Adoption Therapists in Silver Spring, MD
See all therapists in Silver Spring
Varda Makovsky
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, LICSW
Verified
Verified
I have a special interest and extensive experience working with individuals who were adopted - at all stages of their adult lives, as they explore how
adoption
may have impacted their lives, identity and relationships.
Whether you struggle with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and/or are navigating life transitions, my goal is to create a safe and supportive space for exploration and growth. My approach to therapy is client-centered and collaborative. I work with clients to gain enhanced self-understanding, address challenges, build resilience, adopt new coping skills and affect meaningful change. Special areas of focus include: anxiety, depression, fertility and family-building, grief/loss, adult ADHD, family dynamics, and life transitions.

Julie Bulitt
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C
Verified
Verified
I am affiliated with Center for
Adoption
Support and Education (CASE) and was trained as
adoption
competent therapist.
I am committed to offering the very best in individual, couples and family therapy. Specialties include ADHD and executive function coaching, with an expertise in
adoption
, anxiety and learning disabilities. I use a strength based approach to helping people find life balance. I work with my clients to find strategies that help them improve their lives.
Not accepting new clients

Beth Wheeler
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LICSW, LCSW-C
Verified
Verified
I believe in the human spirit and the potential in humans to learn, grow and change to better our lives and the lives around us. My ideal client is someone who finds themselves in patterns they want to become free from in order to be whether they are patterns that are deeply personal, relational, or familial. There may be issues of the past that include trauma, loss,
adoption
, family issues; it could be more recent issues around those same things or also gender identity, sexuality, race, being LGBTQ and wanting to create a family. You may be at a turning point in your life and want to find your own voice and knowing.
Not accepting new clients

Ann E Haman
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, MSW, MA
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
My areas of special interest are attachment and
adoption
issues; social-emotional challenges of giftedness; LGBT / questioning youth, and the adult legacy of difficult childhoods.
You have decided that something in your life needs to change: perhaps chronic stress or emotional pain, confusing behaviors or needs in your child, or your way of dealing with ongoing family issues. Therapy is a collaborative process in which I facilitate these changes. I have significant experience with issues around giftedness and its social-emotional challenges, anxiety, trauma, attachment, and
adoption
. I treat all clients with respect, interest, and openness. I am a relaxed, approachable person who feels privileged to work at a job I love with children and adults who teach and inspire me with their courage.

Julia Han
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
I know that finding the right therapist is a daunting process, so thank you for reading my site. Those who work with me appreciate how engaged & active I am, when needed. We will explore not only the reasons for your difficulties, BUT more importantly, how stress affects your body; how you internalize thoughts of self & others. I will give you tools to help with difficult emotions; manage stress effectively. I also specialize in: 1) postpartum, 2) trauma/grief, 3) non-traditional family formation, 4)
adoption
, 5) ThirdCultureKid, 6) LGBQ. I am happy to provide a phone consult; this will also allow you to get a sense of me.

Reena Bernards
Marriage & Family Therapist, LCMFT, MS
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
Close and warm relationships are key to a successful family life, individual health, and to a happy life as a couple. I work collaboratively with families to improve communication between parent and child, deal with underlying emotions, and to address problems together. I help couples find their way back to the initial strong bond that brought them together. I assist parents in finding successful strategies to deal with emotional outbursts, school difficulties, and sibling conflicts. Together we address specific challenges that children face such as learning differences and mood swings. I specialize in working with
adoption
and multicultural families.

The Barker Adoption Foundation
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, LICSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Are you wondering if your child's current struggles are related to developmental challenges related to
adoption
or something else; struggling with decisions about how and when to share specific
adoption
information with your child; is your child ready for search/reunion; need assistance navigating an open
adoption
, behavioral challenges? Give me a call.
Touched by
Adoption
? The Barker Foundation recognizes that
adoption
is a lifelong journey, with normal developmental challenges and tasks. We will walk with you through and support you through your journey. Whether you are an adoptive parent with a child that is struggling emotionally or academically; a birth parent who is seeking understanding, reflection, or search and reunion; or an adoptee looking for support- we are here for you.

