Facilitator:

Emily Marshall, LICSW, LCSW-C, International Program Director, Barker Adoption Foundation 

For many intercountry adoptees, visiting their birth country is more than a trip, it’s a journey of self-discovery and connection. Whether through independent travel or formal homeland tours, these experiences offer a deeper understanding of culture, history, and identity.

In this engaging panel, young adult adoptees will share their personal stories of returning to their homelands. They’ll discuss the emotional impact, challenges, and transformative moments that shaped their sense of belonging. Panelists will also explore the complexities of identity and heritage, offering insights on how reconnecting with their roots has influenced their lives.

What You’ll Take Away:

• Real stories from adoptees who have traveled back to their birth countries
• Insights into the emotional and cultural impact of homeland visits
• Guidance on navigating identity, belonging, and connection to heritage
• An opportunity to engage with adoptees who have experienced this journey firsthand

Facilitator:

Chauncey Strong, MSW, Executive Director, Strong Family Training

Adopting an older youth comes with unique challenges and rewards. In this candid discussion, a panel of young adults who experienced adoption later in life will share their personal journeys, offering insight into what adoptive parents should anticipate.

Panelists will explore common behaviors, the emotions behind them, and the realities of transitioning into a permanent family. Through their firsthand experiences, they will provide practical advice on building trust, fostering stability, and navigating difficult moments.

This interactive session will also include an open Q&A, giving attendees the chance to engage directly with foster care alumni and gain deeper understanding of how to create a supportive, lasting family environment.

What You’ll Take Away:

• Practical strategies for adoption, parenting, and identity navigation
• Firsthand and honest insights from adoptees, parents, and professionals
• Tools for trauma-informed parenting and emotional resilience
• Tips for fostering multicultural and inclusive family dynamics

A supportive community of adoptees, parents, and advocates 

Facilitator:

Sami Albert, LCSW-C, LICSW, Sr. Search and Match Specialist, Barker Adoption Foundation

Description: 

Open adoption has been shown to benefit adoptees by fostering a sense of identity, connection, and emotional well-being. But maintaining these relationships requires trust, empathy, and flexibility from all involved.

This session brings together adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive parents to discuss the realities of open adoption. Through personal experiences and expert insights, panelists will share what works, what challenges arise, and how to navigate the evolving dynamics of these relationships.

What You’ll Take Away:

• Key benefits of open adoption and why it matters
• Practical strategies for maintaining healthy birth and adoptive family connections
• Real stories of challenges, successes, and lessons learned
• Actionable ways to foster trust, communication, and respect in open adoption relationships

Facilitator:

Cynthia Cubbage, LCSW-C, LICSW | Director of Family & Post-Adopt Services and Adoption Competent Family, Child, and Adolescent Therapist, Barker Adoption Foundation

The search for biological family is a deeply personal and emotional process, filled with uncertainty, hope, and complex emotions. This session is designed for adoptees, birth families, and anyone impacted by the search and reunion experience, providing valuable insights and practical guidance for navigating this transformative journey.

A panel of domestic and international adoptees will share their firsthand experiences—highlighting the motivations, challenges, and outcomes of their searches. Whether you are considering searching, currently navigating the process, or seeking to support a loved one, this discussion will offer perspectives on the emotional landscape of reunion, family dynamics, and personal healing.

What You’ll Take Away:

• Insights into the emotional and psychological aspects of search and reunion
• Strategies for preparing for the search process and managing expectations
• Discussion on handling fear of rejection and family loyalty concerns
• Perspectives on navigating new and evolving relationships with birth family
• Real-life experiences from adoptees who have pursued their search journeys

Facilitator:

Ellen Singer, LCSW-C, Former Barker Adoption Competent Therapist

Every child’s adoption story is unique, and navigating when and how to share difficult details can be challenging for parents. Some parts of a child's history are obviously painful, while others may not be immediately recognized as such. This session will help parents, caregivers, and educators approach these sensitive conversations with confidence, honesty, and empathy.

Through interactive discussions, participants will explore why sharing challenging details feels difficult, why it’s essential, and how to communicate in an age-appropriate and supportive way. The workshop will also address privacy considerations—helping parents empower children to decide when and with whom to share their personal stories.

