( HS Starnes & Wirta-Leiker 150166 2025) Play Therapy for Adoptive Children and Families: Navigating the Seven Core Issues in

Course overview

Adoption introduces unique emotional and behavioral complexities that significantly shape a childs needs and experiences. When working with adopted children in play therapy, understanding the Seven Core Issues in Adoption loss, rejection, guilt/shame, grief, identity, intimacy, and mastery/control is essential for effective intervention. Join Dr. Chaitra Wirta Leiker, PsyD, a licensed psychologist and international/transracial adoptee, and adoptive parent alongside Sabra Starnes, LCSW, RPT-S, a transracial adoptee and adoptive parent with over 24 years of experience as an adoption therapist, as they bring unique perspectives and extensive expertise in adoption related issues in play therapy. Youll learn how various adoption types foster, domestic, kinship, and international; same-race and transracial open, semi open, and closed can shape the content and dynamics of your play therapy sessions and influence how children express themselves and navigate their relationships. Gain actionable insights, enriched play therapy techniques such as bibliotherapy, backstory exploration, Theraplay and more, and discover a deeper empathy for the unique experiences of adopted children. Dont miss this session to enhance your clinical skills and support the well-being of adopted youth and their caregivers in meaningful ways.