Host @loriadams-brown recently had an enlightening chat with Cameron Lee Small, a licensed counselor, adoptee advocate, and author of the insightful new book "The Adoptee's Journey." In his memoir-meets-self-help guide, Cameron vulnerably shares his personal story as an international adoptee from South Korea who was adopted into a white American family. He explores the complex feelings of grief, loss, and wrestling with identity that many adoptees face, even within loving adoptive homes. Cameron has such empathy, wisdom and practical advice for adoptees struggling to understand their journeys. He also offers thoughtful perspective for adoptive parents seeking to better support their children. Some key takeaways: - Adoptees often silently carry a profound sense of loss along with gratitude - Identity development is a lifelong process with many layers - Providing age-appropriate education about adoption is so important - There are tangible ways adoptive parents can empower adoptee identity I was moved by Cameron's heart to bring more voices to the table in this nuanced conversation. His book is a truly invaluable resource. I'd love to hear your thoughts if you read it! Now excuse me while I grab some tissues... Just listening to Cameron had me feeling ALL the feels! 😭🤗
In this episode, you will be able to:
Understand how to navigate grief and loss in adoption, supporting your child through their emotional journey.
Explore the impact of transracial adoption on identity, helping your child embrace their cultural heritage.
Learn about mental health support for adoptees, equipping yourself to provide the best care for your child's well-being.
Discover adoptee-centered approaches, fostering a deeper connection with your child and their unique needs.
Build empathy in adoptive families, creating a supportive environment for your child's identity journey.
Meet Cameron Lee Small, a licensed clinical counselor, transracial adoptee, and mental health advocate based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Having been born in South Korea and adopted into a family in the United States, Cameron brings a wealth of personal and professional experience to the adoption landscape. With a background in psychology and counseling psychology, he has channeled his insights into authoring a memoir, "This is Why I Was Adopted," which serves as an interactive workbook for adoptees and families. Cameron's expertise extends to delivering adoption-informed essays, public speaking, and training sessions on adoptee-centered approaches. His work delves deep into the mental health needs of adoptees and their families, offering a compassionate and informed perspective that resonates with those navigating the complexities of adoption.
The key moments in this episode are:
00:01:42 - Cameron's Personal Journey as an Adoptee
00:02:32 - Cameron's Newly-Releasing Book
00:09:41 - Navigating Difficult Conversations About Adoption and Race
00:14:47 - Supporting Adoptees in Navigating Identity and Attachment
00:16:10 - The Impact of Adoption on Identity Development
00:18:09 - Challenges of International Adoption Narratives
00:21:25 - Connecting with Birth Culture
00:25:54 - Support and Empowerment in Adoption
00:27:41 - Understanding the Impact of Adoption
00:31:31 - Exploring Identity and Ambiguous Loss
00:33:13 - Reconnecting with Birth Family
00:36:40 - Ongoing Journey of Reunion and Adoption
00:38:41 - Unresolved Grief and Parenting Strategies
00:46:19 - Supporting Adoptees Throughout Life
00:47:09 - Gratitude for the Guest
00:47:56 - Understanding Grief in Adoption
00:48:54 - Centering the Adoptee's Experience
00:49:46 - The Importance of Cameron's Work
00:51:14 - Joining the Difference Maker Community
The resources mentioned in this episode are:
Join the Difference Maker community at www.patreon.com/aworldofdifference to access exclusive content, including deeper conversations with guests and other special episodes for as little as $5 a month.
Pick up Cameron Lee Small's book, The Adoptee's Journey from Loss and Trauma to Healing and Empowerment, to gain a deeper understanding of the adoptee experience and how to center their needs in the adoption journey.
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