Adoption is not a once-off event. It is a significant and life-changing process for all concerned, which creates different tasks and challenges for all affected throughout their lifespan. Group settings are a great way for adoptive families to get support and guidance through the journey. Given the ignorance and stigma associated with adoption, it is really helpful to be talking to others who have first hand experience of being part of an adoptive family. A therapist who is knowledgeable about adoption and the specific challenges associated with adoption, is essential to guide the discussion and provide appropriate support.
I am passionate about the need for children to grow up in a family context and have been offering support groups for the adoptive community since 2008. At the moment I offer group to prospective adoptive parents, adoptive parents and adult and adolescent adoptees.
The groups run on Tuesday evenings 7:15 – 8:30 pm.
The cost per person per session is R450 and can be claimed from medical aid.
Adoptive Parents Support Groups 2026
The Cape Town Adoption Support (CTAS) Adoptive Parents Group offers support to adoptive parents – and those considering adoption – at various stages of the life cycle. In order to provide appropriately targeted support, we offer sessions focused on specific time frames, tasks and challenges.
Journeys in Adoptive Parenthood
Parenting adopted children requires expert parenting. It is essential for adoptive parents to develop their parenting skills and increase their awareness of the complexities of raising an adopted child, particularly a transracially adopted child. Group settings are an ideal way to share your parenting struggles, get support from others on the same path as you, and get expert advice from a therapist experienced in working with adoptive families and adoptees.
In this group we discuss particular challenges faced by adopted children. The group offers support to adoptive parents navigating these challenges. I provide adoptive parents with the needed information and skills to engage with particular parenting challenges.
Topics: What is discussed in the group is determined by the members, but we will follow the following themes this year.
- Listening to adoptees as a way of honing your parenting skills
- Impact of language and other cultural competencies on experiences of adoptees
- Thinking about the impact of race on transracial adoptive families
- Mother’s Day and Father’s Day: Can we hold more than one mother in mind? Father’s Day: Thinking about both present and absent fathers
- Parenting strategies for adoptive families: proving a sense of felt safety though appropriate boundaries
- Nurturing sibling relationships for the benefit of the adoptive family.
- Adoption trauma: is it real? How can we address it?
- Supporting your adopted child’s mental health
- Abandonment fears for adopted children: Best strategies to manage necessary separations from adoptive parents
- Parenting strategies for adoptive families: Listening to our children to enhance their sense of being seen.
Who: Current or past clients of Cape Town Adoption Support (adoptive families and those considering adoption)
When: Tuesday evenings 7:15 – 8:30pm
Cost: R450 per person per session, with a discount if more than one partner joins the session. Claimable from medical aid, depending on your benefits.
Where: Online on Zoom
How to register: Register here to join each session you want to attend. Once you have registered, you will receive an email confirming your registration with the information needed to join the session.
Adoptee Circle Support Groups
The Adoptee Circle Support Group is a slow open group for adult and adolescent adoptees. This is a space for adoptees to explore difficulties related to their adoption. It’s an opportunity for adoptees to discuss these complicated issues with other adoptees who really understand what they are going through.
We work on ways to improve authentic relationships with all members of their family, adopted and biological. We prepare to deal with inappropriate questions. We discuss managing friends, dating and exploring where adoptees “belong”. We also look at late-disclosure adoptions, transracial adoption, and open adoption.
Who: Current or past clients of Cape Town Adoption Support (adolescent and adult adoptees)
When: Tuesday evenings 7:15 – 8:30pm
Cost: R450 per person per session, with a discount if more than one partner joins the session. Claimable from medical aid, depending on your benefits.
Where: Online on Zoom
How to register: You need to register to join each session you want to attend using this link.
Once you have registered, you will receive an email confirming your registration with the information needed to join the session.
CONTACT US
Newlands Therapy Centre
25a Cedar Road, Newlands
CAPE TOWN