Leslie Pate Mackinnon is a therapist who specialized in issues that impact families conceived thought adoption and third party reproduction. For three decades she’s been sharing her expertise on these topics at conferences and events across the country and around the world. Her lived experience is that of a first mother who relinquished two sons for adoption the mid 1960’s and a quarter of a century later, gave birth and raised IVF twins. Her experiences in both, and her extensive academic training, have given Leslie a unique perspective into alternate methods of building a family. The tremendous losses inherent in adoption and 3rd party reproduction, are seldom, if ever, addressed ahead of time with families, which sets them up for irreparable damage and dysfunction. Leslie’s passion is educating therapists. She offers on-line supervision in Adoption Competency.
 Her story is included in the book The Girls Who Went Away and the documentary A Girl Like Her. Leslie was interviewed by Robin Roberts on Good Morning America, featured in Dan Rather’s report; Adoption or Abduction and appeared on the Katie Couric Show along along with her oldest son. She has appeared on CNN and is a consultant to those being reunited on TLC’s Long Lost Family.  Leslie is licensed in the state of Georgia.

This episode is overflowing with truth, heartache and hope. Leslie does not shy away from answering and asking the hard questions. It was a gift to hear her perspective and gain a deeper understanding of the collateral damage relinquishment can bring. 


Some of the content in this episode covers topics such as suicide & sexual abuse. 

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