RECOMMENDED RESOURCES FOR ADULT ADOPTEES & ADOPTION ADVOCATES
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255 OR Dial or Text 988.
Suicide – Read This First
Adoptee Centric Therapist Directory – Grow Beyond Words
Marie Dolfi – Specializes in counseling for all members of the adoption constellation.
Adoptees On Healing Series – Adoptee Therapist
Abby Jacobson, Adoptee Counselor
Ask Adoption by Lesli Johnson, MFT
100 Heartfelt Adoptee Quotes that Honor the Truth of Adoption by Pamela A. Karanova & 100 Adoptees Worldwide
100 Heartfelt Transracial Adoptee Quotes that Honor the Truth of Adoption by Pamela A. Karanova & 100 Transracial Adoptees Worldwide
15 Significant Steps Towards Adoptee Healing by Pamela A. Karanova
Adopted and Pro-Choice: A Reproductive Journey by Lynn Grubb
Still Grieving Adoptee Losses, What My Adoptive Parents Could Have Done Differently by Pamela A. Karanova
Considering Adoption? What Adoptees Want You To Know by Pamela A. Karanova
Light, Water, Love by Michelle Hensley | Severance Mag
Why Do Adoptees Search? An Adoptee Collaboration by Pamela A. Karanova
Adoption is Amputation! By Shane Bouel
Adoption, Sex, and the Pursuit of Love: Why Adoptive Parents Need to Talk to Their Children and Teens about Sex (2022) by Christina Romo
From Political Pawns to Punchlines – Leave Adoptees Out of Your Abortion Arguments (And Memes) by Stephanie Drenka
No, I Will Not Pretty Up the Details, Why I Don’t Agree with Positive Adoption Language (PAL) by Deanna Doss Shrodes
I’m Adopted: You Can’t Fix Me or Take My Pain Away. Please Stop Trying by Pamela A. Karanova
I Died the Day I Was Born by Shane Bouel
Article on Light of Day Stories about Adoptees Connect, Inc.
Maybe – What is the Cost of Swallowing a Secret? by B.K. Jackson | Severance Mag
“Not My Adoptee!” Yes, Your Adoptee by Sara Easterly
What Are the Mental Health Effects of Being Adopted? By Therodora Blanchfield, AMFT
Adoption and Abortion: What Adoptees Wish Others Would Consider When Discussing Adoption and Abortion by Melissa Guida-Richards
The Link Among the Brain, the Gut, Adoption, and Trauma by Maureen McCauley
Family History “UNKNOWN” – Understanding an Individuals Needs in the Healthcare Environment by Julia Small, MS III, Ramya Gruneisen, MS, Elaine Schulte, MD, MPH, BCC
I Am Grateful To Be Adopted – Yet Adoption is Still Traumatic by Therodora Blanchfield, AMFT
12 Smiliarities Between Witness Protection & Adoption by Shane Bouel
Dear Adoptive Parents: An “Angry Adoptee” Gets Vulnerable – The Pain Behind the Rage by Mila at Lost Daughters
Does Adoption Really Equal Trauma? by Maureen McCauley
The Truth About Adoption – An Adoptee’s Perspective by Stephanie Drenka
5 Infuriating Things Non-Adoptees Say to Adoptees by Angela Barra
Assume All Adopted Children Have Trauma by Musings of the Lame
How Adoptees Feel About Birthdays by Pamela Karanova
What Problems Do Adopted Adults Have? by Dr. Andrew Rosen
Bringing Adult Adoptee Issues to Light by Angela Burton of Next Avenue
5 Hard Truths About Adoption that Adoptive Parents don’t want to Hear by Louisa
These Adoptees Refuse to Be Christian Pro-Life Poster Kids by Kathryn Post of Religious News Service
10 Things Adoptive Parents Should Know – An Adoptee’s Perspective by Cristina Romo
What Adoption Taught Me About Family Separation by Stephanie Drenka
Adoptees, Why Are You So Angry? Over 100 Adoptees Share Heartfelt Feelings by Pamela A. Karanova & Adoptees Worldwide
Dear Adoptive Mother by Shane Bouel
We Should Be Fighting for a World Without Adoption by Michelle Merritt
