WHEN: 9/15/26, 9/22/26, 9/29/26, 10/6/26, 10/13/26, 10/20/26 from 6:15-7:45 PM(EST)

WHERE: Zoom (You must reside in the designated areas of Virginia* and have access to a webcam and internet.)

COST: FREE!

VA Teens: High School Virtual Teen Adoptee/Guardianship Identity Group

Please join us for a virtual support group for adopted or guardianship high schoolers in Virginia!

Adolescence is a tumultuous time and being adopted adds another layer of complexity. The Northern Post-Adoption Consortium (NPAC), which includes both adoptive AND kinship teens, is pleased to offer a FREE virtual support group for high school-aged teens who were adopted or are in kinGAP or state-funded kinship subsidy families in the Northern Region* of Virginia.

Teens will focus on connecting with other youth in similar families, promoting identification as an adoptee or child in a kinship family, providing a safe space to share feelings and thoughts about their life stories and experiences and supporting their exploration of identity.

Come ready to share experiences and eat some snacks (to be provided!) with new friends!

Teens will receive an Amazon gift card once they complete a survey on their experiences in the group.

*The Virginia counties of Alexandria, Arlington, Clarke, Culpeper, Fairfax, Fauquier, Frederick, Fredericksburg, Greene, Harrisonburg/Rockingham, King George, Loudoun, Louisa, Madison, Manassas City/Park, Orange, Page, Prince William, Rappahannock, Shenandoah, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Warren, & Winchester.

ABOUT THE FACILITATORS:

Thais Littleton holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from George Washington University and a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies, with a minor in Marketing, from San Francisco State University. With over eight years of experience in the non-profit sector, she has supported youth as a development specialist and program coordinator, focusing on their social-emotional growth.

Thais’ therapeutic approach is rooted in family systems and attachment theory. She incorporates youth’s unique interests into sessions whenever possible, with a budding interest in play therapy and cinematherapy, and works closely with families to develop a holistic understanding of their story—helping them gain perspective, foster self-awareness, and move through life in alignment with their goals.

Mari J. Itzkowitz, LCSW has over 20 years’ experience working in the areas of loss, healing, trauma and adoption.  Ms. Itzkowitz graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Science in Education and received her Master of Social Work from The Catholic University of America. Ms. Itzkowitz is an Adoption Competent Therapist and Training Specialist at the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.) in Annandale, VA.

Ms. Itzkowitz provides clinical services to families who have adopted through foster care or internationally and works closely with individual counties to provide pre-adoption services working with foster children and families as they move toward finalization. In addition, she provides individual, family and group therapy to adopted children, families, and adult adoptees. Ms. Itzkowitz is a Certified TAC trainer and has provided “Train the Trainer” programs throughout the country.

Ms. Itzkowitz has been providing Consultation Supervision both at C.A.S.E. and privately for the last 15 years. Her specialty as a clinical social worker prior to joining C.A.S.E. included hospice patients and families as they face end-of-life issues, as well as bereaved individuals and groups after the death of a loved one. She has also worked with clients who are experiencing transitional loss and role adjustment, corporate downsizing, and career changes.