Any adoptees had counselling as an adult?

[Jessicabrassica]

I was just wondering if anyone who had been adopted had had counselling later in life? I was adopted at birth - and it was a good adoption, I was loved and very much wanted but now there are some things I could do with talking through with someone who really understands. Has anyone managed to find a counsellor? I can't find anyone local and the ones I have found seems astonishingly expensive. Local social services only offers support for tracing family members.

I have had counselling- not related to adoption but obviously it came up.

Relate are a charity which provide counselling at reduced cost but my experience with them wasn't fab but I think that was more about the councellor I got- don't let it put you off.

Personally I would ask for a referral from your GP to the local NHS mind matters team. You may need to be fairly blunt about the way you are affected by the issues to qualify and you will wait a while for non-urgent treatment but you can be sure of the qualifications.

Hi @Jessicabrassica

PAC-UK have support services for adult adoptees, they are in London and Leeds but I think offer a phone service as well. They may also be able to help find a local person

Thanks both. I've spoken to PAK-UK but they charge over £80 an hour and I can't afford that. Some of their local councils subsidise it for their residents so most people don't have to pay so much. They've suggested banardos but most of their councillors seem to be in East anglia - a million miles from where I am.

I could try GP but I know local services are closed to new referrals. No idea how long the wait would be. Friends of mine was told 18mo wait for therapy - and that was without a 6mi covid closure and backlog. I'll keep looking but thanks for your suggestions.
Work are pushing me towards doing trauma work and there are a few things I need to get straight in my own head before I can deal with anyone else's issues - which is why I can't wait a couple of years for the NHS!

I was surprised how quick I got seen through the NHS, proabably around 8 weeks all in. There are online services which they can refer to if physical councelling is too busy- I'm using that and it's fine.

If you are being asked to do trauma work, can you use work contacts to find something?

Organisations like Beacon House Org UK do good work with adults I hear and are building experience in relation to adoption, but they are more expensive than PAC.

I am an adoptee and haven't had counselling but have on two occasions had one off sessions, once with Relate and the other with a private psychologist, about two different discrete issues and both times it was incredibly helpful. I explained the situation and my thoughts and feelings about it and got really good feedback/insights sufficient for me to then deal. I am not sure whether this would be of help.

I think that the reason why so many adoptees struggle to find the right help with adoption issues is because there is so little relevant informing research about it. This has been recognised now though so hopefully things will change in the future.