Mental Health

NOTE: Psychological counseling and therapy are understood and practiced differently in each country depending on the culture, language, and regulations. This guide is geared towards Korean adoptees. We do not endorse a particular clinic or therapist, but we encourage you to find a person and orientation that works for you. It is common for adoptees to experience strong emotions following an adoption-related event, during a trip to Korea or birth search, or following the death of a parent or birth of a child. These events may trigger a reaction in your body or a surge of emotions, or even feelings of dissociation. We encourage you to take time and reach out to your support system.

Questions to ask a therapist or counselor:

  • How much is the fee and how long do you typically see clients?
  • What is your theoretical orientation and what does this look like?
  • What is your experience working with adoptees or with trauma related to adoption?

Questions to ask yourself:

  • Do I feel safe with this person?
  • Am I ready to explore this issue?
  • What are the hesitations I have around therapy or change, and how can I express them to my
    therapist?

In place of licensure, therapists and psychologists obtain levels of certificates. There are a number of English-speaking therapists who have obtained their training and licensure in the U.S. and abroad.

It is important to note that anyone can say they have a competency in something without specific training in a topic. This is not a regulated term. Learn more here.

Adoption competency implies a certain level of education, skills and training around issues that are significant for adopted people and members of the adoption triad (adoptee, adoptive parents, birth parents). Adoption competent therapists generally have completed a course or continuing education. This training involves the acquisition of knowledge and skills, as well as a critical reflection of the therapist’s own values and biases related to adoption. There are many adoptees who want to see a therapist who is also an adoptee. This is understandable, as this is a unique experience and many therapists will have little to no training on adoption issues (65% of doctoral-level therapists did not have any course about adoption, Brooke-Randalls, 2014) and providing adoption competent care. However, being an adoptee does not guarantee anything except that this person is an adoptee. It is recommended you ask about your current or future therapists’ training and education around adoption issues if this is important to you.

What does trauma-informed or specialty in adoption/ family separation/ human trafficking mean? Therapists often specialize in certain areas, such as working with kids, treating eating disorders, or using specific therapies like dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). Some have years of experience with particular groups, like veterans or trauma survivors. If a therapist lists a specialization, it’s a good idea to ask about their training and how it influences their work. There are also special treatments for trauma, such as Prolonged Exposure (PE), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Somatic Therapy.

  • Prolonged Exposure (PE): Gradual confrontation of trauma memories and triggers
  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT): Changing unhelpful thoughts about trauma
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Using eye movements to process
    trauma
  • Somatic Therapy: Body-focused techniques to release trauma

The theoretical orientation of your therapist represents a specific school of thought/training around the human condition and healing that they endorse. There are many psychological theories (for example, Freudian/psychoanalytic, Rogerian, Feminist, etc.). The theoretical orientation of your therapist means that they endorse a specific school of thought around counseling. Many therapists are more intensely trained in 1-2 theoretical orientations, but are flexible depending on the client and the client’s needs. Many therapists will cite an “eclectic” approach to therapy, meaning the therapist utilizes a variety of different orientations or approaches depending on the needs of the client. The majority of psychological theories were formed by white, European/U.S. men. This does not mean it cannot be effectively applied to numerous types of people, but it does mean that these theories and approaches were all created by people within a specific context. These people were more likely male, Western, and privileged. The most popular theoretical orientations include: Cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic, humanistic and person centered.

There has also been a movement to decolonize therapy, and to stop pathologizing people who are reacting to various systems of oppression. Decolonial therapists advocate to heal from the impact of colonization and to reclaim the collective healing practices of communities of color. Individual vs group vs couples vs family therapy: Which one is right for me? Individual therapy is a one-on-one treatment between you and a therapist. You are the client, and individual therapy generally involves reflection on your thoughts and behaviors, as well as a supportive relationship between you and your therapist.