymount University in Marital & Family Therapy with a Specialization in Clinical Art Therapy. I came to that program as I began more decidedly to do work with the community, specifically my community of the adoption constellation.Proudly, I was awarded an Adoptees for Awareness Grant, Individual Artist Fellowship (California Arts Council), and a Creative Corps Grant (Arts Council for Long Beach/California Arts Council) in 2023, received an Artistic Community Engagement Grant from the Rema Hort Mann Foundation in 2016, and I have collaborated and shown work internationally in Europe, Africa, Australia, Asia, South America, and North America (specifically the US, Canada, Mexico and Cuba).I currently live and work in Los Angeles."Photo credit: Jeff Forney @jefforney on Insta https://www.instagram.com/jeffforney/We Are Not Our Cruxes:https://bit.ly/wearenotourcruxesRSVP for first event of We Are Not Our Cruxes:https://bit.ly/cruxes-session-oneArtist website: nicolerademacher.comTherapist website: nicrrad.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nicrradhttps://twitter.com/nicrradhttps://www.facebook.com/nicrrad/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 403Spirituality & Adoptees Christelle Pellecuer
Has psychology - the most common path in the western world - failed to make you feel whole? Are you looking for something more healing? A spiritual exploration can help us heal as part of a holistic approach. Listen in as Christelle brings her unique experience to support us along the path to wholeness.Here's a bit about Christelle from her website:"I was born in Madagascar, raised in South of France, lived in the UK for over 20 years and I now living in Portugal.I was adopted in South of France at the age of 10 and my lived experience as an transracial adoptee as led me to do work with adoptees and adoption agencies.Embraced early in a world of fashion and design, I grew up surrounded by dress makers. At the age of eight, following the death of my mother, I was placed with a Catholic missionary school for girls to learn to sew and to knit. At the school, I designed and created my first dress and learnt how to knit. Since then creativity has been an important part of my life and I have always been fascinated by beautiful design and fashion which later extended to my love of makeup, hair design and costume.It’s this passion that led me to study makeup artistry at the Academy of Freelance Makeup in London. My work experience covers advertising campaigns, films, music videos, TV shows, London and Paris Fashion Week, products launches as well as lifestyle, fashion look books, magazine and beauty shoots. I later expanded my skills into producing fashion events. My background also includes working in the education sector for over 15 years undertaking programme/project management roles with an international focus. I also led a non-profit organisation and co-led a community theatre company.I was shortlisted in the 2018 Bristol BME Powerlist, which showcases the city’s 100 most inspiring, successful and influential black and minority ethnic people. I was shortlisted in the top 100 West Women of the year 2019 and nominated to be part of the Black Hall of Fame at the University of the West of England.I am a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, fellow of the School of Social Enterprise Creative Leadership programme and a fellow of National Arts Strategy (USA-based) Creative Community Fellowship programme.I am also a presenter on Imperial Voice Radio, with a show called Fashion Rendez-vous."https://www.christellepellecuer.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/christellepellecuerhttps://www.instagram.com/mschristellerosettehttps://twitter.com/mschristellephttps://www.facebook.com/christelle.pellecuer Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 402How To Heal With Candi Byrne
Would you like to bust the belief that there's something wrong with you? It's a belief born out of us being relinquished. One that's shared by so many of us. A belief that shapes our lives. Candi shares a 5 step process to bust the belief. Empowering. Inspirational. Healing.Here's a bit about Candi and her book:A raw, often wry, memoir of mothers, mysteries, and miracles. Surrendered at birth in a closed adoption, Candi Byrne’s biology and ethnicity is a secret. The impending arrival of her first grandchild ignites an urgency to identify potential genetic time bombs and confirm her ancestry. Due to arcane privacy laws, Candi is repeatedly denied access to the one person who could provide that information—her biological mother.After years of failed attempts, she resigns herself to never learning the truth about her roots; that is, until her ninety-year-old Aunt Delores has a vision and insists Candi resume efforts to find her birth family. Candi is gobsmacked when an internet search she’s performed thousands of times before suddenly reveals her birth mother’s identity. Within hours, she ends up on the doorstep of her birth mother—a place she’s sworn never to visit.After a series of guilt-driven interactions with “Those People,” as she refers to her maternal birth family, Candi terminates contact. Although the reunion proves disastrous, it opens her eyes to truths about her relationship with her adoptive mother, Delphine. Though their relationship was difficult and contentious during Delphine’s life, a series of miraculous experiences after her death guides Candi home to herself—where, she learns, she has belonged all along.https://www.instagram.com/candibyrne/https://www.sweetfirecoaching.com/https://www.amazon.com/dp/1647422795/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_0J00P6AHHVS73TT69EYB Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 401Healing Obsessed With Vin