When Your Biggest Blessing Invalidates My Greatest Trauma by Pamela A. Karanova
Struggles of an Adoptee: Loss by Cosette Eisenhauer
What it Costs to be Adopted by Michele Merritt
Canceling My Adoption by Netra Sommer
Exploring the Great Divide in Adoption: Why You’re Not That Different by Christina Romo
On the Anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Adoptees Don’t want to Be A “Pawn” in Abortion Debates by Danielle Campoamor
An Adoptee’s Perspective on Healing by Christina Romo
5 Reasons Why Biology Matters to an Adoptee by Angela Barra
Adoption and Mental Illness by Arline Kaplin
How to Help Yourself & Others with Suicide Ideation by Ginger Robinson
We Need to Talk About Adoptee Suicide by Angela Barra
Understanding Why Adoptees Are At A Higher Risk for Suicide by Maureen McCauley | Light of Day Stories
Research on Adoptees and Suicide by Harlows Monkey
Dealing with Adoptee Suicide by Lynelle Long
6 Things You Should Know About Adoptees and Suicide by Jennifer Galan
Adoptee Suicide by Layla Schaeffer
Adoptee Suicide in the Media by Jeanette-ically Speaking
Toward Preventing Adoption- Related Suicide by Mirah Riben
Suicide Amongst Adoptees by Hilbrand Westra
R U OKAY, Day? It’s Time To Talk About Adoptees and Attempted Suicide by Angela Barra
Recommendations for Reporting on Suicide by Suicide Prevention & Public Health Organizations
Changing the Conversation About Suicide by Claudia Youakium
Hidden Identity Podcast by Lynn Grubb
Who Am I Really Podcast? by Damon Davis
Adoptees On Podcast by Haley Radke
Somewhere Between Podcast – Asian Adoptee Podcast by Maia, Aimee, Alia, and Ace
The Adoption Files Podcast by Ande Stanley
Thriving Adoptees Podcast by Simon Benn
Secret Son Podcast by Mike Trupiano
Adoption: The Making of Me Podcast by Sarah Reinhardt & Louise Browne
The Adoptee Next Door Podcast by Angela Tucker
Cut Off Jeans Podcast by Julie Dixon Jackson & Richard Castle
Adoptee Thoughts Podcast by Melissa Guida – Richards
Born in June, Raised in April by April Dinwoodie
Adoptee Reunion Coaching – By Daryn Watson
Reunion: Is There Enough Room for Us All? By Lynn Grubb
Adoptees Connect, Inc. – Where Adoptee Voices Meet
Adoptee Merch – Your #1 Adoptee Merchandise Shop with 100% of the benefits donated directly to Adoptees Connect, Inc.
Adoptee Recommended Resources by Adoptees Connect, Inc.
Recommended Resources by Adoptees On
Right to Know – It’s a fundamental human right to know your genetic identity
Adoptee Paths to Recovery by NAAP United
Adoption Mosaic by Astrid Castro
Intercountry Adoptee Voices – ICAV
Adoptee Remembrance Day – October 30th – Exposing the hidden side of adoption, acknowledging adoptee suicide, grief, and loss.
Pamela Karanova’s website, where she documents her journey over years of her life, uncovering the truth of who she is and where she came from. Her audible memoir can be found here titled, “Finding Purpose in the Pain, One Adoptee’s Journey from Heartbreak to Hope and Healing.”
Dear Adoption, is a community where adoptees share stories.
Adoptee Restoration by Deanna Doss Shrodes
Adoptees for Justice – Inter-country adoptee-led social justice org working to educate, empower, & organize international & transracial adoptees
Truth is Louder by Moses Farrow
Adoption Decision-Making Among Women Seeking Abortion
Substance Use Disorders and Adoption: Findings from a National Sample
Adoption as a Risk Factor for Attempted Suicide During Adolescence
The Mental Health of US Adolescence Adopted in Infancy by Margaret A Keyes, Ph.D.