Maurine K Kelly
Psychologist, PhD, FIPA
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
I specialize in working with families, couples, groups, and individuals. I treat children as young as three, have experience with school phobia,
adoption
, blended families, gender issues, gay, lesbian, and transgender individuals, and the challenges of elderly. I am experienced working with psychoses, severe post traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, body dysmorphic disorder, and problems of every day life. I have special expertise working with the LGBTQ+ population, with adolescents, sexual development, severe mental illness, post traumatic stress disorder, and physical illnesses.
Waitlist for new clients

Isabella Stackl
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LICSW, LCSW-C, LCSW
Verified
Verified
I work with adolescents , adults, couples and families. I enjoy working with clients from different cultures and backgrounds, and have supported many families who have experienced
adoption
. I consider myself an ally to the LGBTQI community and can help you through different challenges related to your sexual or gender identity, coming out, and transitioning.

Leigh Leslie
Psychologist, PhD, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I have had extensive experience with couple issues, depression, families with adolescents, divorce and remarriage,
adoption
, LGBTQ+ individuals,couples and families, and cross-cultural and interracial couples and families.
Our relationships with others can be the source of our greatest joys and our greatest pain. I see therapy as a collaborative process where we work together to help you develop healthy, supportive, relationships - be they with partners, children, parents, friends, or co-workers. With over 25 years of experience providing individual, couple and family therapy, training family therapists, and teaching about families at the university level, I am committed to the important yet often difficult work of enhancing self-understanding and improving relationship/family functioning.

Anne M Cosimano
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C
Verified
Verified
In my work as a therapist for the past 25+ years I have witnessed the incredible strength and resilience in people despite life's hardships, losses and traumas. I work with adults, teens and tweens to deal with life's challenges such as relationship difficulties, depression, anxiety, loss, trauma,
adoption
,parenting, and divorce. As people gain deeper understanding of themselves and their behaviors , they are often able to make changes to improve their self esteem, strengthen their relationships, cope with life's ups and downs,and achieve deeper satisfaction in their lives.
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Pamela Bel Anu
Marriage & Family Therapist, LGMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I have training in grief and loss as well as infertility, parenting, and
adoption
.
Is there something holding you back from the experience of feeling fully alive, safe, and satisfied in your own life; in your own skin? Experiencing internal and external difficulties long enough and under enough stress, we become disconnected to what makes life worth living. I believe my job is to provide a safe space and be a supportive, caring, non-judgmental presence as a guide and collaborator. Together we can face what is hurting or not helping you. I have worked over the years in a variety of settings with adults, children, teens, families and couples from diverse backgrounds and identities.

Nicole Jackson
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, MSW
Verified
Verified
I am passionate about helping clients navigate anxiety, relationship challenges, depression, religious and childhood trauma, life transitions,
adoption
/foster care, and loss.
I believe that effective therapy is rooted in the importance of the individual, and built on trust, comfortability, and unconditional empathy. My treatment approach is person-centered, using methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Strength-Based skills, and Behavioral Modification. I value taking the time to understand my clients’ passions so that I can integrate these into their treatment to build connection in creative ways. I want my clients to be able to not only process their experiences during our sessions, but also leave with practical tools that fit for them.

Nancy K Montagna
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
Maybe you want a sense of security, to be calmer, to have more energy and creativity or more loving relationships. Maybe you want freedom from the after-effects of trauma. We begin with an attitude of loving self acceptance. You can change an unhealthy habit, heal from trauma or shed an addiction relatively quickly with a brand new (evidence-based) method called Accelerated Resolution Therapy (A.R.T.). I bring wide experience and a large professional toolbox to help you toward your goals.

