Comprehensive Adoption Competent Clinical Assessments with Children and their Parents

Dates: September 10 &17, October 1, 2025 

Time: 12-2pm EST/11am-1pm CST/ 9-11am PST

Faculty: Dr. Kate Murray

This 3-session, 6-hour course will delve into the intricacies of adoption competent assessments. Building on the assessment tool introduced in TAC, research will be shared about why certain areas need to be covered while assessing children who have been adopted and resources will be shared. Using a problem-based learning model and facilitated small group discussions, this course will dive into case examples over the course of the series so that participants can work through assessment with children, with parents, diagnostic considerations, and choices around interventions. Participants will also have the opportunity to utilize the tools shared with their own clients and discuss their experience with the group.

November 2025: Working with Parents and Families (Dates TBD)

Lead Faculty: Laura Ornelas, LCSW

In this course, we will dig into one of the most challenging yet critical areas of adoption competence: working with family systems. From empowering parents to managing family dynamics to considerations of all children, this course will be heavy on practice with peers to increase skills and confidence as well as understanding of what to prioritize in treatment when.

January 2026: Voices of Birth/First Parents (Dates TBD)

Lead Faculty: Dr. Anne Brodzinsky

With an emphasis on birth/first mothers, this course will shed light on emotions surrounding separation from a child through the lifelong journey afterwards. Taught by a researcher, mental health clinician and birth mother, this course promises to offer clinicians unique and fresh insights into understanding birth/first families, supporting the grief process and moving into healing and empowerment. 

Coursework Purchase Options:

Single Course: $350

Three Course Bundle: $900