Finding a Support Group

by Nicole Humphrey | More from this Blogger

01 Aug 2006 12:11 PM

Finding a support group is an extremely valuable tool during your search and subsequent reunion, if it gets that far. Not only are these individuals capable of providing emotional support, they can often turn you in the right direction when you feel as if you are backed in a corner.

Hundreds of thousands of dedicated people have formed a network of search and support groups worldwide, and they are there and available for your participation. You just have to find one. That can be the tricky part.

I recommend contacting groups in both your local city and the state that you will be searching in. The beauty is, that you are left with many choices in those regards. There are support groups for individual triad members as well as those designed for all touched by adoption. Most do have annual memberships, though not all. Membership fee's seem to range from about $15.00-$60.00 for the most part, but are well worth the money!

Before you settle on any one group, you may wish to contact The American Adoption Congress. They will provide you with information on that support group and tell you anything about the reputation.

You can contact The American Adoption Congress on their website, or by calling: 1-202-483-3399 or writing to: PO Box 42730, Washington, DC 20015.

After carefully researching other websites that targeted search and support groups, and being faced with loads of outdated information, I found the NACAC Support Group Search Page to be the best at helping to locate a support group near you, targeted to your specific needs. Visit it here.

And even after you've joined your local support groups, you might long for even more support. Don't overlook the online resources available. There are mailing lists dedicated to ever facet of adoption imaginable. Do a search for whatever you are looking for, and you are sure to find a group that's right for you.

No matter what you do, it's important to have support during this time. Please at least consider looking for it.

Learn more about Nicole Humphrey

Nicole Humphrey is a freelance writer, consultant for CTMH and a Sr. Blogger for families.com. She resides in St. Charles, Missouri with Mike and their five children and two furbabies.

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Jody Moreen (3274) 11 Aug 2006 03:17 PM

I can echoe the suggestion of this post- to find an adoption support group during your search for birth family and reunion. I have attended adoption support groups for over 15 years and facilitated groups for the adoption triad - adoptees, birth parents and adoptive parents. And YES, you must check the group out - call and talk to the leader/facilitator- and attend a meeting. Not all groups are the same and some have a little bit different focus or emphasis. Some emphasize emotional support, others spend more time in adoption search and reunion resources, suggestions. Some can be very balanced groups sharing the joys and challenges in adoption and others can be more militant. Be careful that you do not embrace a group that becomes mainly a venting place and full of negativity. There is truly a significant place in adoption support groups to allow persons to share their emotional feelings about adoption without judgement. But a good leader will strive to shed a balanced and healthy perspective on adoption- permitting the true sharing of feelings- but not allow bashing of adoption, nor discrimination of certains parties in adoption or adoption agencies. We truly do not live in a just society and their are problems to be found and they need to be shared in balance. I always believe that it is best to become a part of solutions and not one to add to societies problems. Support groups that are healthy allow members to share their joys and challenges in adoption, and help members find emotional support, hope and healing through sharing, education and fellowship with others touched by adoption. Blessings, Jody Moreen Facilitator, Adoptees, Birth Parents & Adoptive Parents Together- Meets monthly every 3rd Thursday in Wheaton IL, near Chicago