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Relinquishment & Relationships - Adoption Issues Online Speaker Series

  • Encompass Adoptees 122 South Terrace Avenue, Unit 1 Columbus, OH, 43204 United States (map)

Relinquishment & Relationships

by Carissa Woodwyk MFT, Adult Adoptee Therapist

Encompass Adoptees Adoption Issues Online Speaker Series

Presentation Description:

Those who have been adopted have experienced the loss of significant attachment figures AND the gain of new attachment figures. We want to love and receive love and feel loved, but it’s super tricky when those who are “supposed to” love you, leave you. We can easily find ourselves playing games, playing roles, protecting ourselves - from ourselves, from others. Relationships can feel risky when your story started with distorted messages. We want to feel close and connected, but our brains and bodies and hearts don’t always know how, don’t always believe that we’re lovable and capable and worthy of love. In this webinar, you’ll learn about the relational barriers adopted persons hold, and what we each can do to soften and strengthen and open what’s inside us and between us as we practice building meaningful relationships together.

This presentation is designed for participants of ALL skill/familiarity levels (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced).

Presenter Bio:

Carissa Woodwyk (she/her) is a Korean-born, mid-west living, pastor’s kid, onion farmer’s wife and recovering good girl. She steps into (or leaps into) a few roles that help her expand the west Michigan culture that surrounds her: 

  • licensed counselor/marriage and family therapist

  • clinical supervisor for counselors/marriage and family therapists

  • co-chair of her local school district’s diversity + advocacy committee

  • committee member of her school district’s sex education advisory board

  • writer and speaker for the human heart

  • mom of a tech-filled, 21st century 10th grade daughter and 7th grade son

  • partner to her enneagram opposite and safe place

  • gatherer of people, laughter and joy

  • student to the ways life makes her both stronger and more tender

Cost:

$15 Reduced Rate Due to partial funding given by Ohio Kinect/ KAN

This Program is sponsored by funding from Ohio Kinnect.