What if I don’t want any counseling or support after the adoption process?
By Blessing E. Ikhimokpa
When birth mothers have gone through the adoption process, counseling/support is offered to them. But it’s not something that is required. Going through the adoption process doesn’t mean you’ll need to receive counseling or support. It just means you wanted to place your birth child up for adoption. But needed help from your local adoption agency.
At Adoption Choices of Colorado, we offer counseling/support or anything the birth mother requires. At our agency, counseling/support is something we provide to all birth mothers. But it’s not something that is forced. If any birth mother would like counseling/support, they can contact us at the Adoption agency in Colorado.
Is counseling or support required after the adoption process?
After the adoption process has been completed, some birth mothers are welcome to seek counseling if needed. But it’s never something that’s required. If a birth mother decides they don’t want to receive the counseling/support the adoption agency is providing. They don’t have to. Counseling /support is provided to all birth mothers and birth fathers. It’s not something that is forced upon them if they don’t want it.
What support does the adoption process offer?
Depending on what the birth mother or father needs. Our agency will find a way to help provide that assistance. In any way we can. At Adoption Choices of Colorado, we offer:
- Financial assistance
- Medical care
- Housing and Transportation
When dealing with an unplanned pregnancy, some birth mothers aren’t prepared. Whether it be financially or housing. So at our agency, we understand that every birth mother is different. What one birth mother may need may not be the same for the other. This means when it comes to financial assistance. So we offer what is allowed by the state of Colorado.
Medical expenses are expensive whether you’re dealing with a pregnancy or not. We understand this. This is why we have specialized adoption agents. That will help assist in that. During pregnancy, birth mothers shouldn’t be worrying about the medical expenses needed. They should worry about not stressing over anything since we’re here to provide any assistance.
Not every birth mother has the means of housing and transportation. Some birth mothers do have the means. But that doesn’t mean they all do. When a birth mother needs housing or transportation, our agency will help the birth mother in finding and renting a place to stay. We’ll help the birth mother with their expenses. By covering the rent for 4-6 weeks of their pregnancy.
Will there be counseling or support when needed?
Yes, whenever the birth mother or father wants or needs counseling/support. It will be there for them. Remember, our agency can only help if the birth mother or father wants it. We’re not here to force counseling/support on anyone. Instead, we’re here to lend a hand when wanted. If counseling was forced, no one would want to receive it, which means lending a hand. The birth mother or father could decide whether they want to reach out or not.
If you’re thinking of placing your birth child up for adoption. But people are telling you that you’re
Giving the baby up for adoption. Instead of placing them up for adoption. Then you can contact your local adoption agency and ask to speak to a counselor. Adoption isn’t giving anyone up. It’s giving the birth child a second chance. What people who have never thought of adoption are thinking is;
- Adoption is the easy way out
- You’re giving the birth child away
- Just take care of the birth child
- You’re being selfish
They don’t think about the many reasons the birth mother or father had. When deciding to place the birth child up for adoption. All they see is the birth mother or father placing their birth child up for adoption. Something they would never have thought to do themselves.
What are the different types of adoptions in Colorado?
In Colorado, there are three types of adoptions to choose from. There’s an open, semi-open, and closed adoption. Depending on the relationship the birth parent (s) want with the birth child. Will determine which type of adoption they choose from.
If the birth parent (s) would like to see the birth child after the adoption. Then they could choose
Open adoption. In this adoption, the birth parent (s) can have a relationship with the adoptive parent (s) and the birth child. Where the adoptive parent (s) will send:
- Emails regarding the birth child’s wellbeing
- Videos showing the adoptive parent (s) playing/hanging out with the birth child
- Pictures showing the birth child’s everyday activities
In Open adoption, the birth parent (s) and the adoptive parent (s) would share contact information. So, in case anything were to happen. The adoptive parent (s) could contact the birth parent (s) to keep them updated. However, giving out contact information to the adoptive parent (s) isn’t for everyone. Some birth parent (s) would rather the adoption agency deal with any communication.
Similar to semi-closed adoption, any communication with the adoptive parent (s). The adoption agency handles it instead of the birth parent (s) choosing and reviewing the different adoptive parent (s). The adoption agency chooses for them. In a closed adoption, anything regarding the adoption process. The adoption agency handles it. The birth parent (s) have decided to leave the adoption process to the adoption agency. To the birth parent (s), their job is done. They don’t want to be involved anymore than they have been.
