How Adoption Social Workers Support You
Counseling for giving a baby up for adoption is one of the most important services a social worker for adoption agencies provides.
- Prospective birth mothers can face challenging emotions during the adoption process.
- Adoption counseling is an essential service to look for when choosing an agency.
- The best agencies provide experienced adoption social workers who support you throughout your adoption journey.
You deserve to have emotional support from a trusted and experienced adoption counselor. You can connect with a professional today by filling out our online contact form.
Until then, continue reading to learn more about adoption counseling and why it’s an important service provided by adoption agencies.
What is an Adoption Counselor?
Professionals that provide adoption counseling have many different names. Depending on the adoption agency or organization, they can be called:
- Adoption counselors
- Adoption social worker
- Adoption coordinator
- Adoption worker
- Adoption specialist
- Adoption agent
Whatever title or name they go by, these professionals are crucial members of your support team during the adoption process, as well as post-placement.
If you don’t have an adoption social worker yet, you could start by looking for one at these agencies:
- American Adoptions
- Adoption Answers
- Angel Adoption
So, what do adoption specialists do?
The Role of an Adoption Counselor
When you work with an adoption agency, especially one with a long history of completed placements, you are given an adoption social worker who provides a wide range of services.
- 24/7 support
- Adoption counseling
- Step-by-step guidance throughout the adoption process
- Help with creating a personalized adoption plan
- Ensuring your hospital plan is followed to meet your expectations
- Help in finding the perfect family that meets your criteria
- Mediation of communication between you and the adoptive family
- And more
You likely have a support team of family and friends, but your adoption social worker is your go-to for everything related to your adoption. They are always in your corner and have your best interests in mind.
As a prospective birth mother wondering what to expect from your adoption counselor, you can feel confident knowing the professional you work with is there to provide you with whatever you need.
Because you are in control of your adoption, your adoption specialist is there to support you in whatever capacity you need while helping you complete each step of the process.
Without a doubt, the services you get to complete your adoption safely are crucial, but just as important is the emotional support you receive from your adoption counselor.
Counseling for Considering Giving a Baby Up for Adoption
There are two important things every birth mother needs to know:
- Adoption is never “giving up.”
- An adoption counselor will never pressure you into choosing adoption.
It’s crucial that you know adoption is never “giving up” on your baby. Instead, it’s a brave and selfless decision to give your child a chance at a life full of opportunity when parenting isn’t an option.
You also need to know that the role of an adoption counselor or specialist is not to guide you to a decision for your unplanned pregnancy. They exist to support you and help you understand your pregnancy options, and give you the space to make the best decision for you.
Additionally, your adoption social worker is there to provide you important emotional support throughout the adoption process and post-placement.
Even though you know you’re making the right decision, complex emotions such as feelings of grief and loss are common in adoption. Your heroic decision to create a better future for you and your child deserves support from professionals who understand your situation.
So, what can you expect from your adoption specialist?
Care, support, guidance and accessibility when and how you need it. When searching for adoption counseling services, you’ll want to look for a professional who:
- Understands adoption and the emotional impact on birth mothers.
- Has experience working with birth mothers.
- Can offer a wide range of adoption services.
- Has a background in social work and adoption.
- Can be available to you when needed.
Don’t forget to reach out to a professional to learn more about the role of adoption counselors and how to know you’ve found the right adoption specialist. You can connect with an experienced adoption professional today by completing this online form,.
Why Working with an Adoption Agency is Important
There are many types of adoption professionals that help you place your baby for adoption. However, the services they provide can vary.
Birth mothers who choose to pursue an independent adoption are faced with finding multiple professionals to handle each aspect of the adoption process.
While adoption attorneys can complete your adoption, they often don’t offer matching services, leaving you with the burden of locating a family to adopt your child.
Adoption facilitators often aren’t regulated properly, and while they may offer adoption services, they may not have your best interests in mind.
Working with an adoption agency is the safest way to place your child for adoption and work with a trusted and experienced adoption social worker.
The best adoption agencies have online profiles of waiting adoptive families that you can search through before creating your adoption plan.
Larger national agencies have a larger pool of waiting families, giving you the best chance of finding the perfect family.
They also have a larger staff, meaning you get to work with an adoption specialist who can focus on your needs and provide you with counseling for giving a baby up for adoption. In contrast, smaller local agencies may not have the same availability.
The best way you can find an adoption counselor that can provide you with emotional support and essential adoption services is by reaching out to a professional who can answer questions you have for adoption counseling services.
