Welcome to spring. We are about to get the 'yard' cleaned at 220 Concord and start some planting. That will give us a more festive feeling. Mary and I are working very hard - (seems like more and more work but the pay is the same!!)
We have a nice routine here at 220.
We work hard from 9 to noon (I'm often in at 8 or a bit earlier)- either seeing clients, doing phone consults, or writing and more writing. At noon we have lunch. We either split one of the giant Hi Rise sandwiches, get a couple of Armando slices of Za, or get the yummy Curried Chicken at Sarah's Market.
Then it's back to work with more clients, consults and projects for the remainder of the day. On Wednesdays Wendy is in the office and that is great, and on some Tuesdays, Sue is here. Occasionally we have a pop up party with the Interfluve guys upstairs. Mary zips out for coffees and teas and to mail things intermittently throughout the day, and sometimes we take walks around the block and do mobile meetings and stop at Formaggio Kitchen for caffeine.
Once a month, we travel to a DMH office in Westborough, Quincy, Boston, Arlington or somewhere to do consults/trainings. Another once a month, we do DCF consults/trainings in Lawrence, Lynn, or Arlington. And another once a month we do trainings at Riverside and a monthly consult session at Guidance Center.
We have court cases and write affidavits galore making recommendations for children and families in open adoption, divorce, transition planning etc. - when necessary there is expert witness work relating to the court cases. We meet with students who want to work in the field and would like an informational interview, students doing film projects at Harvard, and adults who want a change of career that involves adoption.
CNN sent a film crew to tape us regarding talking to children about trauma and traumatic events after the dreadful bombing at the Marathon. I also did an interview for Huffington Post on the same subject. We were all touched by that tragic event, and knew some of the victims. We were also touched by the manhunt and chase...the chase went right by my home and the manhunt ended up five doors from Mary's house.
I volunteered for the Red Cross after the bombings and was amazed at the very thorough process one goes through to be a 'volunteer'. They did an online background check on me for volunteering, but I don't need one to buy a gun? Is that right? Hmmmm.
I've been doing more supervision for psychiatrists, psychologist, social workers and marriage family therapists and licensed mental health workers around special issues in adoption. I took my course for CEU's for Approved Supervisor Status renewal for American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
I'm eager to do more supervising of people in this field who need specialized adoption competent supervision. Taking Referrals.
Also see the blurb about Coaching and be sure to contact me if you think I can help with parent coaching or professional coaching.
For Training and Keynote Speeches, I am always available. Call to find out about fees and agreements for these in the coming year.
You will see a link to the ARC Summer Intensives.
Shaping up beautifully with great speakers and subjects. Please help us to market this great educational and fun event.
NYC Adoption Therapy Training was huge success. Next year we will repeat the year-long training, and will add a Supervision/Consultation Group for those who have taken the course. Contact us to learn more.
Boston deserves an Adoption Therapy year-long Training as well and we will begin that in the fall.
We are taking registrants now.
Our TableTalk About Adoption series is beginning soon. We've had a rough start, but by the next newsletter you will have a link to my interview with Sue Harris O'Connor about her book: An Introspective Study of a Transracial Adoptee The Harris Narratives.
Since we last news'ed you, I have done my class and consultations in NYC and have been to Cleveland for the American Adoption Congress conference.
We have seen families and children who want to learn more about talking about birth family, about opening closed adoptions, about re-connecting with birth parents that were last seen at the birth of the baby(who is now 10 or 14) about trips to country of origin and how and when to do them, about behaviors that are putting pre adolescent and adolescents at risk, about what schools will best serve which kids, about parents separating and divorcing and how to talk to kids and how to make sure the children stay central, about adult children who are having a hard time getting a start in life, about the impact of adult children on the relationships of the parents, about people moving and wanting to prepare the children for the move and about finding resources in their new area.
"Dr. Laura....How do you hold a child accountable for her behavior without punishment?" 
