Starfish Family Connections, LLC

Interactive Session

I presented on Attachment at the CAFAF conference yesterday and today and if I could say so it was a true success.

I was grossly underprepared. Lol. I didn’t realize there was going to be over 200 people in attendance. I presented to about 75 in the two days. (Y=50 people, T=25).

Multiple sessions done between the two days. People came to my session yesterday and said I saw you were on the roaster and had to get in your training. I didn’t know them some of them.

Today I saw one of my surveys and they gave me all 5’s and in the extra comment section they wrote….. Best session I’ve been to thus far. 🥹🥹🥹🥹 Someone else today said I was told I needed to take your session because you are amazing.

I’m so humbled by this experience and am excited about next year. Also know I need much more supplies and giveaways.

Starfish was built upon the primary focus on helping youth negotiate the, often difficult tasks of growing up. In particular, foster care and adoptive homes and how to improve overall communication, build more adaptive structures, and develop appropriate expectations.

Can you love and support a kiddo through these challenges of life and the added challenges that can come with Foster and Adoption? Let Starfish assist you in that process.

First step call 1-888-Kid-Hero for informational class.

Starfish Family Connections, LLC
203-440-7798
[email protected]

starfishfamilyconnections.com

Looking for some free activities for the kids this winter season?
Read More: https://www.ctvisit.com/articles/winter-fun-connecticut-kids

Day 4:

Day 3:

Day 2

I currently have Morning and midday openings.

I am an adoption competent clinician at Starfish Family Connections, LLC. My primary focus has been on helping youth navigate the, often difficult tasks of growing up, how to improve overall communication, build more adaptive structures, and develop appropriate expectations. I accept Husky, Optum, Aetna, or self pay. I provide In-Office in Cheshire, In-Home in Meriden, or Telehealth.

Juliette Cole, LPC
416 Highland Ave
Bldg B
Cheshire, CT 06410

203-440-7798 Phone
475-775-5015 Fax

[email protected]

https://starfishfamilyconnections.clientsecure.me

https://www.facebook.com/starfamconnect/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/709842

Starfish Family Connections, LLC I am an adoption component clinician at Starfish Family Connections, LLC.

Happy Kwanza.

Each day of Kwanza represents a different meaning. Today is Day 1= Unity.

Starfish Family Connections wants to send a very Merry Christmas blessing to all.

Some are “In” the spirit and some are not. Whichever one you are just do your best to be a space of peace, understanding, and acceptance for yourself and others in this season. 🩵

We at Starfish would like to wish all of you a Very Happy Thanksgiving. We are so very grateful for your space in our lives. 🩵

Today, Saturday November 18, 2023 is National Adoption Day. Starfish is celebrating all the beauties and blemishes of Adoption.

🤍🖤❤️

Congratulations to all the families able to have made it to this milestone today.

CT National Adoption Day 2023!

Some amazing books for kids and families who have experienced adoption.

Permanency…. the state or quality of lasting or remaining unchanged.

Permanency is not only about the physical place they belong. It also means the emotional safety and security they feel within a person, place, or family. With permanence ones safety, security, and structure is also assessed.

Just because a kiddo is adopted doesn’t mean they have obtained permanence. How do you help your kiddos achieve permanence?

What’s your level of openness in adoption? Tell me what your initial response is and then if willing take this quiz and share your results. Let’s have an open dialogue today! 💜💙💚🩵🧡🩶🩷

Adoption Openness Assessment - Amara What does this mean for adoption? We define openness as the spirit in which you enter into your relationship with your child where you strive to be emotionally present as they process their adoptedness.

The fabulous team over at Adoption Assistance program is hosting a wonderful training opportunity.

When speaking to a member of the adoption network let’s use positive adoption language. Use of language in all conversations is important. How would you feel if someone diminishes your role in your job, family, community, or where ever you have an important role.

“Real Parent”
- Birth Parent, Biological Parent, First Parent, Woman who gave birth to….

“Own/Real Child”
- Child by Birth, Biological Child, Adoptee, Adopted Person

“Unwanted Child”
- Child placed for adopted

“Give up/Give away/Taken from”
- Made an adoption plan, Unable to parent, Parents rights were legally terminated

Look at those Stats….

Developmental Trauma is significantly impacting our children! 💚🧡🩶

What is Ambiguous loss?

Ambiguous loss is a loss that occurs without a significant likelihood of reaching emotional closure or a clear understanding. This kind of loss leaves a person searching for answers, and thus complicates and delays the process of grieving, and often results in unresolved grief.-Wikipedia

Ways to help a member of the Adoption network with Ambiguous loss

- Acknowledge the pain and loss
- Speak from A space that has experienced pain and loss with the knowledge of A space that healed
- Understand that Ambiguous loss can have reoccurrences on anniversaries or special days
- Encourage seeking therapy if needed

We are here to assist with this process.

Juliette Cole, LPC
203-440-7798 Phone
475-775-5015 Fax

[email protected]
https://starfishfamilyconnections.clientsecure.me
https://www.facebook.com/starfamconnect/

Starfish Family Connections, LLC I am an adoption component clinician at Starfish Family Connections, LLC.

What is an Adoption Network? Who’s apart of an Adoption Network? All networks are different so it can difficult to pinpoint exactly who is a part of each person’s. However, an Adoption Network is the people that are in your support group that assist the kiddo with becoming an amazing person.

Adopted Parents
Biological Parents
Adopted extended family
Biological extended family
Doctors
Co-workers
Neighbors
Friends
Therapist
Teachers
Before/After School workers
Community programs

Raising a kiddo takes a village of love and support. Who’s a part of your village?

When you think about Adoption what’s the first few things that come to your mind?

Joy, Family, Safety, Love….. Let talk about Disenfranchised Grief.

Disenfranchised grief is the grief as a society we don’t talk about that comes with adoption. The pain. The loss. The struggle of loyalty and love to biological family while loving and wanting acceptance from adoptive family. This grief can come up immediately after being placed with adoptive family, years after, or on anniversaries for the kiddo/biological and adoptive family such as removal, Birthday, adoption day, day they witnessed a trauma.

Ongoing support and understanding is so important when talking to a person of the adoption network.

November is National Adoption Month. Starfish was created to support families built through adoption. While understanding the inherent grief and loss that surrounds adoption as well.

How have you been impacted by adoption? Share your story below (if willing)!

I currently have Morning and midday openings.

I am an adoption competent clinician at Starfish Family Connections, LLC. My primary focus has been on helping youth navigate the, often difficult tasks of growing up, how to improve overall communication, build more adaptive structures, and develop appropriate expectations. I accept Husky, Optum, Aetna, or self pay. I provide In-Office in Cheshire, In-Home in Meriden, or Telehealth.

Juliette Cole, LPC
416 Highland Ave
Bldg B
Cheshire, CT 06410

203-440-7798 Phone
475-775-5015 Fax

[email protected]

https://starfishfamilyconnections.clientsecure.me

https://www.facebook.com/starfamconnect/

Starfish Family Connections, LLC I am an adoption component clinician at Starfish Family Connections, LLC.

As we get ready to close out October and come into November which is Adoption Awareness Month, Starfish will look to raise awareness about some of the challenges facing kids who have been adopted.

Stay Tuned….. 😊💕🤗💕😊

Starfish will be there. Anyone else?!?!?

New Perspectives on Developmental Trauma in Adoption and Foster Care This workshop will introduce participants to Developmental Trauma Disorder and how this differs from trauma alone.