EIf time was the greatest healer we'd all be done healing by now. So what IS the biggest healer? And what does healing even mean. Listen as we obsess on healing to help you along your journey to wholeness.Vin runs a Facebook group where adoptees and adopters can learn from one another in a friendly and no conflict environment.Connect with him at:https://www.facebook.com/vinadopteejarrodListen to Vin on other episodes of Thriving Adopteeshttps://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/what-stops-us-thriving-with-vinhttps://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/vin-adoptees-emotional-rollercoaster Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 400Healing Clarity Sydney Parkhurst
Do you feel confused? Clarity brings peace and helps us heal. Transracial adoptee Sydney shares some of the key insights that have brought her healing clarity. Listen in for your own insights.Here's a bit about Sydney from her website:At the beginning of the pandemic in April 2020, I received a Instagram DM from a girl claiming to be my half sister. As a transracial adoptee (biracial/half black, adopted by a white family) who has always been curious about her birth family, I knew that this text would change my life. And it did.I was raised in a predominately – white community and experienced things such as separation anxiety, microagressions and identity crises for the majority of my life. Taking a DNA test and finding my half sister was just the beginning of my journey to finding my identity.At the University of Tampa, I took a writing class and chose adoption as my subject for a research paper. I assumed all I would have to do is tell my story, do a little research and I’d get an automatic A right? Well, that’s not exactly what happened. As I was researching, I came across the words “transracial adoption”. Ironically, I had absolutely no idea what that meant, but when I found out, my whole world was flipped upside down.Suddenly, all of my anxiety, confusion, and feelings about being out of place were justified. I wasn’t alone.For me, it has been a journey of realization and self-love that got me to where I am now. My goal is to educate parents who plan to or have already transracially adopted about what it takes to raise a child of a different race. I also am very passionate about speaking to other adoptees, hearing/sharing their stories and showing them that they are not alone.Transracial adoption is not a topic that is talked about very often and not many people even know what it is. I plan to spread awareness to the subject through social media platforms.My life as an adoptee has not been easy, but I have also been blessed with opportunities that may have not happened if I wasn’t adopted. I hope that I can inspire others with the knowledge of transracial adoption and my passion for change.https://sydneyparkhurst.com/https://www.facebook.com/sydneyparkhurst6/https://www.instagram.com/adopteesydney/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgR6jSgFOGWSxWQAjgTZXAhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sydney-parkhurst-243783184/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 399What If Adoption Isn't Personal? With June Wright
June believes that she was born 'out of the fog'. She cried incessantly for her first 2 years. That preverbal trauma of relinquishment is sub-conscious for so many of us. Until it isn't. We come out of the fog to see the dense back clouds of trauma. Tears fall as the clouds burst and rain pours down. So what stops our tears? What if one of those things is taking adoption less personally? Listen in as June shares a lifetime of healing.Here's a link to the research June mentions https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/149233054.pdfHere's more about June from her website:I am June, or rather, I was her for 10 days before I was adopted, and my name was changed forever. I chose to write my book - SECOND CHOICES - as June because she comes from a family of writers and poets and lovers of words. June is the part of me dictated by DNA. Irrevocable and undeniably a slice of who I am.As an adoptee, the adoption issue was always close to my heart, and seeing and hearing the effect of it on the adoption community made me jump into action. My debut novel, Second Choices, was born.Born in South Africa and now living in Scotland, I have been writing since I can remember. At first, it was poems and articles for the school newspaper and newsletters.I joined a writing group about fifteen years ago, thinking it was all about poetry, but it turned out it was a group for short story writers. For the first time, I realized how much I loved building characters and stories around them.After a stint working for a local newspaper, the idea of writing a book started to become more plausible. On a personal note, I am a wife, a mother, a stepmom, and a grandmother. I love nature and wildlife, photography, and connecting with people. More at https://junewrightauthor.com/https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092658341567https://www.instagram.com/junewrightauthor Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 398Debunking Beliefs With Carrie Doung