Relationship Between Adoption and Suicide Attempts: A Meta-Analysis
Risk of Suicide Attempt in Adopted and Nonadopted Offspring
Behavioral Problems in Adoptees
Attachment Theory Explained by Kacy Ames, LCSW
Rediscovering Latent Trauma: An Adopted Adults Perspective by Michele Merritt
Adopted Children Have Twice the Risk of Abusing Drugs if Biological Parents Also Did by Partnership Staff
Adoptees 4 Times More Likely to Attempt Suicide by Jenny Laidman
“Teachers and Adopted Children” Survey – Report: Key Findings, Topline Results, and Recommendations by Rudd Adoption Research Program Executive Summary Results
Adoption: Adverse Childhood Experience Explained by Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker
Infant Adoption is a Big Business in America by Darlene Gerow
Reckoning with The Primal Wound Documentary with 10% off coupon code (25 available) “adopteesconnect”
Closure Documentary by Angela Tucker
Daughter of a Lost Bird by Brooke Swaney
Calcutta is my Mother by Reshma McClintock
Father Unknown by David Quint
A Girl Like Her by Amy S. Weber
Adoption and Suicide Prevention: Adult Adoptees Speak Out by United Survivors
Adoption, DNA and the impact on a concealed life Tedx by Ruth Monning
Adoptee and Identity by Just Jae
Fireside Adoptees – Together We Rise!
Adoption and Addiction by Paul Sunderlund
The Trauma of Relinquishment- Adoption, Addiction, and Beyond by The OLLIE Foundation
An Adoptees Nightmare by Cryptic Omega
Transracial Adoptee Voices of of Love and Trauma by Mikayla Zobeck
What is Gaslighting and How Does it Impact Adopted Persons by Dr. Chaitra Wirta- Leiker
The Secret Identity of An Adopted Child: Catharine Robertson at TEDxBaltimore
Pulled by The Root – Unearthing Global Conversations for The Adoption Community
What is Adoption? A Video for Kids by Jeanette Yoffe
Finding Purpose in the Pain: One Adoptees Journey from Heartbreak to Hope and Healing, An Audible Memoir by Pamela A. Karanova
The Primal Wound – By Nancy Newton Verrier. Can be purchased used on Amazon.
Being Adopted: The Lifelong Search for Self – By David M. Broadzinsky, Ph.D., Marshall D. Schechter, M.D. & Robin Marantz Henig
Visit adopteereading.com, where you will find a comprehensive list of adoptee books recommended by adult adoptees.
Coalition for Truth and Transparency in Adoption – Rise Up, Speak Up, Join Up by Richard Uhrlaub
Adoptee Rights Coalition – ARC
Bastard Nation The Adoptee Rights Organization
Facing the Primal Wound of Transracial Adoption by Naomi Sumner
InterCountry Adoptee Stories by ICAV
Hey TRA by Hannah Jackson Matthews
Navigating Disability and Rare Medical Conditions as an Intercountry Adoptee by ICAV
Racisim and Microagressions in Transracial Adoption by AFFCNY
What Jessica wants You to Know About Transracial Adoption by Jessica Walton
Exploring Transracial Adoption and The Invisible Protection of Privilege by Molly McLaurin
Online Events by ICAV
Webinars by ICAV
Intercountry and Transracial Adoptee Experiences of Search and Reunion by Thomas Grhahm
I Am the Black Adoptee of White Parents: What George Floyd Taught Me About Race and the Adoption Industry by Tony Hynes
Harlow’s Monkey – An Unapologetic Look at Transracial and Transnational Adoption
Grieving as an Asian Adoptee by Stephanie Drenka
Diary of A Not-So-Angry Asian Adoptee
InterCountry Adoptee Memorial by ICAV
An Adoptee’s Perspective: 15 Things Transracially Adoptive Parents Need to Know by Christina Romo
Navigating Disability and Rare Medical Conditions as an InterCountry Adoptee by Lynelle Long
Dear Adoptive Parents of Overseas Adoptees, Wake Up! by Stephanie Drenka
Navigating Adoption by Cossette Eisenhauer & Zoe
To Pimp an Adopted Butterfly by Matthew Charles | Severance Mag
Transracial Adoptee Voices of of Love and Trauma by Mikayla Zobeck
Interview: Lynelle Long – TRA/International Adoptee Part 1 by Fireside Adoptees
Interview: Lynelle Long – TRA/International Adoptee Part 2 by Fireside Adoptees
Delaying Adoption Disclosure: A Survey of Late Discovery Adoptees by Amanda Baden & more.
