Counseling Adult Black Transracial Adoptees

The adoption of children by parents of a different race has grown significantly in the United States with about 21% of transracial adoptees being Black children. A considerable amount of research has focused on the experiences of adoptive parents while the unique therapeutic needs of adult Black transracial adoptees continue to remain under-explored. This practice brief explores the topic of Black transracial adoption, assessment tools such as the cultural racial identity model and the adoptive family life cycle, as well as counseling interventions that are tailored for this population. Significant issues include psychological adjustment, identity development and the impact of racial socialization within adoptive families.