Help Find a Therapist in Ohio

Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

Jenna, have you tried contacting your local mental health services or the state psychiatric association? There may be a listing of therapists that have this speciality. It may be possible that there aren't therapists that specialize in adoption but do specialize in grief and loss who can help you. Sorry I couldn't offer more advice. I'm sorry you're having a difficult time.

[url]http://www.ohpsych.org/Forms/Referral.asp[/url] They have an online search...

Spaypets, I have contacted every therapist/counselor/psychologist in my immediate (two city) area. (I live in between two (small) cities.) Only one of the not-very-many has ANY adoption related experience and is currently not taking any new patients. That's why I asked here.

Spaypets, As for your link (which is cool, thanks), there are no female counselors in Muskingum County who have any adoption support. Ditto that for Guernsey and Coshocton Counties as well. Belmont. Morgan. When I don't specity a county, I do get an okay-on-size list. However, none are even within an hours drive. I guess I don't matter once again. Thanks for the help, Spaypets.

Gosh I'm sorry, Jenna. How about if you search on grief counseling? I know adoption has its own unique circumstances, but maybe trying grief counseling can help you work through your pain?

Hi Jenna: I agree with Spay - finding a therapist who specializes in grief would be a good place to start. I understand that you want someone with adoption experience, but honestly, I think it's more to find a --good-- therapist (whether a psychologist or an MSW). A good therapist without specific adoption-related experience is going to be a zillion times more helpful than a mediocre (or even bad) therapist without. The most important factor that predicts whether or not therapy is helpful is the match between the therapist and the client. If the client feels a connection, feels valued, etc. then the client is likely to benefit. My suggestion would be to look for a highly recommended therapist and then monitor your response - do you feel comfortable, understood, hopeful? If so, then continue - if not, keep looking. Best wishes to you...

What about contacting other adoption agencies that offer counseling? You may just find one that will offer you the post placement counseling you need, or one that has a good the referral for you. all the best,

As for other agencies, I have contacted one, an hour away (which is the closest) and they have attempted to work with me. Though, the way that they handle adoptions is not something that I agree with nor do they agree with how the Adoptive family and I have worked out our adoption. (They do everything (ALL contact between families) via the agency. We do ours as a truly, fully open adoption.) So, I don't know if much ground will be gained via this avenue. I'm willing to give it another week or so though before I make my final decision. Of course! About finding a GOOD therapist in general... I don't know. The feelings that I am dealing with are related to how to deal with specific Adoption related issues. I have been treated so poorly by the agency, the lawyers, and humans in general who are uninformed about anything Adoption related that I am wary to tell my story to ANYONE who doesn't at least have a general knowledge of adoption as it is today. My heart is guarded and broken. Putting myself on the line has always been hard but to do so regarding this issue has become such a hard thing for me that I, for the first time in my life, find myself quiet. I am not a quiet person! heh. I so fear being judged. Repeatedly. And don't tell me that it's all in my head, for, unfortunately, it is not. I'm so tired of it and I am crying yet again. I'm just tired. Again, thanks for your help. I'm continuing to follow leads. It's just a slow process, I guess. Slow and tedious.