Foster Care and Adoption in Clinical Practice
$17.00
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Foster Care and Adoption in Clinical Practice: Addressing Emotional, Behavioral, and Mental Health Needs of Children and Caregivers
Summary
This presentation is designed to educate licensed mental health professionals on meeting the emotional, mental, and behavioral needs of foster and adoptive families. Both children and caregivers in these unique families need assistance navigating the complex challenges they often encounter. Topics reviewed in this workshop include the basics and importance of attachment, the five love languages as they apply to adoptive families, and parent training that emphasizes practical tips that can be quickly and effectively implemented. Attendees will be introduced to the evidence-based models of Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) and Circle of Security, knowledge that can be built upon by both caregivers and clinicians through additional training. Participants will be able to use the information provided in this presentation to aid their foster and adoptive clients and guide them toward additional support necessary to build and maintain healthy family dynamics. Supplementary resources will also be provided.
Learning Objectives
Participants will...
- Identify the importance of attachment in the development of healthy parent-child dynamics for foster and adoptive families.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the basics of two evidence-based models.
- Formulate a plan to apply new knowledge to work with adoptive and foster families.
Presenter
Dr. Laurel Shaler holds a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Family Studies from Regent University. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Florida State University and a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Liberty University. She is a Professor at Liberty in the Department of Counselor Education and Family Studies, where she has served as a Department Chair and Program Director. Her interests include but are not limited to the following: adoption; emotional wellbeing of women; loss & grief; parenting; relationships; resilience; and service members, veterans, and their spouses. Dr. Shaler is the author of “Reclaiming Sanity: Hope and Healing for Trauma, Stress, and Overwhelming Life Events” (David C. Cook, 2017) and “Relational Reset: Unlearning the Habits that Hold You Back” (Moody, 2019), and co-authored “Loving Adopted Children Well: A 5 Love Languages Approach” with Dr. Gary Chapman (2024).
References
• Hunsley, J. L., Shelley, L. T., West, A., Call, C., & Knight, D. K. (2025). Hope Connection® 2.0: The effectiveness of a post-adoption family camp intervention for promoting emotional and behavioral health among adopted children. Children and Youth Services Review, 168, 108058. DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2024.108058
• Pereira, M., Sedes, L., Gadea, E., & Shankland, R. (2025). Enhancing foster care relationships through attachment-based intervention: The Safe Families study protocol, a randomized controlled trial of the Circle of Security Parenting program®. BMC Psychology, 13, 1–13. DOI: 10.1186/s40359-025-02424-6
• Tadesse, E., Khalid, S., & Gao, C. (2025). Attachment-based interventions and outcomes in foster and adoptive families: A systematic review. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 18(1), 2361–2377.
Continuing Education
1 credit hour
Continuing Education Accreditations applicable to this course:
NBCC, IBCC, Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling
Intended Audience: Mental and Medical Health Professionals, Mental Health Coaches
American Association of Christian Counselors has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7543. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. American Association of Christian Counselors is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
The American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) is an Approved Continuing Education CE provider by the International Board of Christian Care (IBCC). American Association of Christian Counselors is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
The American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) offers some psychologists, therapists, counselors, social workers and play therapists Continuing Education (CE) credit due for good standing with certain states and a limited number of professional organizations. It remains the responsibility of each participant to be aware of state licensure and CE requirements.
Participants should check their state and/or local regulations regarding required continuing education hours. For more information Light University Continuing Education programs, please visit: https://lightuniversity.com/continuing-education-statements/
