Description
Book SynopsisWorking with Adoptive Parents gathers the current research and best practices on successful interventions in working with adoptive families and translates it into practical applications for therapists to use with this population.
Table of ContentsForeword xi
Preface xiii
Acknowledgments xxi
About the Editors xxiii
Contributors xxv
Chapter 1 Setting the Stage: The Adoptive Parent in Context 1
Virginia M. Brabender and April E. Fallon
Characteristics of Adoptive Parents 2
Serving the Needs of Adoptive Parents 5
History of Adoption 8
Contemporary Controversies 16
Practical Points 20
Conclusions 21
Chapter 2 Theoretical Contributions to the Understanding of Parent-Child Bonding in Adoption 23
April E. Fallon and Barbara L. Goldsmith
Before the Family Becomes a Unit: Daniel Stern and Intrapsychic Reorganization 23
The Case of Dora 25
Bowlby and the Importance of Secure Attachment in Healthy Development 26
The Parallel Caregiving System: Contributions of George and Solomon 28
Ego Psychology and the Significance of Adaptation 32
Contributions of D. W. Winnicott 33
Kohut and the Development of Self-Esteem 37
Mentalization: Holding the Adopted Child in Mind 38
Separation-Individuation and the Contributions of Margaret Mahler 41
Practical Points 43
Conclusions 44
Chapter 3 Using Research to Inform Best Practices in Working With Adoptive Families 45
Hal S. Shorey, Sanjay R. Nath, and Meridith Carter
The History of Research on Attachment and Parent-Child Interactions 46
Research on Adoption 50
Attachment-Based Interventions for Use in Adoption 56
The Circle of Security 57
Practical Points 59
Conclusion 59
Chapter 4 The Adoptive Mother 61
Virginia M. Brabender, Amanda Swartz, Mary Winzinger, and April E. Fallon
The Eras of Adoptive Motherhood 61
Adolescence 80
Practical Points 84
Conclusion 85
Chapter 5 The Adoptive Father 87
Rao Gogineni and April E. Fallon
Important Role Functions of the Father 87
Becoming and Being an Adoptive Father 92
Practical Points 103
Conclusion 104
Chapter 6 Recognizing Diversity in Adoptive Families 105
Virginia M. Brabender, April E. Fallon, Alicia Padovano, and Phil Rutter
Identity Variables Within the Addressing Framework 106
Family Structure 125
Practical Points 127
Conclusion 127
Chapter 7 Adoption of Children With Special Health Care Needs 131
S. Ileana Lindstrom, Sonia Voynow, and Bret A. Boyer
Three Approach Classes 132
Comparison to Children in the General Population 134
Disruption of Adoption for Children With SHCN 134
Who Are the Families Who Adopt These Children? 135
Commitment 135
Preparation 137
Coping and Stress 140
Existential Issues 142
Posttraumatic Stress 142
Ambiguous Loss 143
Posttraumatic Growth 144
Marital Satisfaction 145
Practical Points 145
Conclusion 147
Chapter 8 Parenting the Young Child 149
Elaine Frank and Denise Rowe
Ghosts in Adoptive Families 149
Intervention With Adoptive Families: Developmental Guidance, Parent-Child Groups, and Parent-Child Therapy 153
Parenting Cornerstones for Adoptive Families 156
Enhancing the Parent-Child Relationship in Adoptive Families: Developing an Adoption Dialogue 163
Practical Points 168
Conclusion 168
Chapter 9 Adoptive Parenting of Teenagers and Young Adults 169
Joseph White
Developmental Themes of Adolescence and Early Adulthood 169
Individuation, Independence, and the Adoptive Parent-Child Relationship 172
Insights for Parents and Therapists 174
Identity Formation in International, Transcultural, and Transracial Adoptees 177
Practical Points 180
Conclusions 180
Chapter 10 Therapeutic Interventions With Adopted Children and Adoptive Parents: A Psychoanalytic Developmental Approach 181
Theodore Fallon Jr.
Introduction 181
Development of the Human Mind 181
Therapeutic Intervention in a Psychoanalytic Developmental Approach 182
Parent Problems and Child Problems in the Context of a Psychoanalytic Developmental Approach 182
Intergenerational Transmission of the Human Mind—The Missing Link 184
Evaluating the Parent-Child Dyad 185
Practical Points 194
Conclusion 194
Chapter 11 Adoptive Parent as Consultant, Educator, and Advocator 195
Virginia M. Brabender and Toni Whitmore
The Roots of Problems Facing Adoptive Parents 197
Action Implications 200
Practical Points 210
Conclusions 211
Chapter 12 Meeting the Needs of Adoptive Parents: Practice, Training, and Research 213
Patricia G. Ramsey, Virginia M. Brabender, and April E. Fallon
Practice 213
Training 223
Research 228
Practical Points 231
Conclusions 231
References 233
Author Index 271
Subject Index 281
