Children in adoptive and foster care have often encountered early trauma. How one interacts with them can be crucial to their development, well-being and futures as adults. As parents and caregivers, we also have our own complex histories that can be brought into our parenting process. But learning more about how our past reflects on our present families actually makes families stronger! Enduring adverse experiences can cause us to experience toxic stress, especially when we are very young. This type of stress can wire young brains for emotional reactivity because survival becomes the main priority.
Through knowing our ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) score, we can develop a greater awareness of how our past affects us in the present, and therefore open up greater possibilities for healing and resiliency and laying a solid foundation for your child's sense of security in the world. Join Dr. Erica Liu Wollin and Emily Kusunoki as they share how this knowledge can be used to build a foundation of healing and support for adoptive and foster families.
Dr. Erica Liu Wollin is an adoptive parent and Clinical Psychologist. She has a private practice in Sheung Wan specializing in trauma treatment for adults, adolescents, children, couples and families. She was trained in the US and holds a PsyD and MA in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College. Dr. Wollin is a Certified EMDR Therapist, an EMDRIA-Approved Consultant, and a Certified Safe and Sound Protocol provider. She has volunteered with Adoptive Families of Hong Kong for over 12 years and is a trainer and consultant for Mother’s Choice. Her clinical interests include complex trauma, adoption and foster care, attachment, and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.
Emily Kusunoki is a counsellor trained in the US and currently working at a private practice in Tsim Sha Tsui called Hub and Spokes International. She has spent many years studying the effects of trauma on the human brain and nervous system, as well as the importance of individual attachment styles on relationship health. She works primarily with those struggling with issues of anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, or interpersonal difficulties.
This event is open only to members and registration is required in advance. If you would like to join as a member you can do that when registering for the event.
Where we will be meeting: This event will take place in Wong Chuk Hang, and full address instructions will be sent you you upon registration.
Suggested donation: $80 for those with General Membership or $50 for those with Single Parent Membership. Please consider donating more to help us continue our mission to support the adoption and fostering community in Hong Kong. Due to our inability to run our usual event programs we are currently unable to reach our annual fundraising goals. You can also donate here.
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