Adoption Counselling is counselling to specifically discuss adoption issues. You may:

• have been adopted
• be considering adoption
• be going through the adoption process
• be a parent who has adopted
• be affected by adoption in another way

If you have been adopted, you may find it beneficial to explore your feelings about this with a specialist Counsellor. You may feel it is difficult to do this with your family, as you may worry that they would be upset.

If you are considering adoption, or are going through the process, there are many complexities to explore, and you may find it helpful to have the support of a specialist Counsellor.

If you have adopted a child or children (nomatter if they are still kids or not), you may feel it would be helpful to work through any difficulties with a specialist Counsellor, who understands what you have been through to get to where you are.

In the UK there are rules about who is permitted to provide Adoption Counselling. These rules differ by country.

In Scotland, the BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy) suggest that their members have appropriate experience, and, seek permission from their local council.

Alison Barr (Director of The Green Rooms) has been granted permission by East Renfrewshire Council to offer Adoption Counselling.

You do not have to reside in East Renfrewshire for Alison to work with you.

Please note Alison works with people aged 16 and over.

Free Adoption Counselling via Local Council

If you are adopting via a Scottish Council, they may be able to offer you a referal to Barnardos for free Adoption Counselling.

Adoption Counselling can be accessed by individuals or couples.

Which is right for you will depend on your personal circumstances.

If you wish to explore the feelings around your own adoption, it is usual to attend individually. However, there may be times when attending with your sibling/partner/parent is helpful.

If you are considering adoption, are in the process of adoption,or have adopted, you could attend as an individual, or, as a couple. There is no right or wrong way.

Some adopters are not part of a couple. Some are and still may wish to attend alone.

Alison Barr (Director of The Green Rooms) is the only practitioner who offers Adoption Counselling.

Alison has a Masters Degree, 2005 (and also a Post Graduate Diploma, 2003) of Counselling and Psychotherapy from the University of Strathclyde.

Alison has been working full time as a Counsellor and Psychotherapist since 2003.

Alison has specialist experience with adoption, and also with fertility.

Alison is a ‘Counselling Supervisor’, which means that she has an advanced qualification and supports other Counsellors and Psychotherapists with their clients.

The number of sessions needed is unique to each client and will depend on your goals, how you use your time between sessions and how much support you have out-with therapy.

Even with limited time or finances, realistic goals can still be achieved.