Personalised Post Adoption Therapy: Supporting Amari’s Journey
Family Futures’ post adoption support for new families
At Family Futures, we understand that the adoption assessment is just the beginning of a family’s journey. Every child brings their own story and emotional needs, shaped by early life experiences. Our iAdopt post adoption support services are designed to help adoptive families navigate this important transition, offering tailored therapeutic care that nurtures healing, attachment, and confidence – the right support at the right time.
Through our integrated, trauma-informed approach, we help children and parents build stronger relationships and develop the tools they need to thrive together. The following case study illustrates how our specialist team supported one family during their first year after adoption.
Case Study: supporting Amari through personalised post adoption therapy
Background
Amari* was five years old when she was placed with her adoptive parents, Ben and Sofia, through Family Futures. Before being adopted, Amari had experienced several moves between carers and early experiences of neglect in her birth family. These early disruptions left her anxious and easily dysregulated, with difficulties trusting adults and managing transitions.
Assessment and Planning
Family Futures worked closely with Amari’s new adoptive parents and her local authority social worker to develop a bespoke therapeutic plan. This collaborative process ensured that support was embedded within the placement from the beginning, focusing on Amari’s unique emotional, behavioural, and sensory needs.
How therapy helped Amari and her family
Amari attended weekly therapy sessions alongside her parents. These joint sessions were essential in strengthening their attachment and helping Ben and Sofia understand Amari’s behaviours within the context of her early trauma.
The intervention combined several evidence-based therapies:
- Sensory integration therapy with an occupational therapist – addressing Amari’s heightened sensitivity to touch and movement, which often led to distress in daily life.
- Attachment-focused play therapy – using play-based approaches to help Amari express her feelings safely and build trust with his new parents.
- Life story and transition work – helping Amari and her parents make sense of her experiences and adoption journey in a creative, age-appropriate way, supporting the development of her identity and sense of belonging.
Support for parents
Ben and Sofia also received ongoing support and guidance from Family Futures’ multidisciplinary team. Through parent sessions, they learned how trauma can influence children’s development and how to respond therapeutically to Amari’s emotional needs. These sessions gave them the confidence and tools to provide consistent, nurturing care at home.
Outcomes
Over time, Amari became more settled and secure. Her ability to regulate emotions improved, and she began seeking comfort from her parents when distressed – something she had previously been unable to do. Ben and Sofia shared that they felt more confident in understanding and supporting their daughter, and the family described a growing sense of connection, trust, and stability.
To learn more about how we can support your family:
- Find out how to start your adoption journey with iAdopt
- Read our latest Ofsted report – we’ve been rated Outstanding for the last 10 years
- Read our research – evidence for an effective therapeutic intervention for adopted children recovering from trauma
- If you are already an adoptive parent, foster carer or kinship carer, find out how our complex trauma service can support you
