Thriving Adoptees - Let's Thrive

So many of us felt like a fish out of water growing up. And feel more comfortable around people we share DNA with. Why is that? What is genetic validation? How can it help us feel more comfortable in our own skin? Adoptee and psychotherapist Elliott shares his insights to catalyse insights in us.

Elliott Driscoll (he/him) is a psychotherapist at The Resource Group, and has been practicing for more than 20 years in New York, New Jersey and Maryland. He works with clients ages 22 and older. He holds a Master’s of Science in Social Work from Columbia University and a Master’s in Business Administration from Loyola College. He specializes in treating individuals struggling with addiction, trauma, and depression. Elliott is Psychodynamically trained and uses aspects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Enhancement Therapy, and Logotherapy

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliott-driscoll-13434a7/

https://resourcegrp.org/

https://www.facebook.com/ResourceGroupMD

https://twitter.com/ResourceGroupMD

https://www.instagram.com/resourcegroupmd/

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Working so hard to counter shame and the belief that that we are inherently bad is exhausting.  Transracial and transcultural adoptee and licensed clinical social worker Rachel goes deep on leading ourselves out of this, transforming our relationship with the different parts and more. It's a particularly profound and empowering episode.

Here's a bit about Rachel from her website:

As a Korean American transracial and transcultural adoptee, I offer a unique lens to my therapeutic work and adoption advocacy. My therapeutic approach is holistic and mind-body incorporated, with an intention of increasing self-awareness and self-leadership. I offer individual therapy sessions, therapeutic group support for adult adoptees, educational trainings, and my professional perspective and experience in interviews, podcasts, public panels, discussions, and forums.

My practice is founded upon the belief that we are all human – meaning that it is natural to feel a multitude of emotions that are both unique to the individual, as well as interconnected with our relationships with others. I believe the path to healing and growth begins with connecting to one’s self and the leadership already within you.

rootandreturnwellness.com

https://www.facebook.com/rachelforbeslcsw/

https://www.instagram.com/rachelforbes.lcsw

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Transracial Adoptee Corissa suffered in the deep darkness of depression and addiction. She'd been asking herself who she was all her life. Listen in as she shares what she found out. We go deep and get clear on who we all are. I hope you love that clarity and freedom. 

Here's more about Corissa from her website:

WHO AM I?

I’ve been asking myself this question my entire life. I’m a Korean-born, adopted, American, mother, wife, entrepreneur, energy worker, storyteller, teacher, mystic, marketer, connector, curator, manifesting generator, ENFP, nature worshipper, and spiritual explorer.

When my mother was pregnant with me, she awoke from a dream of a giant shooting star falling to earth, and named me Byul Nim, the honorific form of the word ‘star’.

It’s my destiny to shine light in this world.

HOW DID IT ALL BEGIN?

Being given up for adoption at 3 years old and moved to the United States to be raised by a new family who didn’t look, sound, or act anything like what I knew created a deep sense of abandonment and uncertainty about my identity.

I adapted. I had to. And in the process locked all of my needs, hurts, and traumas away where they wouldn’t interfere with the success of my life. Other childhood traumas piled upon the already shaky foundation....

More at:

https://corissasaintlaurent.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/corissasaintlaurent/

https://www.youtube.com/@corissasaintlaurent

https://www.instagram.com/theeverydaymystic/

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Growing up in a hostile and toxic environment adds a dense layer of trauma to the trauma of being relinquished by our birth mother. We feel insecure and unstable. Adoptee and podcaster Mike shares what he's learning about solidifying his sense of self after having a terrible time with his adoptive parents. We dive deep into resilience and identity. Profound and tough.

Check out Mike's podcast at:

http://www.secretsonpod.com/

Visit his website at:

http://www.miketrupiano.com/

Connect with him on social media at:

https://www.facebook.com/themiketrupiano

https://www.instagram.com/themiketrupiano/

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Some say that when we see better, we do better. I think that seeing better helps us we feel better too. More comfortable in ourselves. More at peace with the world. So the next question pops up: what helps us see better? A broader perspective. The ability to see the wood from the trees. Listen in as transracial adoptee Lora shares what she's seen about broadening her perspective and how that's helped her feel more comfortable about being her.

Here's more about Lora from her website:

I was born in a small Korean village and adopted into the Northeastern part of the United States at the age of two.

From the age of four, I started talking about working in a creative field. I used to say “I’m an artist in search of a medium” and spent many years trying to discover how to best express myself. I was active in theatre (starting in 2nd grade), but it wasn’t until I first saw independent movies in my teens that I thought about working in the field. I saw the big screen as an enormous canvas on which my imagination could paint.

As I child, I was a voracious reader – I loved all types of fiction and literature – while television and games were virtually banned from my house. I attempted writing “novels” in my spare time and write my first “book” when I was eight. Since then I’ve published hundreds of articles in print and online media, and am honing my craft as a screenwriter, under the tutelage of a talented and prolific mentor.

To complement my filmmaking skill set, I’m technically inquisitive, and love exploring new technology. Learning about new software programs, cameras, and production techniques piques my curiosity. I work as a Senior Advisor (tech) and Mentor for Apple, and truly appreciate the opportunity to assist others learn about the exciting things tech has to offer.

I take a democratic approach to the way I direct, service and mentor others. Leading provides the ultimate opportunity to serve and mentor, and I am truly honored by any chance I have to nurture and develop other people.

Additionally, I am on a spiritual path and am training to become a Shaman. I am also a Reiki Master and seek to heal. 

