In this powerful and deeply insightful episode of From Foster to Forever, I sit down with child therapist and author Stacy Schaffer to explore what foster and adoptive parents really need to understand about childhood trauma, attachment, and healing.

Stacy specializes in play therapy, a transformative approach that helps children express emotions they don’t yet have the words for. Through tools like sand tray therapy, somatic release, and creative expression, she offers a window into how children process grief, loss, and complex family dynamics.

Together, we dive into the realities that many foster and adoptive families face—but don’t always talk about openly.

This conversation is both validating and eye-opening, offering practical tools and emotional reassurance for parents navigating the beautiful and challenging journey of raising children from hard places.

💡 In This Episode, We Discuss:

1. What play therapy is and why it works for children
2. How kids communicate trauma through play, not words
3. Why building trust slowly is essential in therapy
4. The truth about confidentiality between therapist, child, and parent
5. How to find the right therapist (especially with Medicaid barriers)
6. What generational trauma is—and how to begin healing it
7. Why it’s critical to honor a child’s grief, even in a loving home
8. How to support kids through birth family visits and emotional dysregulation
9. The role of somatic (body-based) healing—including physical release tools
10. Why foster and adoptive parents must prioritize their own support

❤️ A Powerful Reminder for Parents

Stacy shares a truth many parents need to hear:

“It’s amazing and beautiful—and also exhausting. You can feel both.”

Supporting your child starts with supporting yourself.

📘 About Stacy Schaeffer

Stacy Schaeffer is a child therapist specializing in grief and trauma, as well as the author of

“With Love from a Children’s Therapist.”

Her work blends clinical expertise with lived experience, offering both guidance and compassion to families navigating complex emotional landscapes.

🌐 Website: https://stacyschaeffer.com

📱 Instagram: @hope_restored

🌱 About This Podcast

From Foster to Forever shares honest, hopeful stories of families formed through foster care and adoption—highlighting resilience, healing, and the beauty of nontraditional paths to parenthood.

🎧 New episodes weekly

🌐 Visit: https://fromfoster2forever.com

📱 Instagram: @foster2foreverpodcast

🔖 If This Episode Spoke to You…

Please follow, rate, and share with someone who needs encouragement on their foster or adoptive parenting journey.

Mentioned in this episode:

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