Encompass Adoptees’ youth program combines elements of a support group with mentoring. The core program is from 11 am- 2 pm, plus an add on hour is available before the core program to encourage time for parents to have time for a date with their partner or have some additional self-care time. This means you can choose the drop off time that best suits your family. For our Core program, Block 1 is intended to be more quiet, creative, conversational, and reflective. During Bock 3, planned fun and creative activity will be available, but youth are also able to choose from other activities as well such as playing a game with a mentor and or other youth. Additionally, a mentor is always available to spend time with a youth who is either having a rough day and/or does not prefer the planned activities listed below. Activities are purposefully selected to align with our goals, but never required. Please see our youth program page, or contact us directly for more information.

This week:

10-11- Add on Hour: Trauma-Informed Yoga & mindfulness activities -with Meredith Thorn (EMBER certified) & Rachel Dumke

Core:

11-12:15- Block 1: Special Art- technique & exploration class- Learn to paint fall trees- acrylics on canvas, with Ashley Miller & Heather Gonzales King

12:15- 1- Block 2: Lunch (kids & mentors bring a packed meal- (microwave available, refrigerator available for special diets)

1- 2- Block 3: - Art & Discussion- Self Affirmation / Self Gratitude Mobiles with Lynne Rachelle and Heather Gonzales King- the names we make on Nov 9th will be attached to these

2pm Final pick up

Adult Adoptees & Mentors participating throughout today: Matt Burke, Luara Beale, Heather Gonzales King, Emily Wagoner

LEARN ABOUT PROGRAM

LEARN ABOUT MENTORS

REGISTER

-Please note- activities offered change each week-

Orientation for new volunteers for our youth program is done quarterly, and is required before volunteer hours can begin. Back ground check are done at orientation, which cost $20 this year. Encompass hopes to have the resources to reduce this fee in future.

Registration is required. Please contact us with your intent to come, and set up a time for a personal interview with our Director or Volunteer coordinator before hand. A Volunteer handbook, and a volunteer information form will be emailed to you once you register. Please read this and fill out the form before orientation and come with any questions. Volunteers are asked to sign that this has been read and that you agree to its terms and procedures.

This workshop is structured for adult adoptees who feel both interested in and prepared for exploring their understanding of how adoption trauma affects their interpersonal relationships, attachment system, intimacy inside of partnerships, and daily functioning. This workshop combines both psychoeducational components and therapeutic techniques to help adult adoptees deepen their understanding of their own internal and external attachment experience.
Cost: $45, students $40
Nov 16th
Held from 9:30- 11:30 am

All attendees are invited out to lunch afterward- We will choose a relatively nearby restaurant to go to.

Registration Required- Send Check to Encompass Adoptees at 122 S. Terrace Ave, Columbus OH 43204


Kristen Santel, MSW, LISW-S
Kristen is a Licensed Independent Social Worker Supervisor (LISW-S) through the State of Ohio Counselor and Social Worker Board. She is a Level II EMDR Psychotherapist with Advanced and Master Class Training in Attachment and Somatic Psychotherapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), certified hypnotherapist with American Society of Clinical Hypnotherapy, and a Certified Trauma Practitioner with the National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children, as well as being trained in TF-CBT, CISM, and several other therapeutic modalities focusing on somatic psychotherapy and attachment. She uses a collaborative, integrative approach informed by Ego State and Internal Family Systems Therapy with clients to help them feel well supported and educated.

Kristen specializes in working with children, teens and adults suffering with complex trauma, PTSD, dissociative disorders, traumatic grief, relationship difficulties, and attachment issues. She also has much experience working with military, first responders and recent event traumas. Kristen is an adoptee and has a specialization in working with the adoption and foster community, adoptee/foster related challenges, and reparative attachment in both childhood and adulthood.
Kristen is the Clinical Director of Camp Lionheart, a free, week-long overnight summer camp for grieving children here in Central Ohio in the Hocking Hills. and presents psychoeducation at many conferences and symposiums.

This is a casual discussion group meant to support adoptive and fostering parents and to build relationships between parents and their adopted children of all ages through community, conversation, and educational materials. This group offers a safe place to share and ask questions openly and honestly about relinquishment and adoption related issues.

This is co facilitated by Julie Richards, a trauma therapist and parent of both adopted and birth children; and by Heather Gonzales King, an adult adoptee who is in graduate school studying art therapy and counseling. Both are committed to increasing their understanding through the insight and perspective of other triad members. Each month we discuss a chapter in a book or a podcast. We do this in an attempt to cover a variety of related topics, to increase our knowledge and awareness of the information that is out there, and maximize our resources for future.

There is No requirement to come to all discussions, or to have read the chapter beforehand, so please join us and feel free to choose the chapter topics that interest you!
We had a great time reading the Primal Wound together and are looking forward to starting a new book - Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew by Sherrie Eldridge.

This month we will discuss Chapter 11 & 12

Meets every 2nd Thursday of the month- check calendar to confirm especially around holidays
Free parking lot on side of the building or on the street

Encompass Adoptees youth program combines elements of a support group with mentoring. The core program is from 11 am- 2pm, plus an add on hour is available before the core program to encourage time for parents to have time for a date with their partner or have some additional self care time. This means you can choose the drop off time that best suites your family. For our Core program, Block 1 is intended to be more quiet, creative, conversational, and reflective. During Bock 3, a planned fun and creative activity will be available, but youth are also able to choose from other activities as well such as playing a game with a mentor and or other youth. Additionally a mentor is always available to spend time with a youth who is either having a rough day and/or does not prefer the planned activities listed below. Activities are purposefully selected to align with our goals, but never required. Please see our youth program page, or contact us directly for more information.

This week:

10-11- Add on Hour: Trauma Informed Yoga & mindfulness activities -with Meredith Thorn (EMBER certified) & Rachel Dumke

Core:

11-12:15- Block 1: Art & Discussion- Honoring and Celebrating our names activity with Michelle Hensley & Heather Gonzales King- (part of this project can be created as part of the Nov 23rd project for returning youth)

12:15- 1- Block 2: Lunch (kids & mentors bring packed meal- (microwave available, refrigerator available for special diets)

1- 2- Block 3: Specials- American Sign Language with Elizabeth Clegg & Clare Pruitt, or board games with mentors

2pm- Final pick up

Adult Adoptees & Mentors participating throughout today: Matt Burke, Michelle Hensley, Heather Gonzales King, Clare Pruitt

LEARN ABOUT PROGRAM

LEARN ABOUT MENTORS

REGISTER

-Please note- activities offered change each week-

These meetings are designed for adult adoptees, facilitated by adult adoptees, to support one another and offer a safe place to share, discuss, and gain words for better understanding &/or expressing our adoption experiences.

Each week we will discuss topics from the book Adoption Therapy, which is an anthology written by 13 adult adoptees, 7 individuals with mental health degrees, and 3 adoptive parents. Time is given for individual sharing, but no one is required to do so- We encourage each person to participate, or just listen, however they wish.

We will discuss Chapter 9 of the book Adoption Therapy, on Late Discovery Adoptees

Meeting held at the Whydah Room- 122 S Terrace Ave, Columbus

Parking is available on the street and along the side of the building.