Adoption counseling for expectant parents, why ethical treatment matters

Understanding Adoption Counseling for Expectant Parents

Adoption counseling plays a vital role in providing support, guidance, and impartial information to expectant parents. It is designed to empower them by helping them understand their rights and available options. Through this process, they can openly reflect on their emotions about both adoption and parenting. Below are some essential elements of adoption counseling.

  • Emotional Support
    Pregnancy can be an overwhelming experience, and adoption counseling offers a nonjudgmental environment to process emotions. When parents then consider adoption, additional complex emotions, such as fear, guilt, grief, and uncertainty often occur. 
  • Education on Options
    Parents are informed about all available options, including parenting, adoption, or guardianship, to ensure they make an informed and empowered choice. State adoption law will also be discussed to ensure that parents are informed of their rights and the responsibilities of their agency.
  • Non-Coercive Support
    Counselors should provide unbiased support, respecting the expectant parent’s autonomy and ensuring she doesn’t feel pressured toward adoption or any other option.
  • Practical Support
    Reasonable assistance regarding financial concerns such as medical care, housing, and legal processes related to adoption.
  • Post-Adoption Support
    Emotional support on post-adoption issues, such as ongoing grief counseling and navigating post placement relationships with the child and adoptive family.

Why Ethical Treatment Matters in Adoption Counseling

Ethics in adoption counseling is paramount to ensuring the dignity, autonomy, and well-being of expectant parents. The way expectant parents are treated during the adoption process significantly impacts their well-being, their child’s future, and their relationship with the adoptive family.  Here’s why ethical treatment matters:

  • Preserves the Parent’s Autonomy
    Ethical counselors respect the parents’ right to make their own decisions. They ensure they do not coerce or manipulate them into choosing adoption. 
  • Builds Trust and Transparency
    Honest discussions about the adoption process, the rights of all parties, and the potential challenges foster trust between the mother, father, the counselor, and prospective adoptive families.
  • Protects Against Exploitation
    Ethical practices prevent financial, emotional, or legal exploitation of vulnerable expectant mothers.
  • Ensures Informed Decision Making
    Providing complete and accurate information allows parents to make well-informed, thoughtful choices about their future and their child’s welfare.
  • Acknowledges Emotional Impact
    Recognizing adoption’s emotional toll can directly correlate to adequate support during the planning process and after placement.
  • Promotes Long-Term Well-Being
    An ethical approach ensures that decisions made by expectant parents are in their best interest, contributing to a better sense of emotional peace with the outcomes for all involved.

What to Look for in an Ethical Adoption Agency and Counselor

Expectant parents seeking adoption counseling should feel empowered to ask questions and seek professionals who:

  • Are non-profit, licensed and accredited agencies.  Ethical agencies will be forthcoming about the rights and responsibilities of all parties.  They will provide detailed information about their services.
  • Have certifications in counseling or experience in social work related to adoption.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to unbiased, compassionate care.
  • Focus on being child-centered and prioritize the child’s well-being.
  • Demonstrate cultural competency. Professionals should respect and understand diverse family structures, backgrounds, and cultural contexts.
  • Provide access to ongoing support services.

By researching these aspects and asking detailed questions, you can ensure the adoption process aligns with your values and provides the best possible outcomes for everyone involved.

Final Thoughts

Adoption counseling is not just about helping expectant parents decide on adoption; it’s about ensuring they feel heard, respected, and supported throughout their journey. By prioritizing ethical treatment and comprehensive counseling, it doesn’t take away the trauma of choosing to place a child for adoption. However, with ethical treatment and support from adoption professionals, parents can feel more empowered, honored, and loved, during and after adoption. Learn about ACI’s Lifelong Support and our alliance with On Your Feet Foundation for parents who have placed a child for adoption.

12.20.24 by Molly Berger, ACI Adoption Social Worker

Molly has been with Adoption Center of Illinois since October 2013 as a expectant parent counselor after graduating from the University of Iowa in 2013 with a BA in Social Work. After four years at ACI, Molly returned to her studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago and earned her MSW. After graduating in 2018, she returned to ACI as an expectant parent counselor as well as assisting in the domestic home study services program.