Adoption Therapists in 61615
![Photo of Samar Barlota, MA, LPC, Licensed Professional Counselor](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/050a632b-e817-4014-93a0-c0d735604ee9/1/320x400.jpeg)
As a Licensed Professional Counselor, my personal experience as a first-generation immigrant and clinical background in adoption, trauma, and cancer care give me a unique perspective with cultural challenges that ethnic minorities may face and If you're determined to break free from unhealthy choices and strive for a better life, then reach out to me!.
Facing problems in your home life or relationships? Struggling to feel heard, understood, connected? Has the spark faded as the grind of life crowds out time together? Worried that something is wrong, but can’t quite put your finger on it—leaving you feeling lonely, depressed, anxious, and afraid? Has your trust been violated? Are people telling you it’s time to move on, but you feel conflicted? If you are at the end of your rope, I can help. I can guide you in learning how to connect with one another, rebuild trust, resolve conflicts, and become fully present with family at the end of a hard day’s work.
As a Licensed Professional Counselor, my personal experience as a first-generation immigrant and clinical background in adoption, trauma, and cancer care give me a unique perspective with cultural challenges that ethnic minorities may face and If you're determined to break free from unhealthy choices and strive for a better life, then reach out to me!.
Facing problems in your home life or relationships? Struggling to feel heard, understood, connected? Has the spark faded as the grind of life crowds out time together? Worried that something is wrong, but can’t quite put your finger on it—leaving you feeling lonely, depressed, anxious, and afraid? Has your trust been violated? Are people telling you it’s time to move on, but you feel conflicted? If you are at the end of your rope, I can help. I can guide you in learning how to connect with one another, rebuild trust, resolve conflicts, and become fully present with family at the end of a hard day’s work.
![Photo of Alyssa Hoey, LCSW, Clinical Social Work/Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/abbef164-cdee-4a1c-bc93-a6b381d55434/1/320x400.jpeg)
Deciding to start therapy is a brave, difficult decision! You may find you are in a situation where you feel like you are stuck, have no where to turn, or are navigating some of the most difficult times of your life. I find that people are looking to be heard, to feel safe, and to find support. Having the experience of being listened to, of being validated, and being supported can be the beginning of the process of healing. I work to create a warm, safe, and open therapeutic space for you to bring any emotion you may be feeling. Together, we can navigate the challenges you are facing and work towards your path to healing.
Deciding to start therapy is a brave, difficult decision! You may find you are in a situation where you feel like you are stuck, have no where to turn, or are navigating some of the most difficult times of your life. I find that people are looking to be heard, to feel safe, and to find support. Having the experience of being listened to, of being validated, and being supported can be the beginning of the process of healing. I work to create a warm, safe, and open therapeutic space for you to bring any emotion you may be feeling. Together, we can navigate the challenges you are facing and work towards your path to healing.
![Photo of Shauna Summers, LCPC, NCC, MS, MA, Counselor](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/a248c8c8-0ede-46da-96a9-e003c205b498/2/320x400.jpeg)
Through a collaborative and compassionate approach, I work to create a safe space where you can feel heard, understood, and validated. My goal is to help clients achieve their goals, improve their relationships, and enhance their overall well-being. We often look to the past to identify our core beliefs that guide our current worldview, priorities, and decision making. We have been learning these "core beliefs" about ourselves and the world since before we could walk and sometimes we stop integrating new observations and we become stuck. You can get unstuck with Shauna.
Through a collaborative and compassionate approach, I work to create a safe space where you can feel heard, understood, and validated. My goal is to help clients achieve their goals, improve their relationships, and enhance their overall well-being. We often look to the past to identify our core beliefs that guide our current worldview, priorities, and decision making. We have been learning these "core beliefs" about ourselves and the world since before we could walk and sometimes we stop integrating new observations and we become stuck. You can get unstuck with Shauna.
![Photo of Stacey J Munoz, MA, LCPC, Counselor](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/1830d636-8bf9-47fb-b100-1dc03bd890dd/2/320x400.png)
I have several years of experience in working with children who are experiencing difficulty in maintaining good behavior in school and at home. Adolescents who are struggling to maintain a safe and stable mood that includes self harmful behavior, poor self esteem, and anger. Adults who are struggling to overcome depressive symptoms, anxiety issues and family issues.
I have several years of experience in working with children who are experiencing difficulty in maintaining good behavior in school and at home. Adolescents who are struggling to maintain a safe and stable mood that includes self harmful behavior, poor self esteem, and anger. Adults who are struggling to overcome depressive symptoms, anxiety issues and family issues.
![Photo of Renae Miller, MS, MFT, LCPC, Counselor](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/c1558b9e-73a0-42d9-a630-1fce6732416b/2/320x400.jpeg)
It's not easy to talk to a stranger about the things that make us feel most vulnerable. It's difficult to hope that things could be better or to believe that we could be loved or accepted once we are fully known. I work with my clients in an atmosphere of respect, believing the best things for you that you cannot see right now, working together towards the goals that you courageously speak out loud. After 15 years in practice, I have seen so many people find freedom from the fears and symptoms that hold them back and it brings me great joy and honor to walk beside them as they heal.
