Post Adoption Support Groups at BPAR
At Boston Post Adoption Resources, we organize therapeutic post adoption support groups for all ages, each offering support and unity in an accepting environment. We will provide you with resources and if interested, connect you with others who have been through similar experiences.
We also offer creative writing workshops.
Why consider a support group with peers? The BPAR team discusses the benefits in these posts:
5 Benefits of Group Therapy
The Value of Children's Group Therapy
Spotlight on BPAR's Adult Adoptee Group Leaders
Current Groups
The descriptions below will give you a sense of what we currently offer. If you are interested in joining one or more peer groups, would like to suggest a new group, or would like more information, let us know through the Boston Post Adoption Resources Peer Groups Form. Once we receive your form, one of our clinicians will call you to conduct an initial phone screen process before each new group member attends.
Normally, we hold all support groups in our BPAR space at 235 Cypress Street in Brookline. While all of us are self-isolating, we are using telehealth to host many of the groups listed below.
*Partial scholarships are available to assist with group costs. We accept cash, credit card, or check. Please contact us at info@bpar.org if you have questions.
During the COVID-19 outbreak,
we are conducting groups through telehealth
when feasible.
At BPAR we are committed to the safety of our clients.
We will continue to offer all of our services exclusively through telehealth
as long as state and federal regulations recommend this as best practice.
Please email info@bpar.org with questions about a specific group.
Adult Adoptee Group Therapy
Adult Adoptee Group
Please join us for a therapeutic group for adults who have been touched by adoption.
Group leader: Seana Peterson, LICSW
Group cost: $30* per session.
People of Color Support Group
A POC group for people touched by adoption, ages 18+
This group is a brave therapeutic space in which we will explore and process what it is like to be a person of color in the world today. Racial identity development is already complex before adding adoption to it.
Group leader: Marta Isabella Sierra, LMHC
Group cost: $35* per session.
LGBTQ Support Group
A group for adult adoptees who identify as LGBTQ to access support and build community to facilitate healing, ages 18+
This biweekly group will be a brave therapeutic space in which you will be able to explore the challenges of being adopted and being LGBTQ. Group will be led through an IFS lens and will involve some creative writing.
Group leader: Marta Isabella Sierra, LMHC
Group cost: $35* per session.
Building Healthy Relationships Group
A group for adult adoptees who want to build healthy romantic relationships, ages 18+
This group is a brave therapeutic space in which you will learn why romantic relationships can be challenging for adopted people and learn skills to help you build strong, healthy relationships. Whether currently in a relationship or not, anyone who believes this group would benefit them is welcome. Group will include psycho-education about attachment and adoption trauma as well as therapeutic activities.
BPAR runs relationships groups in series that run over several months. If you are interested, feel free to express interest in the next group using our Sign-Up Form.
Attendance commitment for a series of sessions is required. Contact BPAR to speak with group leader for case-by-case exceptions.
Group leader: Marta Isabella Sierra, LMHC
Group cost: $35* per session.
Support for Partners Group
A group for romantic and intimate partners of adult adoptees who seek support around the relational challenges of being with someone who was adopted, ages 18+
This biweekly group will be a brave therapeutic space in which you learn why relationships with adoptees can be challenging, increase your awareness of attachment, and build healthy skills to communicate and connect more deeply. Group will be led through an IFS lens and will involve some creative writing.
Group leader: Marta Isabella Sierra, LMHC
Group cost: $35* per session.
Young Adoptee Group Therapy
Kids Adoptee Group
Please join us for a therapeutic group for kids age 8-10 who are adopted.
The group offers a brave space for kids to meet other kids who are adopted and share their stories and experiences through writing, discussion, and activities.
Group leaders: Angela Smith, LICSW and Elena Li
Group cost: $30* per session.
Tween Adoptee Group
Please join us for a therapeutic group for kids age 11-12 who are adopted.
The group offers a brave space for kids to meet other kids who are adopted and share their stories and experiences through writing, discussion, and activities.
Group leaders: Angela Smith, LICSW and Elena Li
Group cost: $30* per session.
Teens Adoptee Group (age 13-15)
A therapeutic group for teen adoptees age 13-15.