Storytelling to Save Your Life: A Late Discovery Adoptee Experience by Kevin Gladish | Severance Mag
Late Discovery Adoptees (LDA) and What We Can Learn by Lynn Grubb
Narcissism and Adoption: Very Likely Bedfellows by Lynn Grubb
72 [S4 E10] Alice – Narcissism – Adoptees On Podcast
Trying to Heal After Maternal Narcissism by Louisa
5 Reasons Narcissistic Parents Replace Their Children by Devon Frye
The Narcissistic Adoptive Mother by Pamela A. Karanova
Adoption, Narcissism, and Psychopathy by Lee Daniel Hughes
New Study sheds light on the links between family type, childhood experiences, and narcissism by Eric W. Doolan
Is Maternal Narcissism more Prevalent in Adoption? By Louisa
Little Fires Everywhere – An Adult Adoptee’s Reflections: Narcissism and Mother- Blaming by Sara Easterly
33 Revealing Signs You Have A Narcissistic Parent: The Ultimate List by Toxic Ties
Finding Long Lost Family – DNA Favorites by Richard Hill
How Consumer DNA Testing is Changing the Conversation Around Original Birth Certificates (OBC) by Lynn Grubb
Adoptee Resources – DNA Favorites by Richard Hill
Right to Know – It’s a fundamental human right to know your genetic identity
While You Wait for Your DNA Results: Things Adoptees Can Do by Lynn Grubb
Finding Family Book – DNA Favorites by Richard Hill
The Best DNA Testing Companies – DNA Favorites by Richard Hill
Lessons for Adoptees with Unknown Parentage by Lynn Grubb
Favorite DNA Books – DNA Favorites by Richard Hill
Search Angels for Adoptees – DNAngels – Find Families, One DNA Strand at a Time.
DNA Search Tips for Adoptees by Janet Weinreich- Keall
Adoptee Remembrance Day: Today by Light of Day Stories
Before a month celebrating adoption, a day to recognize adoptees’ trauma by Religion News Service
Adoptee Remembrance Day by InterCountry Adoptee Voices (ICAV)
Adoptee Remembrance Day by Adoptees On
Adoptee Remembrance Day by My Adoptee Truth
Adoptee Remembrance Day Presentation by Brenna Kyeong McHugh
Adoptee Remembrance Day – October 30th by Bastard Nation
It’s Hard to Smile Today – My Tribute to Adoptee Remembrance Day – October 30th by Pamela A. Karanova
Adoption BE-AWARENESS and Remembrance By Mirah Riben
Adoptee REMEMBRANCE Day by Janet Nordine, Experience Courage
Adoptee Remembrance Day – October 30th YouTube Poetry Hosted By Liz Debetta
Listeners Acknowledge Adoptee Remembrance Day by Adoptees On
The Family Preservation Project – Adoptee Social Media Accounts to Follow
JoJo Patience – Adoptee Self-Help Book and Coaching for Adoptees
Start writing, journaling, and documenting your adoptee journey. WordPress is our recommended platform that is free to use. Healing through writing is a wonderful healing outlet, and we highly recommend it.
Crisis Hotline Numbers
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Call: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
- The Trevor Project – LGBTQ Community.
Call: 1-866-488-7386
- National Domestic Violence Hotline
Call: 1-800-799-7233
- National Sexual Assault Hotline
Call: 1-800-656-HOPE (1-800-656-4673)
- Suicide Hotline:
Call: 1-800-784-2433
- National Hopeline Network
Call: 1-800-442-4673 General Crisis Support by Text
- Crisis Text Line: Text Support to 741-741 (24/7) Trained counselors can discuss anything that’s on your mind. Free 24/7, confidential. crisistextline.org
Not a crisis but need someone to talk to:
- warmline.org
- Warm Line:
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Adoptees Connect Inc. is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) public charity. Donations to Adoptees Connect are tax deductible as allowed by law. Please consult your tax advisor regarding deductibility. EIN: 83-1862971. Thank you for your generosity in helping our vision move forward.
Where Adoptee Voices Meet 