In this episode of the Adoption Roadmap Rebecca Gruenspan interviews Laurie Shelton, a seasoned adoption specialist with over 26 years of experience guiding birth parents through the adoption process. Rebecca and Laurie discuss the significant changes in the adoption landscape, including the shift from closed to open adoptions, rising adoption costs, and the increased awareness of scams. Laurie reflects on the emotional complexities of adoption, emphasizing the importance of ethical practices, support for birth parents, and trust in the process. Additionally, she opens up about her personal experience with burnout, the emotional toll of the work, and her journey back to adoption after a brief departure. Laurie is now part of PairTree, where she continues her passion for making positive change in the adoption industry. The episode highlights her dedication to supporting birth parents, her belief in adoption reform, and her commitment to ethical practices in the field.

Important Links

Laurie Shelton - Modern Adoption Advocate  

Maybe You Should Talk To Someone by Lori Gottlieb

Modern Adoption with Jess and Erin

Ashley Mitchell and The Lifetime Healing Foundation

https://pairtreefamily.com/

RG Adoption Consulting⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠The Adoption Roadmap

Chapters

02:20 The Evolution of Adoption Practices

04:40 The Shift from Closed to Open Adoption

08:31 Understanding the Impact of Scams in Adoption

12:00 Lessons from Personal Stories in Adoption

20:41 Ethics and Reflection in Adoption Practices

32:50 Navigating Conversations with Expectant Mothers

37:01 The Process of Options Counseling

42:02 Experiencing Burnout in Adoption Work

52:36 Finding Your Dream Job in Adoption

56:22 Challenges for Birth Families and Hopeful Parents

58:25 The Philosophy of Transformation in Adoption

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For questions about adoption, episode suggestions or to appear as a guest on The Adoption Roadmap Podcast, email

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