Do you believe that you're enough? Do you believe you are loveable? Do you believe you are loved? Relinquishment sets in motion all sorts of beliefs about ourselves. Listen in as Carrie explores debunking beliefs to get to the truth.Here'a a bit about Carrie from her website:"I was adopted from Sanshui in Guangdong Province at nine years old. From surviving as a child in China and being raised in San Francisco, CA, my childhood has profoundly shaped my perspectives as an adult and visual artist. It has also deepened my visual sensitivity as a designer with compassion and empathy. My professional background ranges from print production, graphic design, and project management in both corporate and freelance settings.Carrie is Creative Director and a Board Member of CCI - a community where adoptees can finally drive their own narratives and support one another's complex journeys. I envision CCI to grow into an influential platform for all adoptees to find connections, support, and be heard, and ultimately to be proud of our identity. As part of the UX Team, my objective is to design an accessible platform for all adoptees that seek camaraderie and affirmation."www.carriedoung.comwww.instagram.com/carriedesigns628www.chinaschildreninternational.orgwww.instagram.com/cci_adoptees Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 397Balance With Ujaala Chaudhuri
Are you looking to balance conflicting emotions? Or seeking peace between them? Listen is as Ujaala shares her learnings on the dichotomies of her life as an adoptee. We also explore mindset and looking forward rather than back.Connect with Ujaala here:https://www.facebook.com/ujaala.chaudhuri.1https://www.linkedin.com/in/ujaala-chaudhuri-8784461bb/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 396Truth & Lies With Andy Wallis
Are you sick of the liar in your head saying that there's something wrong with you? Are you trying to silence that inner critic? All too often this prolongs the war. Listen in as we explore finding truth. And peace.Here's a bit about Andy from his website:I’m Andy Wallis, I live in Grantham, in the UK and was adopted at just a few months old in 1973.I have struggled throughout my life with my mental health and this year (2023) I decided to start a blog to explore my inner workings. I soon came to realise that most of what I’ve dealt with has its origins in my adoption. I was shocked.Adoption trauma manifests itself in lots of ways it would seem. From the obvious emotional stuff like anxiety, depression and closing down emotionally, to the less obvious social quirks like refusing to do something fun because it wasn't the adoptee's idea. Weird as it might seem, I can recall lots of moments in my past where I've just flatly refused an activity or outing for fear of losing the element of sovereignty. This often leads to a ‘Brian’ (the negative Nancy in my head) driven anxiety attack. I'd get so worked up before the event that I'd lose it and then panic about the loss of control, which in turn would create its own loss of control. Finally topped off with a nice big dollop of shame to boot. ‘Dollop’ great word that!From the blog, the book was born and writing has helped me so much. To try and gain a wider picture I studied to gain a qualification in Mental Health, and I’m now also a mental health first aider.I’m passionate about raising awareness of adoption trauma and mental health generally.Find out more at:https://www.instagram.com/whos_wally_blog/https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094487566931https://twitter.com/whosthatwallishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-wallis-865ab6195/https://open.spotify.com/show/2m1wAiBmAf4Qt1OvWL1qdoHere are the links I mention in the show:https://chrisniebauerphd.com/https://www.drjilltaylor.com/https://rupertspira.libsyn.com/episode-41-bernardo-kastrup Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 395Embracing All Of Ourselves With Joellen Peters
