Monday 3rd March - Module 1 - The History and Law of Adoption in the UK - In Room
In this module we will learn about the origins of UK Adoption in the early 1900s and how the law, research and societal thinking about adoption has changed over the past 100 years. We will explore recent developments in the process of adopting children in 2025 in comparison with the experiences of Adult Adoptees presenting for therapy in 2025.
Monday 17th March - Module 2 - Intake, Assessment and Ethical Considerations of Working with Adult Adoptees and those affected by Adoption - Online
We will critically assess various methods for intake and assessment of Adult Adoptees incl. frequent psychiatric diagnoses attributed to this client set. Exploring attachment and relational patterns of adoptees through various ways of a reaching a working diagnosis and understanding of the client and their desired therapeutic outcomes. Using multiple ethical dilemmas, we will disseminate risks, safeguarding considerations and our duty-of-care to Adult Adoptee clients. We will use supervised practice to enhance our contracting skills with this client group and understand the importance of autonomy and mutual bilateral contracting with an adoptee.
Mon 24th March - Module 3 - Adoptees and Identity - Online
Synthesising a variety of research, theory and method, we will assess the complexity of an Adoptee's core sense of self, the limits of information available to create a coherent identity, and using clinical vignettes the tutors will offer case material of therapeutic interventions designed to assist the Adult Adoptee in their lifelong search for self.
Mon 7th April - Module 4 - Adoptees and their multiple family systems - Online
This module will assist in evaluating the complexities of how the adoptee strives to survive multiple family systems: biological (ancestral); adopted; chosen / biological (descendent). You will critically analyse themes of therapeutic patterns which emerge in sessions around loyalty bonds; existential belonging and attachment patterns; and defense mechanisms of adoptees. We will appraise and critically assess the research into Neurodiversity in Adoptees; Nature v. Nurture; and other unique aspects of consideration.
Monday 14th April - Module 5 - Treatment Planning, Theory and Methods - In Room
You will synthesise a comprehensive system of treatment planning and a variety of therapeutic theory and method (evaluating and incorporating a range of concepts from TA; Family Systems Approaches; Attachment focussed therapy). Each theory and method will be applied in practice through small group work and supervised triad practice.
Trainers: Susie Hewitt is an Adult Adoptee herself, and has worked with those touched by Adoption for over a decade. She is also a Teaching and Supervising Transactional Analyst. She has an MSc in TA Psychotherapy (Middlesex Uni) and is registered and accredited as a psychotherapist and supervisor with both UKCP and is a Snr Accredited member of BACP. She has run a Private Practice in North Manchester since 2009.
Michelle Hyams-Ssekasi is a trained Social Worker and UKCP Registered Psychotherapist who is OFSTED registered to provide Adoption Psychotherapy for Child Adoptees and their families in the North West of England. She worked for over two decades for the NSPCC and is both a Child & Adolescent and Adult Registered Psychotherapist with both BACP and UKCP. A Provisional Teaching & Supervising Transactional Analyst, she has a wealth of clinical experience in working with those touched by adoption.
This workshop carries CPD credits (particularly for those in TA Training who must count hrs with a PTSTA or TSTA trainer).
A 20% deposit option is available for all courses. You may choose to pay the remaining balance at your convenience, either in smaller instalments or as a single lump sum. To access this option, please proceed to the final payment page during the booking process, where the deposit option will be made available to you.