Antioch University Los Angeles

BA Course #:
MA Course #: PSY 535 E
1 Unit Workshop
9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Instructor: Marlou Russell, Ph.D.
1452 26th Street, Suite 103
Santa Monica, California 90404
Phone (310) 829-1438
Fax (310) 476-1963
Email = marlourussell@hotmail.com

The Lifelong Impact of Adoption

Course Syllabus

I. Major Goal

This workshop will provide an overview of the lifelong psychological and emotional impact of adoption for adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive families. Major issues to be explored include the myths and realities of adoption, loss in adoption, and how adoptive families are different. Current trends in adoption such as open adoption, international adoption and transracial adoption will be addressed.

II. Skills and Knowledge

Identify and describe characteristics of adoption triad members

Learn how adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive parents are affected by adoption

Increase empathy and clinical skills in working with adoption triad members

Consideration of current adoption practices based on a historical perspective

Resources and referrals for triad members

III. Learning Activities

1. Attendance:

Attend entire workshop and participate in class discussions

2. Readings:

Read assigned material before day of workshop

3. Written assignments:

BA Students:
1) Write and hand in one 1-3 page reaction paper during workshop based on video.
2) Write one 1-3 page paper after workshop. Paper may be written on any adoption topic of interest to the student based on reading and reflection. Include written references to specific reading materials that have influenced your thoughts. (Examples of topics: what you now know about adoption; the pros and cons of open adoption; your recommendations for prospective adoptive parents and social workers facilitating adoption; the standards you would set for future adoptions; three things most people donıt know about adoption, etc.). Second paper may be left in instructorıs Antioch mailbox or mailed (not certified mail) to office address listed above.

MA Students:
1) Write and hand in one 1-3 page reaction paper during workshop based on video.
2) Write one 3-5 page paper after workshop and hand in. Paper may be written on any adoption topic of interest to the student based on reading and reflection. Include written references to specific reading materials that have influenced your thoughts. (Examples of topics; what you now know about adoption; the pros and cons of open adoption; your recommendations for prospective adoptive parents and social workers facilitating adoption; the standards you would set for future adoptions; three things most people donıt know about adoption, etc.) Second paper may be left in instructorıs Antioch mailbox or mailed (not certified mail) to office address listed above.

4. Confidentiality:

It is expected that any personal or professional disclosures from students will be held in confidence by other students in the workshop.

IV. Assessment and Documentation

Assessment will be based on the studentıs expanded awareness and critical thinking of the issues addressed int eh workshop. These factors will be evidenced by class participation and written assignments. To receive credit for this class, students must attend the entire workshop and submit the two written assignments described above by the deadlines stated.

Incomplete Policy:
No incompletes will be offered for this class.

V. Readings
BA Course and MA Course:Read the following before the workshop:

Russell, Marlou (1996) Adoption Wisdom: A Guide to the Issues and Feelings of Adoption. Santa Monica, CA: Broken Branch Productions.

Chapter 1: The Adoption Triad, pp. 19-24
Chapter 2: The History of Adoption, pp. 25-32
Chapter 3: Basic Truths of Adoption, pp. 33-39
Chapter 4: Loss and Grief in Adoption, pp. 41-48
Chapter 5: The Realities of Adoption, pp 49-64
Chapter 6: Adoptees, pp. 65-78
Chapter 7: Birth Parents, pp. 79-96
Chapter 8: Adoptive Parents, pp.97-110

MA Course:
In addition to the above reading, bring in one or more articles on adoption. The articles may be chapters from the attached class bibliography, from the psychological literature or from the popular media. Be prepared to discuss the articles in class.

VI. Outline of Workshop Schedule
(subject to revision)

9:00 - 10:00 Introduction and personal experiences with adoption

10:00 - 10:30 History of adoption; myths and realities of adoption; loss issues

10:30 - 10:45 Break

10:45 - 12:00 Video; write 1-3 reaction paper; discussion

12:00 - 1:00 Lunch

1:00-2:30 Adoptees, Birth Parents, Adoptive Parents, Adoptive Families

2:30 - 3:00 Search and Reunion; Healing in Adoption

3:00 -3:15 Break

3:15 - 4:00 Role-play: Adoption Triad Members

4:00 - 430 International Adoption; Transracial Adoption; Ethical issues in adoption

4:30 - 5:00 Instructor Evaluation. Resources and Reading List. Closing thoughts

Other Suggested Readings and references

(See page 195 - 199) in Adoption Wisdom for a more extensive suggested reading list)

Bishoff, Tonya, & Rankin, Jo. (Eds.) (1997). Seeds from a Silent Tree: An Anthology by Korean Adoptees. Glendale, CA: Pandal Press.

Blau, Eric. (1993). Stories of Adoption. Portland, OR: New Sage Press.

Brodzinsky, David M., Schechter, Marshall D. and Henig, Robin Marantz. (1992). Being Adopted: The Lifelong Search for Self. New York: Doubleday.