Are there parts of you that you try to push away? I've definitely rejected the part of me that's scared of rejection. Denial, numbing and overriding only brings short term relief. Listen in as adoptee and therapist Joellen shares what she's learned about embracing all of herself so we can embrace all of ourselves.Here's a bit about Joellen from her website I am a clinical psychologist with over twenty years of private practice experience doing individual, couples, family therapy and psychological testing. I received a doctorate degree from The University of Texas at Austin in Clinical Psychology. I am also trained in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy, Filial and Child-Focused Play therapies. My work integrates attachment, psychodynamic, neurobiological and CBT theories. Finally, I have an extensive background working with all members of the adoption triad. This includes individual therapy, leading groups, legislative advocacy, and public speaking.https://joellenpeters.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/joellenpetershttps://www.instagram.com/joellen.peters/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 394Re-imagining Triggers With Carlos Munez
Do you wish feeling triggered wasn't so painful? Or that you were triggered less? Listen in as transracial adoptee Carlos shares how he sees triggers differently.https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlos-munez Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 392Living Forward With Delores Sullivan
As a wise mentor once said to me, the past is a place of reference not a place of residence. Understanding birth mothers' predicaments is incredibly healing. Listen in as birth mother and therapist Delores shares her journey and profound insights along the way so you can live forward.https://www.facebook.com/p/Delores-Sullivan-Therapy-100063634445824https://www.linkedin.com/in/delores-sullivan-4892ab25/https://www.deloressullivantherapy.com/https://www.instagram.com/dssullivan1/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 392Empowered With Julia Small
Would you like to feel more empowered? Listen in as transracial adoptee Julia shares her insights into empowerment and connection. She also talks about identity and being comfortable in her own skin.Julia Small is a transracial adoptee from Hunan, China who was raised in Topsfield, Massachusetts. One of her greatest passions is fighting for equity and social justice through grassroots advocacy, public policy and education reform. She has a particular interest in minority affairs and child and elderly welfare. She aspires to bring to light the experiences and challenges faced by adopted patients in the healthcare setting.https://twitter.com/julialsmall12https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliasmall/Here's a link to Julia's interview with Elaine and Ramyahttps://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/advocating-for-our-health-with-elaine-schulte-ramya-gruneisen-and-julia-kingHere's the link to the author I mention whose book is about the left and right brainshttps://chrisniebauerphd.com/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 391Riding The Emotional Rollercoaster of Reunion Dawnie Hammond
How do the emotional rollercoaster of reunion? Dawnie is right in the throes of figuring this out. She shares what she's learning as she goes and her insights on loving herself as well as putting herself first.https://www.facebook.com/AdoptedWithTheFrohttps://www.instagram.com/adoptedwiththefroblog/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 390The Truth That Sets Us Free with Roxan Chen
Are you looking for answers? Because the truth sets us free right? Roxan wasn't told that she was adopted until her adoptive mother blurted it out in an arguments when she was 15. Listen in as she shares how she went from anger to curiosity and finally peace. Powerful and empowering.Connect with Roxan here:https://www.facebook.com/roxansherryWatch my video about the diamond and the truth of who we are here:https://www.facebook.com/simonjbenn/videos/706029451324458Find out about Adoptees United here:https://adopteesunited.org/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 389From Anger To Peace With Aubrey Jackson
Adoption trauma often manifests in anger or a loud inner critic. Would you like more peace? Listen in as Aubrey shares her learnings and insights on how she's moving towards more peace. Aubrey Jackson is a former news anchor turned published travel writer and professional travel planner, specializing in luxury leisure travel.As an entrepreneur and travel professional, Aubrey has served as an on-air expert and in person for panel discussions. When she is not traveling or boldly representing her clients, she is advocating for adopted youth. As an adoptee herself, whose adoption was finalized in the state of Florida, a closed adoption state that does not allow adoptee’s acess to their original birth certificate, she is passionate about aligning herself with programs and causes that directly benefit youth in foster care and further amplify adoptee voices.In 2021, with the help of private investigative support, Aubrey met her birth family and is thrilled to have the chance, after 10+ years of searching, to build a strong bond with her relatives. Aubrey serves on the board of Adoptees United, an organization led byadoptees in the United States that represent the interests of all adoptees, whether domestic, intercountry, transracial, or former foster youth.https://growbeyondwords.com/adoptee-therapist-directory/https://www.facebook.com/ImAubreyJackson/https://www.pinterest.com/ImAubreyJackson/https://www.tiktok.com/@imaubreyjacksonhttps://www.youtube.com/aubreyonairhttps://www.instagram.com/imaubreyjacksonhttps://imaubreyjackson.com/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 388Our Higher Self Monica Hall