Traveling has given me the opportunity to broaden my perspective, and I have visited multiple countries and had the privilege of meeting people from various cultures and walks of life. Other hobbies include cooking, crafts, animals, and entertaining.

Currently, I live in Los Angeles, CA. 

“There are two men inside the artist, the poet and the craftsman. One is born a poet. One becomes a craftsman.” — Emile Zola

https://www.amazon.com/Voices-Across-Sea-Adoption-Uniting-ebook/dp/B07W3JTSXB

https://twitter.com/LoraVKeleher

https://www.instagram.com/lorakeleher

http://lorakeleher.com/

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Coming out of the fog reveals our trauma. We become conscious of what was subconscious. But who we really are remains shrouded in mist. We just can't see it. Join Greg and I on the journey to seeing our essence. Depth reveals truths. You're going to love this if you want clarity on identity.

I found this excellent bio on Jennifer Dyan Ghoston's website for the Once Upon A Time  In Adoptee Land Podcast:

Greg Gentry is a domestic baby scoop era adoptee, born in California in 1969. He has been in reunion with maternal family members since 2006, and in 2021 also connected with his paternal side. Greg is a facilitator and interviewer for Fireside Adoptees, a private Facebook group founded in 2021, which is committed to additional outreach through its public Facebook page and through the Fireside Adoptees Constellation private Facebook group. Greg is also an administrator and facilitator within the Adoption Trauma Network and the host of Adoptees Connect out of Derry, New Hampshire. He enjoys connecting with others in the online adoptee community, and has found these interactions to be richly rewarding and supportive. 

Listen to Greg and Jennifer talking here https://www.onceuponatimeinadopteeland.com/episode/107-greg-gentry-fireside-adoptees

Connect with Greg here:

https://www.instagram.com/greggentry22

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070242835691

Join Fireside Adoptees here:

 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1411791922534076

Visit their public Page https://www.facebook.com/fireside.adoptees.and.allies

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

How do we grow? Become comfortable in ourselves? Feel whole? Listen in as transracial adoptee Sun Mee shares her personal growth story. She brings me back to clarity after I take us down a rabbit hole. Nice work Sun Mee, thank you! We bring the episode to close with an exercise you're going to want to join in on - but not if you're driving ok?

Here's a bit about Sun Mee 

Sun Mee is a Korean-German adoptee, certified Holistic Coach, and Founder of NUMARU— An international community platform and emotional wellbeing program for transracial/BIPOC adoptees. She was adopted at 3.5 yrs and raised in South Germany. NUMARU results from her journey of transforming her adoptee’s pain into purpose with a mission to create safe on and offline spaces and to offer fellow adoptees an open-hearted pathway to healing. Sun Mee’s multi-disciplinary approach weaves mindfulness practices with creative self-explorations, compassionate inquiry, and honest community connections—inviting to group circles, interactive workshops, 1:1 private support, and destination retreats.

Sun Mee works internationally with individuals, groups, and cultural organizations. Her story and project have been featured on media platforms in Europe, the US, and Australia—advocating for a more nuanced understanding of adoption, identity, and wellbeing. 

She is based in Berlin with her husband, enjoying a mindful lifestyle, cooking experiments, nature, traveling, and DIY crafts.

You can learn more about her story here and receive a free self-care guide via: www.numaru.space

Learn more about the NUMARU HEART SPACE Platform/App

https://numaru-adoptee-heart-space.mn.co

Connect with her via:

www.numaru.space

IG + FB: @numaru.truebelonging 

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/sunmeemartin

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Contact Michelle: [email protected] 

Make sure your book is on: http://adopteereading.com/

Check out podcasts you want to be a guest on: https://blog.feedspot.com/adoption_po...

 Check out that book I mentioned: https://www.amazon.co.uk/1001-Ways-Ma...

Here's the link to State Adoption Programme Managers https://www.childwelfare.gov/organiza...

You put your heart and soul into writing your book. 

Because you're passionate sharing your story. And helping and supporting your fellow adoptees. 

Wouldn't it be great if more people knew about your book? 

And bought it? 

Are you looking to speak at more online and in-person events for adoptees so you can make more impact? 

Michelle Vandepas is an adoptive mom who wants to support adoptee authors and speakers. 

She is also the best-selling author of three books, author coach to Brian Tracy and Jack Canfield clients and a TEDx speaker.

 She has also helped publish over 1,000 books. 

Michelle combines her book knowledge with marketing and business sense to help books sell. 

https://gracepointpublishing.com/

https://www.facebook.com/gracepointpublishing
 

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Keep going. Even when the search for your roots is like looking for a needle in a haystack. John shares profound insights from his journey with modesty and humility. We go deep on identity, tenacity and curiosity. Highly recommended.

John  was born in Mexico and raised in Arizona. He didn't start his search until he was 50.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100036393137797

https://www.johnsaintignon.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-saintignon-176a4332/

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

"When I was forty-five, I received a photograph of my birth mother in the mail—the first time I ever saw someone who looked like me. Seeing myself in another person’s face was a lightning bolt so powerful it divided my life into everything that happened before that moment from everything that happened after." Listen as Eric explains more and we discuss perspective, unconditional love and more...

 Eric had always wondered what it was like to have a visual bond with someone else: something that clearly marked you as members of the same family. Did it make you love each other more?

Here's link to the pics of him alongside his mother

https://familyresemblanceproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Cheryl-and-Eric2_1440.jpg

More links

https://familyresemblanceproject.com/

https://ericmuellerphotography.com/

https://twitter.com/emuellerphoto

https://www.instagram.com/ericmueller/

https://daylightbooks.org/products/family-resemblance-finding-yourself-in-others

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.