Constellation Conversations: Adoption, Adoptee Voices, and Trauma-Informed Care

Join us for a powerful conversation with Liliana, an international and transracial adoptee from the indigenous community of Ecuador, as she shares her journey of complexity, self-discovery, and cultural reconnection.

In this first part of a two-part episode of Constellation Conversations, Liliana opens up about the complexities of growing up adopted without knowledge of her birth or early life history. She speaks candidly about the ...

The holidays can be a time of joy, but also a time of complex emotions for those touched by adoption. In this episode of Constellation Conversations, we shift our focus to the adults in the adoption constellation – adult adoptees and first families. Join Sarah, an adult adoptee and trauma therapist and Brenda, an adoptive parent in an open adoption, as they explore the unique challenges and opportunities that the holidays can bring...

In this episode, Sarah, an adoptee and trauma therapist, shares her unique perspective on how the holidays can bring up a mix of emotions for adoptees. Brenda and Sarah discuss practical tips and insights on creating a supportive holiday experience for adoptees.

Guided Learning:

Want to dive deeper? We've created a set of reflection questions based on this episode to help you process the information and apply it to your own life...

Description:
In this episode of Constellation Conversations, Sarah and Brenda explore the complex dynamics of open adoptions, focusing on the challenges of reunion and the critical importance of biological family connections. Brenda shares her personal experiences navigating open adoption and reaching out to biological family, while Sarah provides insights into the emotional and developmental impacts of these connections from b...

Description: In this episode, we explore the unique and often misunderstood trauma of adoption and its impact on identity. Sarah Harper, an adoptee and trauma therapist, shares her personal and professional insights on how adoption can shape one’s sense of self through narratives crafted by others. We discuss the existential loss adoptees experience, the challenges of reclaiming identity, and why listening to adoptee voices is esse...

In this debut episode, we introduce ourselves—Sarah Harper, a trauma therapist and adoptee, and Brenda Chapel, an adoptive parent in an open adoption—and share the inspiration behind launching Harper-Chapel: The Constellation of Adoption.

We explore how our personal experiences within the adoption constellation have shaped our perspectives and strengthened our mission to create a more compassionate and equitable world for adoptees. ...