What if what had happened to us happened for us? Adoptee and birth mother Monica shares her healing insights to help us heal and access our higher self. This has to be one of the most powerful and empowering episodes ever to air on this podcast.Monica was born in Canada, adopted by American parents, and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. It was there where she spent the first sixteen years of her life and had many of the foundational experiences that drive her writing. Monica now lives in Northern California and began working on a memoir in Spring 2016 when her daughter urged her to document her extraordinary but painful past.As she has gained access to buried memories through the process of writing about her experiences, Monica has realized just how self-preserving the human mind can be. She was astonished to discover how much she had willfully forgotten, how much pain she harbored from her early years, and how much guilt she had repressed in her adult life. Digging to the core of her memories as part of the writing process has allowed Monica to begin healing her wounds, forgive both herself and the people who wronged her, and shed the guilt she has lived with for decades. Ultimately, she hopes her writing will inspire others by proving that it’s possible to overcome difficult circumstances and succeed.https://www.monicahall.com/https://www.facebook.com/monicahallwriteshttps://twitter.com/monicahallpenshttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR6bzgbkwIySSxvZS938uHwhttps://www.instagram.com/monicahallauthor/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 387Open To Change David R Ford
Would you like to handle change better? Life started with a profound change for those of us adopted as infants: a new family. Later - search and reunion can bring about huge changes in beliefs we've held for our lifetime. David and I dive into navigating change when life throws us curve balls.Here's more about David and his bookBLIND IN ONE EYEA Story About Seeing the PossibilitiesWhere was my brother, the one born seven years before me but kept by my birth parents? Was it really possible that, after the lifetime I'd spent wondering about him, he was the guy a friend had just seen on the subway – the one who supposedly looked like my older twin?Finding my brother would soon feel like a naïve goal. His secretive and frightened parents had far more to hide than I could have imagined, and they had worked hard to maintain the elaborate facade of an ordinary family. Breaching their defenses would trigger events that quickly took control of my life.Blind in One Eye is the richly detailed story of an adoptee finding, and being absorbed into, a shockingly troubled birth family – a story about abruptly leaving behind life as an only child. But it's also the story of someone with focused and demanding expectations who learns to see other possibilities, to see that the answers he actually gets in life might be more important than the ones he thought he wanted.The most remarkable discoveries seem to come while looking for something else – as long as you're open to the possibilitieshttps://www.amazon.com/Blind-One-Eye-Seeing-Possibilities/dp/0982971508https://blindinoneeye.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrford/https://twitter.com/blind1eyehttps://www.instagram.com/findford/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 386Clarity On Identity
Confused about identity? Looking for clarity? Listen in as I take us through the layers of identity to the essential truth. The thing that's stationary in all that comes and goes. Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 385Stages Of Trauma & Healing
Where are you on the trauma and healing journey? In today's episode I share the stages I've been through and what's helped me navigate them. Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 384Numbing
Learning to feel rather than numb feels really important for me at the moment. Here's some things I'm exploring. I hope they help you. Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 383Confusion In Reunion With David Benjamin
