We are doing a hybrid Healing Series episode with adoptee and adoptee therapist, Kathy Mackechney, LCSW. Kathy shares part of her story with us, including how she was prepared for rejection during her reunions, but was instead surprised by eager acceptance. Getting into the therapy of it all, Kathy is an Internal Family Systems practitioner and has developed the idea that not all of our parts get adopted. We unpack what that means, including that somewhere inside us we can access who we may have been, had we not been separated from our original families. Kathy is one of the first, if not the first, adoptee therapist(s) to have an entire chapter published in a clinical text that focuses on how to work with adoptees - it’s literally the chapter we should assign our therapists to read!

Show Notes

Full episode transcript here.

Recommended Resources

Kathy’s chapter in Altogether Us: Integrating the IFS Model with Key Modalities, Communities, and Trends - IFS and Adoptees: Healing Parts Burdened by Relinquishment Trauma
Kathy has an upcoming retreat in May 22 - 26, 2025 and more info will be available soon - or you can email kathy{at]adopteetherapy{dot}com
Kathy's next "Not All Parts Get Adopted" workshop is January 11, 2025
Carl Smith - https://www.instagram.com/decsmith50/
Father Unknown - now on YouTube here

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Kathy Mackechney, LCSW: Instagram | Website
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This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Nothing stated on it, either by its hosts or any guests, is to be construed as psychological, medical or legal advice. Please seek out professionals in those fields if you need those services. The views expressed by the hosts of Adoptees On or any guests are their own and do not represent the opinions of any organization or other person unless otherwise stated.