Counseling is a funny word. It comes with all sorts of connotations. Many people think counseling is some sort of weird treatment or therapy that only people with mental problems need. Others believe it is a healthy thing that people use when they face a problem or a tough decision and they need help thinking it through objectively. But what does counseling really mean? And what in the world is adoption counseling?
Let’s talk about that.
Adoption counseling is discovering the best choice for you and your baby. Whether you choose adoption or another alternative, adoption counselors are here to walk you through all your options. They will help you envision what these options would look like in your life, and they will assist you in evaluating what you really want your and your baby’s life to look like. Some of the topics you and your adoption counselor will brainstorm about include: your life goals, your baby’s needs, housing, finances, marriage, extended family support, single-parenting, and much more. An adoption counselor will help you objectively look at where you are right now, where you want to go, and how to get there.
Adoption counseling is support for life. An adoption counselor will stand by you before, during, and after your adoption. At Gladney, you will be connected to support groups and individual counselors who will help you process your adoption decision at every point of your pregnancy. Placing a child for adoption is a big deal, and sometimes you just need somebody to listen to you express your thoughts and ideas. Adoption counseling is a place where that can happen.
Adoption counseling is helping your pursue your dreams. At Gladney, in addition to helping your figure out how your pregnancy will affect your life dreams, every birth mom is given access to career counseling. From resume writing to job searching to interviewing to simply figuring out what you want to do in life, career counselors will help you achieve the next steps required for reaching your life goals. Your adoption decision is a choice to give your child the best possible chance at life, but it’s also a determination to give yourself the best possible chance at achieving your dreams.
Interested in learning more about adoption?
This can be confusing time in your life. Our options counselors can help your figure out where to go from here.