Laurette Eileen Harvey
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, MEd
Verified
Verified
With over 30 years of experience to offer, I'm pleased to say that most of my clients have been referred by their friends who are or have been clients. When mutual respect develops, it ensures the trust and comfort needed to address and resolve most problems. I have always felt blessed and privileged to be a therapist and to sit with someone who is grappling with some of the most meaningful aspects of their lives. When you contact me, I'll be happy to honestly explore whether or not this will be a good therapeutic relationship.
Not accepting new clients

Laura Krause
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, ACT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Are you struggling with anxiety or depression that is impacting your relationships and quality of life? Are you having difficulty balancing your life's responsibilities? Is your child or adolescent struggling with self-worth, trauma reactions, or problematic behavior? Whether you're a parent, a child, a student, a couple or a single adult, my goal is to empower you to look inward and grow from your experiences, as well as discover your strengths. I will seek to work with you to move you from a place of distress to a place of believing in your strengths, worth and resiliency.

Brandy Walker
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I am accepting new clients! Taking the first step to seek help for yourself or your child is a huge accomplishment. My goal as a therapist is to meet you where you are to help you tap into your innate wisdom to develop skills and create goals to overcome the obstacles you’re facing and find a deep, abiding sense of contentment within yourself. I love working with both kids and adults. In my work as a play therapist, I help you and your child process the difficulties we have all experienced over the last few years. I excel at assisting clients in navigating anxiety, depression, existential dread, past trauma, and addiction.

Nicole Twaalfhoven
Counselor, LCPC-S, NCC
Verified
Verified
Hello and thank you for your interest in my profile and Whole Healing Mental Health. I work with clients who need support, an understanding of themselves and their environment, and are ready for change. Clients struggling with depression, anxiety, self-esteem, PTSD, grief, schizophrenia, bipolar, and personality disorders, as well as relationships, career support, aging, and other daily life issues are great candidates for therapy with me. I see individual clients of any age (however under the age of 16, parent/caregiver collaboration is required), families, and couples.
Not accepting new clients

Lissa Mantell
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW-C, LICSW
Verified
9 Endorsed
Verified
9 Endorsed
It's time to help you connect to your best self. My goal is for you to feel heard, supported and able to look at your challenges and successes. I'm warm, kind and welcoming as a therapist. Together we'll create a safe space for you to look at where the problem(s) may lie, and come up with solutions that will work in your everyday life. Let's talk about how I can help you feel more satisfied and at peace in your life.

Karen Gail Lewis
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, EdD, MSW
Verified
Verified
Most people can solve their own problems -- unless there is something they are not aware of that is in the way. I help couples, families, children, and individuals figure out what is in the way. In addition to my general practice, I specialize in adult sibling relationships, mid-life issues for women and for men.
See more therapy options for
Adoption Therapists
Does my adopted child need therapy?
Not every adopted child needs therapy. However, many can benefit from seeing an adoption-informed therapist, especially if they were victims of abuse or neglect, appear withdrawn or disconnected, have behavioral or developmental issues (which may or may not be related to their adoption), are struggling with feelings of grief or loss surrounding their birth parents, or find it difficult to establish an identity, a challenge that often becomes most apparent during adolescence.
When should adoptive parents seek therapy?
Prospective parents can benefit from therapy even before an adoption—for example, to voice worries and fears; to reconcile infertility struggles, if relevant; or simply to prepare themselves for parenthood. After the adoption, parents who are struggling to bond with their child; are unsure how to talk about adoption or related issues, such as race; or whose child is dealing with developmental, behavioral, or psychiatric concerns can address these and other issues with the help of an adoption-competent therapist.
Is family therapy appropriate for adoptive families?
Family therapy can be invaluable for strengthening the bond between adoptive parents and children, helping the latter feel more secure in their place in the family. Family therapy can also help adoptive families navigate complex communication issues—for example, parents who feel uncomfortable discussing race with their child, who in turn feels invalidated by their silence, or a child who has questions about his birth parents but avoids asking them out of fear of hurting his adoptive parents’ feelings.
What therapy is not appropriate for adoption issues?
A discredited therapy known as “attachment therapy” (sometimes called “holding therapy” or “rebirthing therapy”) should not be used to treat adopted and foster children, though it was largely designed for this population. Attachment therapy involves restraining, coercing, and punishing the child in order for them to “release” negative emotions and attach to their new caregivers—techniques that are abusive and dangerous and have even proven fatal in some cases.