Adoption Competence: What Mental Health and Child Welfare Professionals Need to Know

For a variety of reasons, adopted individuals and their families are more likely to use mental health services than the general population. Therefore, an adoption competent workforce becomes critical in helping adoptive parents manage these life complexities for themselves and their children across the lifespan. In addition, birth/first mothers and fathers also frequently utilize practitioners as they struggle to cope with their loss and manage ongoing relationships. This course discusses how mental health and child welfare professionals must possess not only the foundations for competent clinical practice, but a thorough understanding of the specific issues related to adoption. The course delves into the deeper and more unique issues, that require a thorough understanding in order for practitioners and systems to truly be adoption competent.

Dr. David Brodzinsky, PhD – Professor Emeritus, Rutgers University

Course length: 60 minutes

After attending this course, professionals will be able to:
• Explain why mental health and child welfare professionals need to be adoption competent.
• Explain why so many adoptive families feel frustrated when working with mental health professionals.
• Identify the knowledge base and experience needed by mental health and child welfare professionals to be considered adoption competent.
• Identify pathways for becoming adoption competent.

Course level: Beginning, Intermediate

Cost to register: $15
If you are a NCFA member, look for your discount code in the membership portal.