Can someone point me in the right direction??

Did an agency handle the adoption? The one that handled my second adoption told me that even though I had refused counseling after delivery, that I could call them if I needed it and they would set somethign up. I don't know if all agencies do this but they said the money was there for a year's counseling whether or not I ever used it. You might want to check. And how did you get them to leave you alone about counseling in the first place? My first agency didn't seem to care that I didn't want it but the second one is still calling and pestering me about it and it's been about 10 weeks since delivery and papers signed. It's getting so that every time I see their number on the caller ID, I want to scream.

Ellemeth, my "agency" refused to give me post-placement counseling even though the adoptive parents "paid" for "it." That left me to run this road by myself. VKH: Oh, birthparent counseling. Do you have insurance? If so, first you need to get your list of who you can go see (meaning, who your insurance pays for). Then you need to call each and every one of them and ask if they have an birthparent grief and loss experience. On the whole, they will say no or ask you to repeat yourself and then say no. It's frustrating, but keep on trying. If you're not on insurance, simply start calling therapists in the phone book. (I did this before our insurance mailed us the list of who was covered.) Also, the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse ([url="http://naic.acf.hhs.gov/"]http://naic.acf.hhs.gov/[/url]) has a great search engine for adoption related counselors, though many don't offer birthparent counseling. (This will be your brick wall and it makes me SO ANGRY.) And, when you are calling, ask how they do their sliding scale because all practices use a bit different way of deciding how much you need to pay based on income and so on. *hugs* If you need more help, please don't hesitate to ask me. I've been through this one. Oh, duh: here's the link to NAIC's search engine for therapists and so on: [url="http://naic.acf.hhs.gov/general/nad/index.cfm"]http://naic.acf.hhs.gov/general/nad/index.cfm[/url] And I'm sure Brenda might be able to recommend or point you in the correct direction.

Hi Vonda...... I Was In Therapy For Many Years. I Found Good Theropists And Bad And One I Really Clicked With. The One I Really Clicked With Brought Me Soooo Far ..helped Me Grow Emotionally And Hung Unto Me When I Crashed And Praised Me When ...i Deserved It. I Stayed In Counciling Many Years Because I Enjoyed It With ...the Type Of Theoropy That She Used... There Were Wonderful Times And Very Rough Times. But...i Hung In There. The Type Of Theropy She Used Was "inner Child Work". I Found A Part Of Myself That I Buried A Long Time Ago Because Of A Painful Childhood. I Brought 'it Up' In Theoropy And Went Through The Nasty Feeling I Refused To Feel As A Child. Now I Look Back..have Seen How Much Ive Grown And Turned Into A Much Nicer Person ..learning To Love Myself. My Theorpist Was On A Pay Fee Sliding Scale...so I Only Had To Pay A Certain Fee Of What I Could Afford. Id Advise Anyone To Try This Type Of Theoropy..........i Loved It! Hugs Hair 127

Thank you everyone for your responses. ellemeth - Yes I did go through an agency. I suppose you could say I slightly *misled* them. I had insurance a few months before I was due and together (agency and I) decided that I would go to a grief counselor on a reccomendation from my obgyn. Well, it just never happened. It's one of those things where you get busy and you just run out of time and you let it pass. The agency never asked me about it again. Jenna - I knew I could count on a good answer from you since you are going through all of this right now. Thank you for the suggestions. I'm going to do everything that you recommended. HAIR127 - I'm glad that you found such a great therapist. It really helps to have someone to talk to and help you sort through things doesn't it. I called my bparent counselor at my agency and left a msg for her. She called me back and left a msg (I was at work) to call her ASAP. She wants us to get together as soon as we can so that we can talk and figure out what to do next. I should have known that I could call her anytime. She was so good to me throughout the whole ordeal. She says that me calling her back and setting up a time to talk is her biggest priority right now. whew. I do think I need to find a good counselor though...someone that I can see on a regular scheduled visit. Thanks again everyone. Vanda

If you want to pm me I might know someone in your area.