Emerson, William R. (1996). "The Vulnerable Prenate". Pre and Perinatal Psychology Journal. Vol. 10, Number 3, 125 - 142.

Fahlberg, Vera I. (1991). A Childıs Journey Through Placement. Indianapolis, IN: Perspectives Press.

Gross, Harriet E. and Sussman, Marvin B. (Eds). (1997). Families and Adoption. New York: Haworth Press.

Jewett, Claudia L. (1982). Helping Children Cope with Separation and Loss. Harvard, MA: Harvard Common Press.

Jones, Merry Bloch. (1993). Birthmothers: Women who have Relinquished Babies for Adoption Tell Their Stories. Chicago: Chicago Review Press.

Kirk, H. David. (1984). Shared Fate: A Theory and Method of Adoptive Relationships. Port Angeles, WA: Ben-Simon Publications.

Lifton, Betty Jean. (1994). Journey of the Adopted Self: A Quest for Wholeness. New York: Basic Books.

Mason, Mary Martin. (1995). Out of the Shadows: Birthfathersı Stories. Edina, MN: O.J. Howard Publishing.

McColm, Michelle. (1993). Adoption Reunions: A Book for Adoptees, Birth Parents and Adoptive Families. Toronto: Second Story Press.

Melina, Lois Ruskai. (1989). Making Sense of Adoption: Conversations and Activities for Families Formed Through Adoption, Donor Insemination, Surrogacy, and In Vitro Fertilization. New York: Harper & Row

---. (1986). Raising Adopted Children: A Manual for Adoptive Parents. New York: Harper & Row.

Melina, Lois Ruskai and Roszia, Sharon Kaplan. (1993). The Open Adoption Experience: A Complete Guide for Adoptive and Birth Families - From Making the Decision Through the Childıs Growing Years. New York: Harper Collins.

Pavao, Joyce Maguire. (1998). The Family of Adoption. Boston: Beacon Press.

Reitz, Miriam, and Watson, Kenneth. (1992). Adoption and the Family System. New York: Guilford Press.

Rando, Therese A. (Ed.) (1986). Parental Loss of a Child. Champaign, IL: Research Press.

Roles, Patricia. (1989). Saying Goodbye to a Baby, Volume 1: The Birthparentıs Guide to Loss and Grief in Adoption. Washington, DC: Child Welfare League of America.

---. (1989) Saying Goodbye to a Baby, Volume 2: A Counselorıs Guide to Birthparent loss and Grief in Adoption. Washington, DC: Child Welfare League of America.

Rosenberg, Elinor B. (1992). The Adoption Life Cycle: The Children and their Families Through the Years. New York: The Free Press.

Siegel, Stephanie E. (1997). Parenting your Adopted Child: A Complete and Loving Guide. Encino, CA: SES Publishing.

Silber, Kathleen and Dorner, Patricia Martinez. (1989). Children of Open Adoption. San Antonio, TX: Corona Publishing.

Soroksy, Arthur, Baran, Annette, Pannor, Reuben. (1984). The Adoption Triangle: The Effects of Sealed Records on Adoptees, Birth Parents and Adoptive Parents. San Antonio, TX: Corona Publishing.

Strauss, Jean A.S. (1994). Birthright: The Guide to Search and Reunion for Adoptees, Birthparents, and Adoptive Parents. New York: Penguin Publishing.

Van Gulden, Holly and Bartels-Rabb, Lisa M. (1995). Real Parents, Real Children: Parenting the Adopted Child. New York: Crossroad Books

Verrier, Nancy Newton. (1993). The Primal Wound: Understanding the Adopted Child. Baltimore: Gateway Press.ı

Winkler, Robin C., Brown, Dirck W., Van Keppel, Margaret, and Blanchard, Amy. (1988). Clinical Practice in Adoption. Elmsford, NY: Pergamon Press.

Marlou Russell, Ph.D
1452 26th Street, Suite 103
Santa Monica, California 90404
Phone (310) 829-1438
Fax (310) 476-1963
e-mail = marlourussell@hotmail.com

The Lifelong Impact of Adoption Presenter Bio

Marlou Russell, Ph.D. is a Psychologist and Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in Adoption issues in her private practice in Santa Monica, California. She offers psychotherapy and counseling for adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive families in addition to consultation for professionals on adoption issues.

Dr. Russell is the author of ADOPTION WISDOM: A Guide to the Issues and Feelings of Adoption. ADOPTION WISDOM is a book that educates people about the lifelong impact of adoption, prepares those considering adoption, and validates the feelings of current adoption triad members.

Dr. Russell lectures extensively on the Lifelong Impact of Adoption to the public and has presented on Psychotherapy and Adoption Issues to the California Psychological Association, the Los Angeles County Psychological Association, and to the Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley Chapters of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. She has facilitated support groups for adult adoptees and birth parents and presents at major adoption conferences. She is a member of the Kinship Alliance, American Adoption Congress, Council for Equal Rights in Adoption, Resolve, and various professional organizations.

Dr. Russell has appeared on television and radio as an expert on adoption issues. She is an adoptee in reunion with her birth family.

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