Because adoption is such a life-changing choice, you want to have the best information and resources by your side before making any decisions.  You can get free adoption counseling now by calling 1-800-ADOPTION.

When you contact American Adoptions about potentially making an adoption plan for your baby:

• You’ll immediately be connected with an adoption professional who can help answer any questions and concerns you may have.

• You can get adoption counseling services and support to help you determine whether adoption is right for you

• If you decide to move forward, your adoption counselor will be your guide and advocate through every step of your adoption process

But, first: 

• What is an adoption counselor? 
• What does an adoption counselor do?
• And what if you feel confident in your adoption decision — do you need adoption counseling services?  

Below, learn more about counseling for parents considering adoption, and discover how you can stay in touch with our confidential adoption counselors for free before, during, and after your adoption.

You can contact 1-800-ADOPTION anytime to discuss your options for adoption or any other unplanned pregnancy questions. You can also get more information now by filling out our online form.   

Until then, continue reading this guide on how to reach an adoption professional.  

What is an adoption counselor?  

At American Adoptions, we refer to our adoption counselors as "adoption specialists" — because they provide much more than emotional counseling and support.

• When you call our agency at 1-800-ADOPTION, you’ll be set up with your own personal adoption specialist.

• He or she will work with you throughout your entire adoption journey.

• An adoption specialist is your educator and your advocate through every step of your adoption process, and they will be there for you even after your adoption is complete. 

“She was there for me when I didn’t have anybody, and she always knew just what to say,” Lindsey, a birth mother, said about her adoption specialist. “I did have a lot of concerns and fears, and she knew how to talk me through them. She’s someone that’s — even now, three months after I’ve had my baby — probably going to check in on me from time to time. She was just amazing, and I’m so glad that she’s in my life.”  

You can read and watch more of Lindsey’s adoption story here. 

What do adoption counselors do?  

Your American Adoptions adoption specialist will walk you through each stage of the process. It would be impossible to list all of the ways they can help, but a few key roles of an adoption counselor are:  

• Helpinging you explore your options. An adoption specialist helps you to determine whether adoption is right for you. Not every woman who speaks with an adoption specialist at American Adoptions ultimately chooses adoption for her baby, and that’s completely okay. Adoption isn’t for everyone. Our adoption professionals provide counseling for “giving a baby up” for adoption, even if you end up deciding on a different unplanned pregnancy option. If you are still unsure of your unplanned pregnancy options and which one is the right path for you, your adoption specialist will help you to work through your thoughts and emotions to determine which choice is the right one in your individual situation.    

• Assisting you in making your open adoption plan. An adoption specialist or adoption social worker helps you to determine what kind of adoptive relationship you want. Many women who pursue adoption in the present day do so because it’s very different than it has been in the past. By choosing open adoption, you will be able to have a relationship with your child as they grow up. You’ll always know how they’re doing, that they’re happy, and that they misunderstand your reasons for choosing adoption. Open adoption means you get to remain in your baby’s life and have a relationship with them that can evolve. Your adoption specialist will help you determine what you want your post-adoption relationship to look like and help you create a plan that makes that vision a reality.  

• Searching for the perfect adoptive family. An adoption case worker helps you to find the perfect adoptive family. At American Adoptions, your adoption specialist will work with you to understand what you’re looking for in ideal adoptive parents for your child. She’ll help you consider factors like where you envision your baby growing up, whether you want your child to have siblings, and more. Once she knows what you’re looking for, she’ll help you look through adoptive family profiles until you find the perfect fit.  

• Managing every step of the process. An adoption social worker coordinates your adoption process. From arranging communication between you and your chosen adoptive family to arranging financial assistance for adoption, your adoption specialist will make sure that you’re taken care of throughout the entire adoption process. She will contact your attorneys to make sure all legal aspects of the adoption are handled, she will help you to navigate adoption financial assistance and learn what you are eligible for, and more.  

• Offering emotional support, whenever you need it. An adoption agency worker provides adoption counseling services. Adoption is an emotionally challenging process. While it can be the best decision you ever make for yourself and your baby, it’s going to require a great deal of sacrifice on your part — and a great deal of grief as you mourn the loss of your child. This is why counseling for “giving a baby up” for adoption is so important. Your adoption professional will work with you to process these emotions and to move forward in healthy ways.  

With over 30 years of experience as one of the largest national domestic infant adoption agencies in the United States, you can trust our adoption professionals will provide the support you need. We have seen and helped birth mothers in nearly every situation. With thousands of successful placements, we are confident we can help you as well.  

“Even though adoption was the hardest decision I will ever make in my life, American Adoptions also made it the best decision I’ve ever made in my life,” birth mother Erika said. “Even to this day, I know that every time I call [my adoption specialist] Shannon I feel like I am her only birth mom that she has to deal with, because she has no problem talking to me and listening to everything I have to say.” 

You can read testimonials and stories from birth mothers just like you, who have used our services in the past to complete successful adoptions through our agency. You can also contact us at any time to get the beneficial services our professionals can provide.   

How can I stay in contact with my adoption counselor?  

In most cases, American Adoptions can provide you with several free cell phone options* to stay in touch with your adoption professional and support system throughout the adoption process:  

• We may be able to provide you with a free cell phone for adoption for texting or calls at no cost to you.  

• We may be able to provide you with pre-paid phone cards.  

• We may be able to provide you with a separate cell phone for adoption if you need one to protect your privacy while you create your adoption plan.  

• We may be able to help you pay bills for your current cell phone service, which would allow you to keep your current phone and number, or help you find an affordable phone or data plan.

• We may be able to help you turn your phone and/or service back on, which would allow you to keep your current phone and number.  

Our adoption professionals are available 24/7, and it’s important to us that you can reach us on a reliable phone if you need anything at all. We also want to help you find a phone and service plan that you will be able to maintain and afford after your pregnancy.  

You can reach your adoption coordinator by calling or texting during the adoption process. Your privacy and confidentiality are important to us, and so we want to help you find the right method of contact and service plan for you. We know that some women are more comfortable with texting than calling and are happy to provide you with a cell phone for texting during adoption.  

To learn more about how we can help you keep in touch with your adoption professional and provide counseling for adoption throughout the process, reach out to us by calling 1-800-ADOPTION or you can get free adoption information by filling out our online form.   

*Disclaimer: State, federal and local laws determine American Adoptions’ and an adoptive family’s ability to provide you with financial assistance and also determine how much financial assistance can be made available to you. Please talk to your adoption professional to learn whether we can help cover your phone costs during your adoption process. 

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