Complex Trauma, Dissociation and Adoption - Supporting Families and Avoiding Disruption

This session is available for 3.00 APA and ASWB credits.

Abstract
Dissociation in children and adolescents has been largely denied, minimized, and ignored. Trauma and its’ impact on young children have similarly been denied, minimized, and ignored. The belief that children are not affected by very early events combined with a narrow, adult-lens definition of the word “trauma” and a poor understanding of early attachment dynamics has created a kind of “adoption trauma blindness”.

In clinical practice I’ve encountered many knowledgeable, experienced and committed adoptive parents who were blindsided by the difficulties they experienced with their adoptive children. I’ve encountered an equal number of young people who have had their adoptions break down, leading to further trauma and loss. Between 5-20% of adoptions in the United States experience disruptions ranging from foster placement to permanent breakdown. Canada doesn’t track adoption failures or disruptions, but experts estimate the numbers are similar. Even when adoptions don’t break down, adoptive families can experience challenges ranging from the disruptive to the devastating. Adoptees are four times more likely to commit suicide than non-adoptees; they are twice as likely to experience addiction. Parenting an adoptee with unrecognized trauma, unacknowledged attachment difficulties or an undiagnosed dissociative disorder can range from the confusing to the terrifying. Parents experience a range of reactions from others, from dismissal to outright blame.

This workshop will begin by examining the mechanisms by which pre-adoption complex trauma and loss can impact family integration. Different post-adoption outcomes will be discussed. Using both didactic and interactive methods, the assessment of pre-adoption traumatic impact, treatment planning and specific treatment tools and techniques will be explored. Be increasing transparency about the potential challenges in adoption, providing meaningful pre-adoption training and post-adoption support, we can greatly improve the outcome for many adopted children.