Welcome to part 2 of the Family Twist podcast season 4 premiere! In this episode, we’re thrilled to continue our conversation with Jeanette Yoffe, a therapist and an adoptee, who bravely shares her personal journey through adoption, reunion, and healing. Her story is a powerful exploration of the complex emotions and dynamics involved in adoption, and her professional insights as a therapist add a profound depth to our understanding.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone touched by adoption or interested in the nuances of family relationships.

Episode Highlights:

Jeanette’s Reunion with Her Birth Father: Her emotional account of seeking out and eventually meeting her birth father, and the complexities of their interaction.

Dealing with Rejection and Grief: How Jeanette copes with the ongoing non-communication from her birth father and what this teaches her about self-validation and dealing with rejection.

Creating Celia Center: Jeanette discusses founding an organization named after her birth mother, focusing on creating a supportive community for adoptees.

Understanding Adoption Trauma: Insights into the core vulnerabilities in adoption, including loss, rejection, shame, and identity struggles for all parties involved.

Advocating for Mental Health: Jeanette emphasizes the importance of mental health treatment and coping strategies for adoptees and birth parents.

Reuniting with Siblings: The story of how Jeanette reconnected with her brother and the emotional impact of this reunion.

Adoption Practices and Policies: Discussion on the need for better adoption practices, including open adoptions and support for birth parents.

Resources Mentioned:

• Celia Center (Organization supporting adoptees and birth parents)
• “The Archaeology of You” (Jeanette's self-led mental health course)
• Celia Center Blog (Articles on adoption, mental health, and reunion preparation)

Closing Thoughts: Jeanette’s journey is a vivid reminder of the enduring impact of adoption on personal identity, family dynamics and emotional well-being. Her courage in sharing her story and her dedication to helping others through similar experiences is truly inspiring. If this episode moved you, please remember to rate, follow and review the Family Twist podcast. Your engagement helps us continue to bring meaningful and transformative stories to our listeners.

Guest Bio:

Jeanette Yoffe, M.A., M.F.T. earned her Master's in Clinical Psychology, specializing in adoption and foster care, from Antioch University in June of 2002. She treats children, teens, and adults with serious psychological problems secondary to histories of abuse, neglect, adoption, and /or multiple foster care placements. She has specialized for the past 20 years in the treatment of children and teens who manifest serious deficits in their emotional, cognitive, and behavioral development.

She is the Founder of Celia Center Inc, a non-profit organization in Los Angeles supporting all members of the foster care and adoption constellation which includes birth parents, foster youth, adoptees, foster and adoptive parents as well as professionals working in the field.

She is also the Clinical Director of Yoffe Therapy Inc. A mental health center in Los Angeles provides services to families, children, teens, and adults connected by foster care and adoption. Learn more here.

​Jeanette’s desire to become a therapist with a special focus on adoption and foster care issues derived from her own experience of being adopted and moving through the foster care system. Her personal experience has informed her education and provided insight into the unique stresses involved with these issues. 

She is also Court Appointed Reunification Expert for Los Angeles Superior Court in cases involving children at risk for separation.

Guest Resources:

Celia Center Free Support Groups

Roadmap to Reunion 8 Pacts Article 

Why Won’t My First Mother Meet me - A First Mother Shares

Guest Links:

Website

YouTube Channel

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