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Exposure to the foster care system, while hardly unique to the internationally adopted child, can often leave a lasting traumatic impact on the child. In the context of environmental stressors such as desperate poverty, civil war, social upheaval, and disease, which abound in some popular adoptive countries, it is easy to see how a child can suffer severe psychological trauma prior to adoption.... More

Exposure to the foster care system, while hardly unique to the internationally adopted child, can often leave a lasting traumatic impact on the child. In the context of environmental stressors such as desperate poverty, civil war, social upheaval, and disease, which abound in some popular adoptive countries, it is easy to see how a child can suffer severe psychological trauma prior to adoption. An adoptive parent herself, Dr. Williams discusses the unique risk factors involved in international adoption and how trauma and traumatic stress can impact the child's normal attachment systems, coping skills, emotional functions, and educational development. In addition, this comprehensive guide discusses the specific interventions and counseling strategies and techniques that clinicians, social workers, child services, and counselors can use to help parents and children cope, both immediately following the adoption and in longer-term care.