Adoptees in Midlife; Calling Ourselves Home

Many of us worry that when we reach a certain age, it is “too late” for us to find peace from Adoptee trauma and grief. How can we ever heal? I believe that midlife and beyond may be the richest time for Adoptee healing work, because we bring our life experience to the table, that which is called “Wisdom.” We know that there is limited time to feel and release the grief, and to make room for more joy and lightness in our hearts and bodies.

Whether or not we were able to find our biological family, or whether or not we are currently in reunion, making peace with our stories is possible. Working with therapists who truly understand our unique grief, and joining groups of other midlife and beyond Adoptees looking for peace towards the end of life can open the way to healing. 

I have spent the last 30 years devoted to my own Adoptee healing and quietly working with Adoptees and others who have needed to work though the deepest of grief. I have retired my licensed practice, but continue to offer guided, therapeutic sessions to adoptees. I love working with individuals and groups and I continue to be amazed at the depth of healing that occurs when we have the support we need. I am forever grateful for the love, light and sense of belonging that now reside in my own heart, and I am so excited to assist as many Adoptees as possible! 

If we work together, you will be standing side by side with someone who was of the baby scoop era and continues to work through the deep grief of separation. My earliest wounds of non-belonging have urged me to live a life of building deep connections wherever I go.  It makes sense to me that my later years will bring me back full circle to offering the wisdom and support I wish I had experienced in my earlier life.

There are few adoption-informed therapists in our country at this time. If you are already in counselling, hopefully you have found a professional who will learn deeply about the specific issues we adoptees have. Consider exposing them to the ever expanding resources that are available.

If you are looking for professional assistance, I would advise you to set up a free consultation with me to determine which path will lead you to the best outcome.  What is it that your truly desire? Are you stuck somewhere along the path of living the life you want to live? Do you need someone to validate the lifelong struggles that adoptees often experience? Most of all, do you need a compassionate witness to the heartache you have experienced?

Each session will be tailored to what you need. We may look at your dreams, share your journaling, discuss art projects that you have worked on. Don't worry, you do not need any art experience for SoulCollage© and other projects we will do. I will listen deeply to whatever you wish to share and look "between the lines" to help point out anything that will assist your healing.  Together we will walk the path that you came on this earth to walk. You will find me to be kind and compassionate but also straightforward in my guidance.

Women meeting together in Circles has been a powerful force in our world since the beginning of time.  Our Circles are all about being committed to supporting each other and being vulnerable and honest with ourselves and each other.

Circles for Adoptees in Midlife are grounded in safety and Kathryn holds excellent boundaries so that each woman is heard.

A variety of circles will be offered starting in the summer of 2024 so please contact Kathryn if you are interested. 

• SoulCollage© Card Classes to support the various parts of ourselves, especially the parts that we have trouble accepting.
• Book Circles that will be of interest to those of us who have lived the adoptee experience and therefore look at life though a certain lens.
• Other topics of interest, let Kathryn know if you have suggestions!

"Kathryn is a rare gem - a gifted, compassionate listener and voice of wisdom, and an elder Adoptee, offering gentle guidance towards true healing for adopted people.  I am a Baby Scoop Era (closed, secret) Adoptee, and until I found Kathryn, had no idea what impact that had on my being. I felt like I was trying for my whole life to put together the puzzle of me - in the dark, with one hand tied behind my back.  Kathryn has helped to light the way for me, to find more clarity and more peace and more self-compassion. The puzzle pieces have been falling into place. I am elated that she continues to find ways to expand her reach to help even more adoptees. There have been many times that I’ve feared that healing wasn’t possible for me.  Kathryn holds space for all the possibilities that we are and can be. I am so grateful for her support in my life.  It has made all the difference. I’m still here." -SH