Counseling services we provide for expectant parents or
birth parents who have placed a child for adoption 

Below is an explanation of the types of counseling services we provide to expectant parents as well as birth parents who have placed a child for adoption. All of our counseling services are available free, at no cost to you, and include support for a lifetime.

If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy or unwanted pregnancy, you do not have to figure this out on your own. Take some time to learn more about the options available to you by our unplanned pregnancy options page and calling or texting us anytime at 703-973-0129 to speak with one of our friendly, certified pregnancy counselors. 

If you are pregnant and uncertain you are ready or willing to be a parent, or if you need help, please call or text us anytime, 24/7 at (703) 973-0129 to speak with one of our certified counselors to learn more about the help that is available to you. 

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Pregnancy Counseling

In addition to counseling, our individual counseling and case management includes but is not limited to:

  • Intake and birth parent assessment
  • Pregnancy options including plans for parenting and adoption
  • Pregnancy related stress or circumstances
  • Access to 24/7 on call support
  • Well thought out and informed decision-making regarding plans for baby/child
  • Resources available to support parents and families
  • Providing opportunities for family meetings or discussions surrounding plans for baby (when requested)

Pre-Placement Counseling 

If you express a desire to make an adoption plan, you will have access to pre-placement counseling.

  • Informed and uncoerced decision making process
  • Resources available to provide support to birth parents
  • Exploring feelings and making plans for openness in adoption, child birth, hospital experience and preparing for emotions that may follow following birth
  • Discussing adoption with friends and family
  • Stress management and processing emotions relating to the pregnancy and making an adoption plan
  • Consultation with an attorney (optional but recommended)
  • If you request support during the birth, or during my hospital stay, you counselor will do everything possible to be present during that time.  If not, the on-call worker will respond to the request until your counselor can be there. You will not have to do this alone. 

Post Placement Counseling 

If you make an adoption plan for my child, you will receive post placement counseling and support for a lifetime at no cost.

Individual counseling focused on grief/loss, understanding the role(s) of birth parents, residual feelings and processing surrounding the decision to place for adoption, communicating with support system regarding the decision to place for adoption, referrals for additional services, etc.  In addition, post placement counseling includes: 

  • 12 steps to Birth Parent Grief Workbook
  • Monthly birth parent support group (Knee to Knee Certified)
  • Assistance with maintaining openness in the adoption and advocacy to ensure openness agreement is abided by
  • Annual Birth parent events
  • Cost/Travel expenses associated with meeting with birth parent in community settings, as requested
  • Lifetime support and resource

 

Certified support you can trust for a lifetime

Knee to Knee

The national standard for ethical post placement care for birth mothers.

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National Council for Adoption

Striving to meet the diverse needs of all those touched by adoption through global advocacy, education, research, legislative action, and collaboration.

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Licensed Child Placing Agency- Virginia Department of Social Services

Catholic Charities Pregnancy and Adoption Services is a licensed child placing agency by the Department of Social Services in the State of Virginia.

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