Is reunion confusing you? Are you caught between biological and adoptive families? Adoptee and therapist David talks about magic moments, honeymoon period and confusion in his reunion. We explore how that confusion has eased and become easier to live with over time.Here's a bit about David from his website:I am a counsellor and EMDR practitioner. I offer face-to-face therapy sessions, including video calls if needed.I was adopted as a young child so I understand the issues and challenges that come with that, I now work with many adopted adults in this country and abroad.I became a therapist after volunteering all my adult life working with children and young people and prison work. I wanted to formalise that as I enjoy making a difference to people's lives. I am friendly, empathic and offer a safe space for you to explore any difficulties, such as anxiety, depression, relationship issues, identity, family issues, post-natal depression, panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, self esteem and confidence. I take a trauma informed integrative therapeutic approach. You will have your own space to talk about whatever you come to me with; there is no rush, it's a gentle way of exploring things.I am a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP). I achieved my Foundation degree Arts (FdA) in Counselling, after attaining levels 2 and 3 in counselling. The Foundation degree involved two years of training and over 100 hours of supervised counselling practice. I have a CPCAB diploma and certification in EMDR from the Dominic Beirne School of Clinical Hypnosis & Psychotherapy and also the flash technique and dyadic resourcing. Because of my interest in adoption, I also completed the Attachment Matters and 'Healing your Inner Child' training, developed by Nancy Maillie. www.nmtrauma.co.ukMore at https://www.davidbenjamintherapy.com/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 382Psychological & Spiritual Healing With Michelle Madrid
What do you believe about yourself? How do you see yourself? Trauma messes up our beliefs and identity. Listen in as Michelle dives deep into busting beliefs and getting clear on identity. All so we can heal at a deeper level.Michelle Madrid is a powerhouse life coach and guidance mentor who is passionate about igniting the light within every adoptee and woman she coaches. She seeks soulful modalties of healing to support individuals in feeling a deeper connectedness with themselves and with others. Michelle is a former foster child from the United Kingdom and an international adoptee. She understands the nuances of this lived-experience and considers it a great honor to guide her clients back home to themselves as they embrace a deeper sense of identity and calling. Michelle is a Congressional Angels in Adoption® Honoree as well as an inductee to the New Mexico Women's Hall of Fame. She is a former Emmy-nominated television news journalist. Michelle is an in-demand high-impact speaker whose perspectives are renowned both domestically and internationally. Her illuminating content and coaching offerings can be found at TheMichelleMadrid.com. Michelle is a proud mother, animal lover, equestrian, and a world traveler who feels at home no matter where she is because she's found her home within.https://themichellemadrid.com/https://www.instagram.com/themichellemadridhttps://www.facebook.com/LetHerBeGreaterhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-madrid-62b1661a/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 381Healing Change With Linda Pevac aka Emma Stevens
Are you stuck in a rut on your healing journey? Unsure of what's holding you back? Listen in as Linda and I dive deep into how changing feelings kickstarts healing. We also cover what stops us changing for the better. And it's not what most of us think.Her first interview https://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/freedom-with-emma-stevensHer second interview https://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/becoming-our-own-guru-with-emma-stevensLinda Pevac aka Emma Stevens is a U.S. domestic adoptee from birth and has survived layers of trauma that have put her on multiple journeys. She developed the inner strength and courage to surmount the many struggles she faced. Her traumas were born from being an adoptee who struggled with being forced to wear an impossible mask of playing the part of the “good adopted child.” Because being relinquished and adopted has colored her life, it’s Emma’s desire to be part of the movement that is dedicated to helping bring forth change to the way our world views the needs and support of adopted individuals. She believes strongly in adoptees finding their voice and discovering their truth to have a solid sense of self and to reclaim their identities. Through telling her story, Emma is dedicated to help redefine the narrative of adoption to include the entire complex truth.More about Linda/Emma at:https://linktr.ee/EmmaStevensWriterhttps://www.instagram.com/EmmaStevensWriterhttps://www.facebook.com/EmmaStevensWriterhttps://www.tiktok.com/@EmmaStevensWriterhttps://twitter.com/emmastevenswrtr Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 380Deeper Healing With Kathy Mackechney