What You’ll Take Away:

• Why it’s important to share difficult details and when to do so
• Practical strategies for discussing complex adoption topics with children
• How to balance honesty, emotional support, and age-appropriate storytelling
• Guidance on honoring a child’s right to privacy and self-determination
• Tools for fostering open communication and building trust

Facilitators: 

Isaac Etter, Founder, Identity Consulting & his mother, Julie Etter

A Practical Guide: Transracial Adoption: Etter, Isaac, Etter, Julie, Learning, Identity Resource

Raising a child in a multicultural family comes with both incredible joys and unique challenges. This session, led by Isaac Etter and his mother Julie, will explore the importance of nurturing a child’s cultural identity and creating an inclusive family environment that honors and celebrates diversity.

Through candid discussions, participants will gain insights into the realities of raising children in transracial and multicultural families, including how to navigate racism, cultural misunderstandings, and differing traditions. The session will also emphasize the power of community and shared experiences in fostering a strong sense of belonging.

What You’ll Take Away:

• Practical strategies for strengthening cultural identity in adopted children
• Guidance on handling racism, bias, and cultural misunderstandings
• Insights on balancing family traditions while embracing diversity
• The importance of building a supportive community and finding resources
• Real-life experiences from a multicultural adoptive family

Facilitator:

Dr. Christina Reese, LCPC

Healing Hearts: Effective Strategies for Adoptive Parenting & Trauma

Adoption is often seen as a fresh start, but for many adoptees, it also comes with deep-rooted trauma. From the pain of separation to the lasting effects of abuse, neglect, and loss, these experiences shape emotional and behavioral responses in ways that can be difficult to navigate.

In this workshop, Dr. Christina Reese, LCPC, will help parents and caregivers understand the complex layers of grief, identity, and healing that many adoptees face. Participants will learn to recognize signs of trauma, manage challenging behaviors, and implement strategies that foster emotional security and resilience. This session offers a supportive space to explore how to build strong attachments and create an environment where healing can thrive.

What You’ll Take Away:

• A deeper understanding of trauma’s impact on adoptees
• Strategies for identifying and addressing emotional distress
• Techniques for managing challenging behaviors with empathy
• Approaches to strengthening attachment and building trust
• Practical tools for creating a nurturing, trauma-informed home

Facilitator:

Schai Schairer, Licensed Master Social Worker at Maryland Department of Public Safety & Correctional Services

Adoptees, particularly those from minority and LGBTQ+ communities, often face unique biases and societal challenges that shape their identities and experiences. In this thought-provoking session, Schai Schairer, Licensed Master Social Worker, will share her personal journey as a queer, interracial adoptee and use the power of poetry to illuminate these complex issues.

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of both macro- and micro-aggressions that adoptees encounter in everyday life. The session will provide practical insights on how parents, educators, and caregivers can advocate for adoptees and support them in navigating interactions with medical professionals, teachers, law enforcement, and beyond.

What You’ll Take Away:

• A deeper awareness of biases adoptees may experience in society
• Insights into how race, identity, and sexuality intersect in adoption
• Strategies for responding to discrimination and microaggressions
• Tools to help adoptees navigate institutions like healthcare and education
• A better understanding of how to create safe, affirming spaces for adoptees

Facilitator:

Dr. Julie Lopez

For many adoptees, a sense of well-being can feel just out of reach—not due to brokenness, but because of the unique challenges in aligning with their authentic selves. This transformative workshop, led by Dr. Julie Lopez, adoptee, author, and human systems expert, will guide participants through the process of understanding their internal landscapes and how unconscious patterns shape their experiences, decisions, and overall happiness.

Through hands-on exercises, participants will explore their personal "inner maps" and learn practical strategies for overcoming obstacles, reducing stress, and building confidence. This session provides a supportive space to deepen self-awareness and take actionable steps toward emotional and psychological well-being.

What You’ll Take Away:

• A deeper understanding of how unconscious patterns influence well-being
• Strategies to reduce stress, boost confidence, and enhance self-awareness
• Hands-on exercises to map personal experiences and challenges
• Tools for creating meaningful change in areas that feel limiting
• A supportive framework for aligning with your authentic self and thriving