Navigating Reunion with MPEs (CE Course)
$52.50
This introductory class is designed to help therapists, assist their clients in fully processing the experience of searching and connecting with their genetic relatives, or in dealing with the rejection of their request to meet. The course is taught through the lens of adoption and presents the practitioner with an overview of the adoption world, the impacts of separation from genetic family, the desire to know a person’s genetic identity, the best practices of searching, and the dealing with the emotional outcome of reunion. First, we review the historical context of relinquishment of children and how parent-child separations at all ages lead to a host of long-term psychological, social, and health problems that are not necessarily resolved if and when reunion occurs. These separations have far-reaching effects into adulthood, including increased risk for mental health problems, poor social functioning, insecure attachment, disrupted stress reactivity, and mortality. It is important to understand the innate desire for people to know their genetic identity and impacts of the loss of connection to genetic family. We will review the research on best practices for searching for genetic family and how to approach reunion. It is important to the factors that facilitate or hinder post-reunion relationships. Searching for genetic family may lead to rejection and we explore the possibilities and impacts of rejection and health means of dealing with such an occurrence.
The course is taught by Leslie Pate Mackinnon, MA, LCSW.
Objectives
- Understand the profound psychological impact of infant separation from genetic family
- Relate to the innate desire for people to know their genetic identity the impacts of loss of connection to genetic family
- List the best practices for searching for genetic family and how to approach reunion
- Explore the possibilities and impacts of reunion, including healthy means of dealing with rejection
Topics
- Overview of adoption history and terminology
- Stages of reunion
- Basics of rejection
1.75 Credit Hours