Do you get the sense that there's more of you that needs to heal? Have you had glimpses of your whole self but you want to see and feel whole more of the time? Listen in as adoptee and therapist Kathy goes deep on how feelings change so we heal. Please note she does talk about her personal use of psychedelics in healing.Here's a bit about Kathy from her website:Long before I became a therapist, I was adopted. My parents had two biological sons and were unable to have a third child and wanted a girl, so they adopted me. Even before then, though, I was relinquished. I make the distinction between relinquishment and adoption, because those are two separate events, and I believe the root of many “adoption issues" lies with relinquishment and the experience of having been separated from one’s original parents, especially one’s first mom/birthmom. I was relinquished at birth, placed in foster care and then placed with my adoptive family when I was 10 weeks old. Even those of us who were relinquished at birth, before we developed conscious memory, lived through the experience, and our bodies remember, which often lead us to respond as though it is happening again—a post-traumatic response.My personal experiences led me to become a therapist who specializes in helping other adoptees, and the people close to them. I work with adult adoptees, adopted children/teens, adoptive parents, first/birth parents, prospective adoptive parents and the partners of adoptees, as well as others who have had similar experiences for other reasons. https://www.instagram.com/kathymackechney/https://www.adopteetherapy.com/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 379Feeling Connected
Do you yearn for more connection? With others? With yourself? Listen in as I explore why we feel like that, what gets in the way of connection and how connection happens. Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 378De-fusing Triggers
Do you explode when triggered? Do you avoid situations that you fear might trigger you? Listen in as I take a deep dive into triggers so you can hear something new that brings you more peace. Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 377From Holed To Whole
So many of us feel we're missing something and yearn for completeness. So how do we fill that void? Today's episode is a deep dive into that space where we feel peace and at home. Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 376Redemptive Resilience With Lisa Quaites
Looking to bounce back? Having a tough time riding the emotional rollercoaster of reunion? Listen into a particular empowering interview with Lisa as she goes deep on resilience, mindset, her take on our higher power and much more. Insights galore. Lisa A. Quaites was born in South Korea, but adopted to the United States and raised by a Black military family. She lived much of her life in America's Heartland, where she met her husband James. The couple raised two daughters, Capris and Candace, who also reside in the Midwest. Lisa's stepson, Chris, lives in Georgia with his wife and two children. Results from a consumer DNA test uncovered Lisa's Caribbean roots and unexpectedly matched her with biological relatives. Faith & Favor is Lisa’s debut memoir detailing her personal journey to discover her birth family. This inspiring story highlights her redemptive resilience as she navigates the challenges of being a mixed-race Korean. An IT professional by trade, Lisa travels for leisure as much as possible, plays volleyball and tennis, and loves the live music scene.Here's that link to the interview with Sara Easterly I mention if you'd like to hear more about her and her Adoptee Voices writing group https://pod.fo/e/1e4668https://summersolsticepublishing.com/https://www.instagram.com/lisaquaites Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 375How To Stop People Pleasing
Do you put other people's needs ahead of your own?Are you sick of doing that? People pleasing is so common amongst us. So how do we stop it? Listen in as I dive into this topic. Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 374Feeling Whole
Seeing that you're whole is one thing. Feeling whole is another. How does that change happen? Listen in as I dive deep into healing. I hope you love that feeling. Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 373Seeing Our Wholeness
Do you want to feel whole? Maybe healing isn’t about becoming whole. Maybe it’s about seeing our wholeness is hidden by trauma. Listen in as I dive deep into how we feel whole. Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 372Empowerment
Looking for change? Listen in as I dive into what empowers us adoptees to change drawing from two fantastic guests on the Thriving Adoptees podcast Emma Stevens/Linda Pevac and Pamela KaranovaListen to their podcasts herePamela https://pod.fo/e/1e3ef3Emma/Linda 1st interview Freedom https://pod.fo/e/1f0bc4Emma/Linda 2nd interview Becoming Our Own Guru https://pod.fo/e/1e3eeb Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 371Bouncing Back Cynthia McGuigan
How do we bounce back? Listen in as birth mother and foster care alumnus Cynthia shares her insights on resilience and healing from the profound challenges she's faced. There's oodles (that's lots) of empowering wisdom on finding your own resilience and healing. Listen in for your own insights on progressing along life's learning curve.https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-rounds-mcguigan-144b3b13https://www.instagram.com/cindymc359https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.mcguigan Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 370What’s Healing? & What Heals?
