Are you ready for the unexpected? Dive into the world of adoptee-centered approaches with Cameron Lee Small, a licensed clinical counselor and transracial adoptee. Get ready to be moved as we unravel the layers of grief, loss, and empowerment in the adoptee journey. But that's not all—there's an exclusive deeper conversation waiting for you. Join us in the Difference Maker community to explore how you can be part of making a difference. It's a special place, and we'd love to have you there. So, get ready to join the conversation and make a difference together. Are you in?

In this episode, you will be able to:

My special guest is Cameron Lee Small

Meet Cameron Lee Small, a licensed clinical counselor, transracial adoptee, and mental health advocate based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Having been born in South Korea and adopted into a family in the United States, Cameron brings a wealth of personal and professional experience to the adoption landscape. With a background in psychology and counseling psychology, he has channeled his insights into authoring a memoir, "This is Why I Was Adopted," which serves as an interactive workbook for adoptees and families. Cameron's expertise extends to delivering adoption-informed essays, public speaking, and training sessions on adoptee-centered approaches. His work delves deep into the mental health needs of adoptees and their families, offering a compassionate and informed perspective that resonates with those navigating the complexities of adoption. His private practice, Therapy Redeemed, specializes in the mental health needs of adoptees and their families wherever they may be in their own adoption journey.

His newly released book is The Adoptee's Journey: From Loss and Trauma to Healing and Empowerment.

The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:02 - Introduction and Sponsorship by Betterhelp (10% off your first month of therapy)

00:01:42 - Cameron's Personal Journey as an Adoptee

00:02:32 - Cameron's Newly-Releasing Book

00:09:41 - Navigating Difficult Conversations About Adoption and Race

00:14:47 - Supporting Adoptees in Navigating Identity and Attachment

00:16:10 - The Impact of Adoption on Identity Development

00:18:09 - Challenges of International Adoption Narratives

00:21:25 - Connecting with Birth Culture

00:25:54 - Support and Empowerment in Adoption

00:27:41 - Understanding the Impact of Adoption

00:31:31 - Exploring Identity and Ambiguous Loss

00:33:13 - Reconnecting with Birth Family

00:36:40 - Ongoing Journey of Reunion and Adoption

00:38:41 - Unresolved Grief and Parenting Strategies

00:46:19 - Supporting Adoptees Throughout Life

00:47:09 - Gratitude for the Guest

00:47:56 - Understanding Grief in Adoption

00:48:54 - Centering the Adoptee's Experience

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