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.
Current Groups
(Click on a group name in this list to jump to its description.)
GROUPS FOR ADULT ADOPTEES
GROUPS FOR YOUNG ADOPTEES
GROUPS FOR PARENTS & CAREGIVERS
If you are interested in joining a group, 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.
We are conducting groups through telehealth
except where noted.
At BPAR we are committed to the safety of our clients.
We will continue to monitor and follow the guidance of
state and federal regulations.
Please email info@bpar.org with questions about a specific group.
Adult Adoptee Group Therapy
Adult Adoptee Group
Please join us for a support group for adults who have been touched by adoption.
Group leader: Seana Peterson, LICSW
Group cost: $35* per session.
Young Adult Adoptee Group (age 18-22)
Please join us for a 6-week peer support group for adult adoptees age 18-22
This 6-session virtual group is designed for young adult adoptees age 18-22 who might be transitioning from high school to college, recently graduated from high school, first- or second-year college students, or gap year students. The goal for this group is to provide a safe space for Peer Support, exploring topics and issues of racial trauma, adoption, search reunion, transitioning, separation, identity, and adjusting to changes entering adulthood.
Group leader:
Group Cost: $35* per session
(Pending)
Building Healthy Relationships Group
A group for adult adoptees who want to build healthy romantic relationships, ages 18+
This group is a brave 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 group support 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.
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 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.
People of Color Support Group
A POC group for people touched by adoption, ages 18+
This group is a brave 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.
Search and Reunion Group
This group offers a safe, affirming space for adult adoptees to share and learn from one another about what it is like to search for and reunite with biological family members. Whether you are just curious, searching, in reunion or at some other point in the process, you are welcome in this space. Topics such as DNA testing, preparing to meet biological family, coping with secondary rejection, identity exploration and self-care will be discussed.
Group leader: Seana Peterson, LICSW
Group cost: $35* per session.
Young Adoptee Group Therapy
Kids Adoptee Group
Please join us for a support 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
Group cost: $35* 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
Group cost: $35* per session.
New! In-Person Cohorts
In-Person Young Teen Group (age 13-15)
The Restorative Practice of Self-Care (Turn those lemons into lemon water!)
An expressive arts group for teen adoptees age 13-15
This group will involve Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 cohorts that will be open, but consistent attendance is expected.
This experiential group will offer teen members an opportunity to explore various methods of self-care through expressive therapies, mindfulness, embodied practices, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Group members will learn and practice various self-care practices with other teen adoptees and identify ways in which they may use these skills in their lives.
Session Dates for Fall 2023 Cohort:
Runs from October 17th - December 19th, 2023 every Tuesday from 6:00-7:00pm (not meeting on October 31st, November 21st, or November 28th)
Session Dates for Spring 2024 Cohort:
Runs from January 9th - May 7th every Tuesday from 6:00-7:00pm (not meeting on February 20th or April 16th)
Location: BPAR offices at 235 Cypress Street, Suite 310, Brookline, MA 02445
Group leaders: Madsion Janke, LMHC, R-DMT and Sahita Pierre-Antoine
Group Cost: $35* per session
Young Teen Group (age 13-15)
BPAR's virtual Adoptee Group for Teens Ages 13-15 offers a safe space for teens to meet other teens who are adopted and share their stories and experiences through writing, discussion, and art activities.
Group leader: Angela Smith, LICSW
Group Cost: $35* per session
Upcoming schedule
Teen Adoptee Group (age 16-18)
A support 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
Group cost: $35* per session.
Parent Group Therapy
Fall 2023 Cohort
Anti-Racism Parent Group
BPAR’s Anti-Racism Parent Group is designed for any parent with adopted children to discuss race.
Session Dates for Fall 2023 Cohort:
September 12 at 6 p.m.
September 26 at 6 p.m.
October 10 at 6 p.m.
October 24 at 6 p.m.
November 7 at 6 p.m.
November 21 at 6 p.m.
A learning and support group for parents who have adopted transracially to expand their racial literacy and to discuss issues as they relate to race, racism, anti-racism, and transracial adoption. Participants should expect to be operating outside of their comfort zone. During this group you may feel frustrated, defensive, sad, or even angry—and that is a good thing! Growing and doing anti-racism work calls for us to expand beyond our own comfortable world views and bubbles and listen to voices that challenge us. In service to that, we are looking to foster an environment of humility, honesty, learning, and self-reflection. This is predicated on a belief that we all have something to contribute and something to learn.
The group will meet Tuesdays at 6 p.m. biweekly for six sessions and it will be structured with pre-work and activities. Attendance commitment for the series of sessions is required. A 15-minute phone chat with each participant is required prior to joining the group to assess learning needs.
If interested, please sign up no later than September 5.
Group leader: Angela Smith, LICSW
Group Cost: $35* per session.
Parents of Adult Adoptees Group
Please join us for a monthly support 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: $35* per session.
Parents of Young Adoptees Group
Please join us for a monthly support 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: $35* per session.
Parents of Kid Adoptees Group
Please join us for a support 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: $35* per session.
Parents of Teen Adoptees Group
A virtual support group for parents of teen adoptees age 13-18. This group will meet for one hour.
We are now accepting new group members for a waiting list for future sessions.
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: $35* per session.
Single Parent Group (pending)
Please join us for a support group for single parents of adoptees.
(Note: This group is not currently running. We are accepting new members for a waiting list for future sessions.)
The group will offer a safe space to meet other single adoptive parents and caregivers and share their stories and experiences.
Group leader: KC Craig, LICSW
Group cost: $35* per session.
*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.