How do we heal? The million dollar (pound or euro) question. Focusing on healing rather than trauma is a great start. Understanding what healing helps us to. Then we can get into the how to's and actions. I'd love your thoughts on this so email me at [email protected] Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 369Pathways To Healing Amanda Zaidman
Are you out of the fog and suffering from the pain that's been suppressed for so long? So how do you heal? We all have to find our personal pathway out of pain. Listen in as transracial adoptee and therapist Amanda shares her pathway to inspire and empower you along yours.https://constructiveparenting.com/https://twitter.com/ConstParenting/https://www.facebook.com/constructiveparenting/https://www.instagram.com/constructive_parenting/https://www.linkedin.com/company/constructive-parenting-pllc/https://www.pinterest.com/constructivepar/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 368A Spiritual Being Having An Adoptee's Experience
Identity is tricky for us. As adoptees we're great at describing trauma, less great at describing identity. The truth of who we are is simpler than we've been lead to believe. But we have to go deep to see that simplicity. Today's podcast is my take on "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience." Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. I hope you enjoy it. Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 367More Than Good Enough With Ann Haralambie
Do you feel there's something wrong with you? It's a feeling that has haunted many of us for as long as we can remember. So how do we finally see our worth? Ann shares insights along her long journey to feeling good enough so you can do the same.About AnnSince 1977, Ann Haralambie has been a trial and appellate attorney in Tucson, Arizona, focusing on children: custody, abuse and neglect, adoption, and child advocacy. Adopted in infancy in New York, where all records were sealed, she wanted to know her biological roots and the true stories of her birth families. As a preadolescent she knew that someday she would try to find her birth parents, even though she loved her adoptive family. After attending college and graduate school, earning a BA in Creative Writing and an MA in English Literature, she went to law school and learned about the new adoptee rights movement. She began her active search while still in law school, continuing for more than 35 years before finally finding the truth about her roots. She has been able to share those roots with her late daughter, Katherine, and grandson, Dominic. She lives in Tucson, Arizona and Silver Lake, New Hampshire, where she spends time protecting the loons and their chicks.About her book: "Not Nicholson: The Story of a First Daughter, an adoption search and reunion memoir" This is a story about family, adoption, heritage, and identity. It is also about place and people. Haralambie invites you to accompany her on her search for her biological roots, the hurdles and misdirections, and what happens when she finally finds out who her biological family members are. Every adoption search and reunion are different. The results, and how each adoptee deals with them, are also different. But everyone who has been touched by adoption—whether directly or through friends, professional clients, or patients—can learn from others' experiences. Haralambie's journey will intrigue readers and may make them laugh and cry. It will surely get them thinking about their own identity and heritage. Her message for readers is to approach the quest with kindness and understanding.Her website is https://notnicholson.haralambie.com/. Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Ep 366Who Am I? Michelle Gauvreau
How do you keep going when your world has been turned upside down? When you find out that you've been lied to over and again? When the shocking truth comes out. Listen in as Michelle shares her inspirational story of resilience and dogged determination as she found out who she really is.Michelle Rice-Gauvreau is a native Mohawk woman born in Canada and raised in Connecticut via an illegal adoption, which was commonplace for many Indian babies throughout many years across North America. She is a compassionate advocate for all adoptees looking for their own truth, peace and hope. She hopes to instill her strength to any adoptee struggling to find their way.Michelle now works as a legal professional for a prestigious law firm. She resides in Connecticut with her husband of many years, and her two senior cats. She enjoys traveling and learning more about native cultures far and wide. Find out more at:https://www.michellegauvreau.com/https://www.facebook.com/adopteesmatterhttps://twitter.com/ladystarrehttps://www.instagram.com/ladystarre/https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-gauvreau-45755919/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.