It's not easy to talk to a stranger about the things that make us feel most vulnerable. It's difficult to hope that things could be better or to believe that we could be loved or accepted once we are fully known. I work with my clients in an atmosphere of respect, believing the best things for you that you cannot see right now, working together towards the goals that you courageously speak out loud. After 15 years in practice, I have seen so many people find freedom from the fears and symptoms that hold them back and it brings me great joy and honor to walk beside them as they heal.
![Photo of Amy Elizabeth Braman - Balanced LLC, LCSW, LCPC, Clinical Social Work/Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/3db496f5-46cd-11ea-a6ad-06142c356176/3/320x400.jpeg)
At Balanced, LLC we offer a wide range of counseling services for individuals and families to help everyone achieve emotional wellness.
At Balanced, LLC we offer a wide range of counseling services for individuals and families to help everyone achieve emotional wellness.
![Photo of Jason Davis, MA, LCPC, NCC, Counselor](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/a5674f50-12c0-4a28-afab-2d0df75d6609/1/320x400.jpeg)
I believe counseling is a collaborative process that's rooted in a supportive, therapeutic relationship. I focus on creating a sense of safety and trust that allows for exploration of vulnerabilities, recognition of strengths/weaknesses, and increasing insight into your patterns of thinking and behavior. I bring an individualized, eclectic approach that utilizes multiple theoretical orientations into my personal therapeutic style. My main goal is for you to feel like you're healing and growing as a person in all areas of life.
I believe counseling is a collaborative process that's rooted in a supportive, therapeutic relationship. I focus on creating a sense of safety and trust that allows for exploration of vulnerabilities, recognition of strengths/weaknesses, and increasing insight into your patterns of thinking and behavior. I bring an individualized, eclectic approach that utilizes multiple theoretical orientations into my personal therapeutic style. My main goal is for you to feel like you're healing and growing as a person in all areas of life.
![Photo of Justin Cody, LCPC, Counselor](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/bcfadc20-4682-4fdb-aa52-53a5326997d9/2/320x400.jpeg)
Life is full of twists and turns and ups and downs. I am here to help you through the peaks and valleys of your journey through life. Oftentimes we find life being unmanageable, I strive to create a compassionate, non-judgmental space to begin healing. Whether it is exploring difficult emotions, planning for the future, or working through the past, together we will work toward being the person God created you to be.
Life is full of twists and turns and ups and downs. I am here to help you through the peaks and valleys of your journey through life. Oftentimes we find life being unmanageable, I strive to create a compassionate, non-judgmental space to begin healing. Whether it is exploring difficult emotions, planning for the future, or working through the past, together we will work toward being the person God created you to be.
![Photo of Gelana McCloud, MS, LCPC, NCC, CCTP](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/9976c05b-188b-47ca-9ef8-ba90f4257a5a/1/320x400.png)
Gelana McCloud
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, MS, LCPC, NCC, CCTP
Verified Verified
Peoria, IL 61615
Accepting New Clients. In-Person and Telehealth. People who are the most successful working with me often feel overwhelmed, angry, depressed, anxious, or can't focus. They may feel they are overly emotional, extra sensitive or emotionally broken, and be of any age. People working with me feel they are having difficulty functioning in day to day life, feel overwhelmed, have trauma-related issues, or other mental health concerns. Successful people working with me can tell you they are better able to function and thrive in todays world.
Accepting New Clients. In-Person and Telehealth. People who are the most successful working with me often feel overwhelmed, angry, depressed, anxious, or can't focus. They may feel they are overly emotional, extra sensitive or emotionally broken, and be of any age. People working with me feel they are having difficulty functioning in day to day life, feel overwhelmed, have trauma-related issues, or other mental health concerns. Successful people working with me can tell you they are better able to function and thrive in todays world.
See more therapy options for 61615
Adoption Therapists
Does my adopted child need therapy?
Not every adopted child needs therapy. However, many can benefit from seeing an adoption-informed therapist, especially if they were victims of abuse or neglect, appear withdrawn or disconnected, have behavioral or developmental issues (which may or may not be related to their adoption), are struggling with feelings of grief or loss surrounding their birth parents, or find it difficult to establish an identity, a challenge that often becomes most apparent during adolescence.
When should adoptive parents seek therapy?
Prospective parents can benefit from therapy even before an adoption—for example, to voice worries and fears; to reconcile infertility struggles, if relevant; or simply to prepare themselves for parenthood. After the adoption, parents who are struggling to bond with their child; are unsure how to talk about adoption or related issues, such as race; or whose child is dealing with developmental, behavioral, or psychiatric concerns can address these and other issues with the help of an adoption-competent therapist.
Is family therapy appropriate for adoptive families?
Family therapy can be invaluable for strengthening the bond between adoptive parents and children, helping the latter feel more secure in their place in the family. Family therapy can also help adoptive families navigate complex communication issues—for example, parents who feel uncomfortable discussing race with their child, who in turn feels invalidated by their silence, or a child who has questions about his birth parents but avoids asking them out of fear of hurting his adoptive parents’ feelings.
What therapy is not appropriate for adoption issues?
A discredited therapy known as “attachment therapy” (sometimes called “holding therapy” or “rebirthing therapy”) should not be used to treat adopted and foster children, though it was largely designed for this population. Attachment therapy involves restraining, coercing, and punishing the child in order for them to “release” negative emotions and attach to their new caregivers—techniques that are abusive and dangerous and have even proven fatal in some cases.