Counseling or support only works if both parties are in agreement. If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and want to learn more about your adoption options, contact Adoption Choices of Colorado by email, phone, or text: Email Us, Text us: 720-371-1099, Call us: 303-670-4673 (HOPE). If you are hoping to adopt, please contact us here.
Stephanie joined the Adoption Choices family in 2014 as the Child Placement Supervisor. Her love for adoption began in first grade when she made friends with twins adopted from Vietnam. Her heart grew strong over the years for adopted children and ultimately led her to graduate school where she continued her focus to her dream of working in the adoption field. Stephanie earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver in 2001. Over the past 15 years, Stephanie has worked as a pregnancy counselor and as an adoptive parent counselor for foster care, international adoption and domestic adoption, writing hundreds of home studies for families, and helping build their forever families. Stephanie is married and has three boys ages 12, 9, and 5. Together with her family she enjoys riding bike, playing games, watching her three sons compete in their various sporting and musical activities and go on vacations.
Christy Ikeler, is our Executive Director and Birth Parent Director. Christy has been with Adoption Choices Team for 18 years, since opening the doors in 2002! Christy has a true passion for what she does and her true love is working with and helping each birth parent. Whether she is up all night on the phone talking with them, taking them to doctors appointments, out for their favorite treat, providing counseling or at the hospital during labor and delivery, Christy is very involved every step of the way. She has a contagious laugh and a spunky personality that our birth moms all can bond with and relate to. As an adoptive parent herself, adoption holds a very special place in her heart and she can relate on every level with both birth parents and adoptive parents. In her free time Christy loves spending time with her daughter, gardening, baking and taking vacations with her family. Christy is an excellent leader for our team at Adoption Choices and is truly one of a kind!! As Executive Director, Christy spends time with the staff, birth parents and adoptive families in order to ensure that the agency is running smoothly. She has placed a huge emphasis on community outreach and programs for birth parents. Christy loves the opportunity to lead the agency into a brighter future.
Ms. Mackenzie has built a successful counseling career over the past 20 years, supporting mothers and families, people of all ages and genders, students, community professionals and fellow clinicians. Liv values a diverse professional focus, including the entrepreneurial life of a sole proprietor, the evaluative process of certifying foster/adoptive homes, the insightful and mindful one-on-one one work with enthusiastic clients, and serving as an advocate for underserved populations. Liv is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds a BA in Pre-Law and Economics from American University, an MA in Counseling from Adams University and a certificate in Human Resource Management from Villanova University. Away from work you will find Liv spending time in nature, biking to the farmer’s market and adventuring with her family.
Catherine A. Madsen, joined the Adoption Choices family as legal counsel in 2013. Catherine is responsible for providing legal guidance to the Agency, training and updating staff on developments in adoption law and legislation, and program development. Catherine
Virginia Frank is an adoption attorney accredited since 1991 with the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. Ms. Frank is a leader in the field of private adoption and has completed over 4,000 adoptions in her career. Ms. Frank has a law degree from Oklahoma City University and a BA in both Political Science and Communications from the University of Oklahoma.
Cassidie has been with Adoption Choices since 2015, she has her bachelors in Interdisciplinary Affairs with concentrations in both Sociology and Business Management. Cassidie has additional training in Victim Advocacy, foster care and has been working in women’s services for over 10 years. Cassidie has always had a heart for adoption and it was her career dream to work in adoption. She started off doing volunteer work for advocacy programs, adoption organizations and worked in High Risk Maternal Fetal Medicine through the University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Colorado. Cassidie is also blessed to have personally experienced an adoption of her own in 2012, completing her family of five! Cassidie loves what she does as a case worker from initial phone calls, meetings, doctor appointments, interaction with the adoptive families to delivery and counseling. Cassidie has a passion for those in need and strives to help make a difference in the lives of the people she meets. She is a firm believer in being kind, compassionate and open minded in all situations. “Unless you’ve walked in their shoes, there’s no place for judgment. A kind word or compliment can go a long way!” The bittersweet moments in adoption reminds Cassidie each and every time, why she loves what she does!