One-on-one counseling

We recognize that as you go through life, there may be periods of time in which extra support related to placing a baby or child for adoption is needed. If this happens, our adoption competent outpatient counselors are here for you, for as long as you need. Email counselor@chomepgh.org to get started. This counseling is available regardless of how long ago you placed your baby. Counseling can also address needs that arise in adoption reunions of children and adults and our skilled counselors can support you through this.

If you did not work with The Children’s Home, but placed a baby though an attorney or other agency, counseling services are still available for you for a small fee. Call or text us at 412-736-2908 or email us at birthparentspecialist@chomepgh.org to get started.

This counseling is available regardless of how long ago you placed your baby. Counseling scholarships are available if you need help paying for the counseling services.

LEARN More About Counseling Services

 

Birthparent Support Group & Events

Our birthparent specialists look forward to seeing you at our support group and events! The groups and events are a safe place where birthparents can meet and share their experiences. The groups and events are free of charge and open to anybody, whether or not you have worked with The Children’s Home before. Some groups are more focused on support and others exist to celebrate who you are.

We offer:

  • Support groups several times per year
  • Mother’s Day dinner event
  • Holiday party
  • Full-day summer retreat

Support Groups

 

Contact birthparentspecialist@chomepgh.org for more information.

The birthparent groups & events are open to:

  • Birthparents who haven’t decided what they are going to do
  • Birthparents who have decided to place their baby for adoption
  • Birthparents who have placed their baby for adoption, recently or many years in the past
  • Close family members and friends of birthmothers and birthfathers

Some birthparents may feel uncomfortable attending a group, but still want to talk with another birthparent one-on-one. If you prefer this, we are happy to make arrangements for you to do so.

For information on Birthparent Support Group & Events, call or text us at 412-736-2908 or email us at birthparentspecialist@chomepgh.org.

 

Birthparent Resources

The Children’s Home’s adoption staff recommends various books and websites to birthparents who have placed a baby for adoption, are in the midst of the adoption process, or who are trying to decide whether placing their baby for adoption is the right choice. These sources are reliable and offer non-biased information and support.

Books

  • “Dear Birthmother” by Kathleen Silber and Phylis Speedlin
  • “The Open Adoption Experience-A Complete Guide for Adoptive and Birth Families” by Lois Ruskai Melina
  • “Because I Loved You: A Birthmother’s View of Open Adoption”Patricia A. Dischler
  • “The Third Choice: A Woman’s Guide to Placing a Child for Adoption”Gail Mosconi and Leslie Foge

You may also visit any of the Carnegie Libraries for great books listed in Pregnancy Nonfiction.

Websites

Open Adoption Resources and Support

Offers Retreats and Support for Birthparents