Welcome to the season 4 premiere of the Family Twist podcast! Today, we are incredibly fortunate to have Jeanette Yoffe, a therapist and adoptee, who shares her profound journey of adoption and the intricate family dynamics that come with it. Her story not only sheds light on the adoptee’s perspective but also offers invaluable insights into the emotional complexities faced by all members of the adoption constellation. If you're ready for a deep dive into the world of adoption and emotional healing, press play and join us in this eye-opening conversation with Jeanette.

We are Not Responsible for Our Birth Parents' Unavailability Part 1

Episode Highlights:

Jeanette’s Personal Adoption Story: Her experiences growing up with her adoptive family, feeling resentment and distance from her birth mother, and the impact on her relationship with her siblings.

The Emotional Impact of Adoption: Discussion on the primal wound and trauma experienced by adoptees, leading to feelings of loss, rejection, and identity struggles.

Seven Core Vulnerabilities in Adoption: Jeanette outlines the universal vulnerabilities affecting adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive parents, including loss, rejection, shame, guilt, and identity issues.

Secondary Trauma and Rejection: Jeanette recounts her experience of being rejected by her birth father and the subsequent emotional repercussions.

Healing Through Storytelling:

The therapeutic power of sharing and processing adoption stories, as exemplified by Jeanette's journey into psychotherapy.

Support and Resources for Adoptees and Birth Parents: Mention of organizations like Saving Our Sisters and the importance of support groups for all involved in the adoption process.

Jeanette’s Reunion with Birth Family: An emotional recounting of her meeting with her birth father and

Resources Mentioned:

• Saving Our Sisters (Organization supporting mothers considering adoption)
• Adoption Constellation Support Group (Los Angeles-based support group for all members of the adoption process)

Closing Thoughts: This episode with Jeanette not only enlightened us about the layered emotions involved in adoption but also emphasized the importance of understanding, empathy, and support for everyone in the adoption constellation. Her story is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the healing potential of open, honest communication.

If you found this episode as impactful as we did, please rate, follow, and review Family Twist. Your support helps us continue bringing meaningful conversations like this to light.

Guest Bio:

Jeanette Yoffe, M.A., M.F.T. earned her Master's in Clinical Psychology, specializing in adoption and foster care, from Antioch University in June of 2002. She treats children, teens, and adults with serious psychological problems secondary to histories of abuse, neglect, adoption, and /or multiple foster care placements. She has specialized for the past 20 years in the treatment of children and teens who manifest serious deficits in their emotional, cognitive, and behavioral development.

She is the Founder of Celia Center Inc, a non-profit organization in Los Angeles supporting all members of the foster care and adoption constellation which includes birth parents, foster youth, adoptees, foster and adoptive parents as well as professionals working in the field.

She is also the Clinical Director of Yoffe Therapy Inc. A mental health center in Los Angeles provides services to families, children, teens, and adults connected by foster care and adoption. Learn more here.

​Jeanette’s desire to become a therapist with a special focus on adoption and foster care issues derived from her own experience of being adopted and moving through the foster care system. Her personal experience has informed her education and provided insight into the unique stresses involved with these issues.

She is also Court Appointed Reunification Expert for Los Angeles Superior Court in cases involving children at risk for separation.

Guest Resources:

Celia Center Free Support Groups