This group will offer a brave space for teens to meet other teens who are adopted and to share stories and experiences through writing, discussion and activities.
Group leaders: Angela Smith, LICSW and Elena Li
Group cost: $30* per session.
Teens Adoptee Group (age 16-18)
A therapeutic group for teen adoptees age 16-18.
This group will offer a brave space for teens to meet other teens who are adopted and to share stories and experiences through writing, discussion and activities.
Group leaders: Angela Smith, LICSW and Elena Li
Group cost: $30* per session.
Parent Group Therapy
Parents of Adult Adoptees Group
Please join us for a monthly group for parents of adult adoptees.
This group offers a safe space for parentsof adult adoptees to meet other adoptive parents and caregivers to share stories and experiences.
*All meetings are currently being held via teleconference*
Group leader: KC Craig, LICSW
Group cost: $30* per session.
Parents of Young Adoptees Group
Please join us for a monthly group for parents of young adoptees ages 4-7.
This group offers a safe space for parents and caregivers of young adoptees to meet others and share their stories and experiences. Group members will be invited to discuss all aspects of parenting—the challenges, joys, frustrations, and successes.
*All meetings are currently being held via teleconference*
Group leader: Darci Nelsen, LMHC, BC-DMT
Group cost: $30* per session.
Parents of Kid Adoptees Group
Please join us for a therapeutic group for parents of adopted kids ages 8-12.
The group offers a safe space to meet other adoptive parents and caregivers and share their stories and experiences.
Group leader: KC Craig, LICSW
Group cost: $30* per session.
Parents of Teen Adoptees Group
A therapeutic group for parents of teen adoptees age 13-18.
This group for parents of teen adoptees offers a safe space to meet other adoptive parents and caregivers and to share stories and experiences.
Group leader: KC Craig, LICSW
Group cost: $30* per session.
Parenting Group on Race
BPAR’s Parenting Support Group on Race is designed for any parent with adopted children to discuss race.
The group will offer a safe space for parents with adoptive children to connect and discuss how race and racism are impacting their families. The group offers an opportunity to build community and reflect on current events.
Group leaders: KC Craig, LICSW and Angela Smith, LICSW
Group Cost: $30* per session.
Single Parent Group
Please join us for a therapeutic group for single parents of adoptees.
The group offers a safe space to meet other single adoptive parents and caregivers and share their stories and experiences.
One special session: January 28, 2021, 3-4 p.m.
Group leader: KC Craig, LICSW
Group cost: $30* per session.
Adult Workshops (Non-Therapuetic)
New!
Wellness Workshop Series
A monthly workshop series focuses on improving skills for self-compassion and overall well-being. Open to anyone 18+
This workshop will offer a space for all adults (18+) who would like to learn tangible skills for self-compassion, stress relief, and emotional expression. Each month will feature a different modality and leave you with a new tool to support your self-care practice.
These non-therapeutic sessions begin at 6 p.m., run approximately one hour, and are conducted by teleconference. Recordings and slides will be available to registrants after each session.
2021
October 13: Introduction to Breathwork
November 10: Embodied Awareness
December 8: Mindfulness & Meditation with KC Craig, LICSW
2022
January 12: Affirmations Practice
February 9: Introduction to Internal Family Systems (IFS) with Marta Isabella Sierra, LMHC
March 9: Expressive Arts
April 6: Poetry and Written Expression
May 11: Trauma-Informed Yoga (special price: $20)
Workshop coordinator: Darci Nelsen, LMHC, BC-DMT
Workshop cost: $30* per session except for May 11 Trauma-Informed Yoga ($20)
All workshops will be held via teleconference.
Voices Unheard Monthly Writers Workshop
A workshop* for adoptees and all those who grew up out of home placement, ages 18+
Each monthly workshop focuses on a theme, using writing prompts provided by the facilitator. Space is limited to 7 participants in each workshop. Attendees may sign up for as many workshops as they would like.
2022 schedule
February 15: Loss
March 15: Control
April 12: Reunion
May 10: Healing
June 7: Identity
July 12: Intimacy
Workshop facilitator: Lisa Coppola, LMHC
Workshop cost: $30* per session
All workshops will be held via teleconference
