Adult Adoption
Understanding the Meaning Beneath the Moment
Why Do People Seek Adult Adoption?
Adult adoption typically involves someone over the age of 18 being legally adopted by a parent figure. It may happen after a step-parent relationship becomes central, when birth family members reconnect and want to formalize their bond, or when chosen family feels more authentic than biological ties.
People may pursue adult adoption to:
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Affirm emotional closeness or redefine family
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Gain legal recognition (inheritance, next-of-kin status, etc.)
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Honor a long-term caregiving relationship
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Reclaim or rewrite their story of belonging
Emotional Impact of Adult Adoption
Even when it's welcome, adult adoption can bring up a range of emotions:
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Joy and relief in being fully claimed
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Grief for the years that were missed
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Loyalty conflicts with birth or adoptive families
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Fear of abandonment or rejection
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Identity shifts around last names, roles, or responsibilities
Therapy provides a place to honor both the hope and the complexity of the experience. It can also help with communication around the adoption process, whether you're navigating it together as a family or unpacking it on your own.
Who I Work With
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Adults considering being adopted by someone in their life
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Adoptive parents seeking to better understand the emotional landscape
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Families processing a recent or upcoming adult adoption
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Individuals reflecting on the long-term meaning of their adoption
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As an adoptee and therapist, I bring personal and professional insight into how layered adoption can be—especially later in life. My approach is grounded, compassionate, and always centered around your story.
Let’s Explore What This Means for You
If you're considering adult adoption or already navigating it, therapy can help you make sense of what it means, what it brings up, and how to move forward with clarity and care.
Schedule a session to explore if therapy is right for this season of your story.
Contact Information
Telephone
Address
15615 Alton Pkwy, Suite 450
Irvine, CA 92618
Karl Stenske, MA, Adoption Specialist, LMFT 150804
"Family leaves and indelible mark on your life: demanding to be noticed and woven into every piece of your story"