Adoptees shouldn’t have to walk the road alone. So, I made this space for us.
Ambiguity. Geography. And a way for adoptees to connect despite the plans that separate us.
This 6-week enrichment group for teen adoptees provides resources to encourage and grow beside them. Whether they know it or not, teen adoptees are going to eventually need these basic skills:
- Examine and articulate immediate and longer-term goals
- Be honest about barriers they’ll encounter along the way
- Navigate concepts related to “who am I?” and “who am I from?”
- Recognize and practice a lexicon for understanding facts about their story
- Know where/who to turn for resources and how to access them
- Self-reflection and choice about their capacities, strategies, and willingness to take action
Teen adoptees will be warmly supported as they navigate:
- Birth/first family; birth culture
- Education about their experiences
- Relationships with other adoptees
- Adoptee-centered support and guidance
When adoptees miss out on being able to share their stories and hear from the others… they miss out on key factors that support their health and wellbeing.
It’s not because people are intentionally blocking them from these resources (mostly!). It’s because spaces like these are just not as openly available as we’d like them to be.
That’s why I’m happy to offer this virtual space for teen adoptees for the Fall 2023 season.
Adoptees will get:
- Refreshing, invitational environment
- Space to ask questions
- Time to hear from others
- Six weekly themes* that guide our discussion
- FREE access to online course for teen adoptees ($79 value) and adoptee workbook ($19.99 value)
- Co-created strategies and skills to apply personally and immediately
- New peers and community, along with a place to share from their specific lived experience
We’ll gather weekly and virtually on Zoom. Wednesdays at 3:30pm-4:15pm central time, 9/27, 10/4, 10/11, 10/18, 10/25, 11/1.
*Weekly topics include: adoption story, emotional literacy, identity development, finding your voice, friendship dynamics, relationship patterns, social media engagement, exploring and establishing boundaries, responding to questions in public, coping skills, mental health awareness, how to use community resources, feeling confident at school, envisioning the future, personal and community empowerment.
Facilitated by adoptee and therapist Cam Lee Small, MS, LPCC
“In the classroom he blends a depth of clinical experience with firsthand perspective to draw meaningful connections between mental health and the lived experience of adoptees in a way that is applicable and engaging.” –Elizabeth Keely Vandre, MSW, LGSW | University of Minnesota Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare
Access Eco-friendly
These days it’s hard to get teen adoptees connected in spaces built for them. Either access in your area is limited (or doesn’t exist) or they just might not be interested in these conversations yet. Here, they can eliminate travel time and connect from the comfort of their own home (or anywhere with Wifi!).
This is a place where their voice counts, and they get to practice using it in a context designed with their unique stories in mind.
What an honor and thrill it is to be able to offer this kind of space for adoptees. I can’t wait to work together with you and your family this next season!! -Cam
Cam’s Story
Cam’s personal experience as an international adoptee from Korea informs and inspires his current professional work. After 5 summers volunteering at Camp Choson and a year directing summer camp for Holt International, Cam earned his Master’s in Counseling Psychology and founded Therapy Redeemed as a licensed professional clinical counselor. His clinical practice aims to raise awareness and respond to the mental health needs of adoptees and their families wherever they may be in their adoption journey. Learn more about Cam’s summer camp experience here.
Professional Feedback RE: Group Facilitation at an Adoptee Camp
“The calm of Cameron’s presence allowed everyone to feel confident in moving forward in the conversation, knowing Cameron would keep them safe despite the challenging material. The skills and knowledge from his graduate education paired with his natural abilities provided cutting edge post adoption programming that we continue to benefit from today.”
A Message for Future Teen Adoptees
By Teen Adoptee from Fall 2022 Virtual Cohort:
“You are never alone in this situation and believe that you have a purpose and worth no matter what. Life will throw obstacles at you but don’t let that hold you back from being the person you wanna be :)”
Created by and for Adoptees
Through our virtual adoptee group, teens will find a refreshing, invitational environment in which they’re free to ask questions, listen to others, and enjoy meeting new peers who share this connection point in our experience of adoption.
Cam Lee Small, MS, LPCC 