Mental Health Supports and Adoption: What You Need to Know

“Adoption competency refers to providing mental health services tailored to the unique needs of children who are experiencing adoption or guardianship by adhering to key principles and competencies.”² Adoption competency includes a deep understanding of the complexities that are part of adoption.

The National Center for Adoption Competent Mental Health Services offers a searchable national database of therapists who have formal training in adoption competence. The database is searchable by state, type of training, licensing, and payment options.³ Psychology Today also has a searchable listing of adoption therapists.⁴

The National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative identifies five key principles of adoption competent mental health:

• Strengthening attachment
• Supporting grief and loss
• Understanding the impact of trauma on brain development and behavior
• Promoting positive identity development
• Evaluating the impact of race, culture, and diversity⁵

This resource from the Child Welfare Information Gateway provides a comprehensive overview of common therapy approaches that you and your child might encounter. These include: family therapy, group therapy, play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-informed therapy, and attachment-based therapy.⁶

There are multiple possible ways to pay for therapy. Some therapy is covered by private health insurance, though it may be necessary to choose from a list of approved providers. In some states, your child’s adoption assistance may cover the cost of therapy. The Child Welfare Information Gateway offers this list of the types of assistance offered by state.⁷ It is also always worth asking if a provider offers services on a sliding scale, based on income and ability to pay.⁸

Yes, under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), students can receive special education services for behavior-related disabilities, including “emotional disturbance”. Emotional disturbance is defined under IDEA to include difficulties with depression, anxiety, general emotional regulation, and social relationships. For more information about special education, see this FAQ from the U.S. Department of Education.⁹

Support groups can be incredibly valuable for bringing together people who have shared similar experiences. Families Rising (formerly the North American Council on Adoptable Children) shares the following potential benefits to adopted children of participating in support groups:

• Meeting and interacting with others who have had similar experiences
• Gaining insight into their own behaviors and feelings
• Meeting other children from similar backgrounds/cultures/race
• Feeling less isolated
• Increasing self-esteem¹⁰

This searchable database can help find ways to connect with other families.¹¹

1.  Paine, A.L., Perra, O., Anthony, R., & Shelton, K.H. (2021). Charting the trajectories of adopted children's emotional and behavioral problems: The impact of early adversity and postadoptive parental warmth. Developmental Psychopathology, 33(3), 922-936.
2.  Hill, S. (2024). I spy helpful help: How to find an adoption-competent therapist. I Spy Helpful Help: How to Find an Adoption-Competent Therapist
3. Adoption Competence National Directory - National Center for Adoption Competent Mental Health Services
4. Find an Adoption Therapist, Adoption Psychologist, Adoption Counselor - Psychology Today
5. Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2023). Finding and working with adoption-competent therapists.  
   Finding and Working With Adoption-Competent Therapists
6. Ibid.
7. Adoption & Guardianship Assistance by State | Child Welfare Information Gateway
8. Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2023). Finding and working with adoption-competent therapists.  
   Finding and Working With Adoption-Competent Therapists
9. Frequently Asked Questions | U.S. Department of Education
10. Anderson, J. (n.d.). The value of adoption groups: Supporting parents, supporting kids, supporting families. The Value of Adoption Groups: Supporting Parents, Supporting Kids, Supporting Families - Families Rising
11. Support Groups for Adoptive, Foster & Kinship Parents | Families Rising