The Adoption Doula

Professional coaching for non traditional families navigating the adoption process while exploring the inner dynamics of parenting, partnership, and personal growth.

Why Adoption Doula? Because the process of adoption can seem like an endless paper trail: completing forms, getting home studies done, meeting deadlines. All of these are critically important to the process of adoption. Yet, the adoption journey also happens on the interior of our lives, as we create the world within that will support and nurture a child into our families.

A doula, historically has been a woman assisting another woman before and after child birth, with the physical, emotional, and spiritual preparation of having a child.

My adoption doula offer is to help adoptive parents (dads and moms) to navigate the process of adoption while also taking care of the emotional and spiritual concerns and needs along the way to parenting. The doula assumes that a child is on the way and that the adoptive parents are in a gestation period that may last anywhere from one month to several years.

I coach to the particular experiences and realities of non traditional families (gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual or single parents) in the adoption process. These loving, capable families have often been excluded from the possibility of adopting children due to inequality and social prejudices. I know from my own experience and from my observations of non traditional families, that we are equal and absolutely prepared emotionally, physically, and spiritually to be nurturing, capable, loving parents.

Services for Adoptive Parents

Adoption Coaching Groups (4 month commitment): bi monthly teleconference meeting with a maximum of 10 people
In this twice monthly gathering via teleconference, you will have a chance to experience group coaching and support along your adoption journey. Each meeting is an hour long. The teleconference option provides an economical support to your adoption process, versatility in geographic location for participants, as well as an efficient bi monthly check in to keep you moving forward in your adoption process. Participants will benefit from group coaching and learn strategies to support each other during this time. The group is also supported by email and a private social network site. Example of the topics covered in this teleclass format:

Exploring Adoption-Getting Started
Emotional Fitness during the Adoption Process
Nurturing the Inner Journey in a “Paper Chase” World
The Waiting Time—How to thrive during an unsettling period
Post Adoption World—“We have a child, now what?”

Dreaming Out Loud! A 90 minute Adoption Vision Session for Couples and Individuals
In this guided visioning session we will begin with where you are in the adoption process. If you are considering adoption and haven’t made up your mind, we’ll start there. If you are sure adoption is for you, we will focus on the next steps along this journey for you. You will leave with clear, inspired action steps to keep you moving towards your vision of creating a family.

Laser Coaching: 30 minute sessions
This option is for you if you feel confident in your process and know that you can benefit from a 30 minute coaching session at critical decision points or at times when you need a boost from a confidential, neutral ally to help you to the next step.

Bi-monthly Coaching for Individuals and Couples in an Adoption Process
This premium service is for you if you are committed to a bi-monthly coaching process for you or for you and your partner. You will be guided through your journey of adoption in a process that is customized to your family’s particular concerns, needs, and desires for growth. I will help you stay on course with your adoption plan. Together we will tend to the emotional and spiritual concerns that come up along the way. You will have the opportunity to discover your own inner wisdom and strengths and to develop new strategies to guide you through the adoption process.

Who can be a trusted and committed ally to help you navigate your adoption journey? Contact me today and let’s talk about the possibilities.

Services

Transformational Coaching

Cathie's guidance along the winding and sometimes arduous path of the adoption process is invaluable and can make the difference between an experience that feels lonely and fraught to an experience of joyous new possibility.

-Judith Kaftan, LCSW, Psychotherapist