Safe Spaces for Transracial Adoptees with Cameron Lee Small, MS, LPCC

On this episode, I’m sitting down with Cameron Lee Small who is a licensed clinical counselor, national trainer, and adoptee advocate. As an adoptive parent myself, this topic is very near and dear to my heart, so I am so thrilled to have Cameron share his invaluable insights.

Cameron's personal journey as an international adoptee from Korea informs his impactful work today. Through his private practice, Therapy Redeemed, as well as his upcoming book, The Adoptee's Journey: From Loss and Trauma to Healing and Empowerment, Cameron addresses the intersection of adoption, mental health, and social justice.

Throughout our discussion, Cameron and I explore the complexities of adoption, from the need for safe spaces for transracial adoptees to the importance of normalizing conversations about therapy and mental health support. Cameron's dedication to elevating adoptee voices shines through as he shares his experiences and offers guidance for supporting children and families who are in the world of adoption.

We also discuss the challenges that adoptees often face in finding their voices and identities, the significance of acknowledging their experiences, and the incredibly important role of caregivers and professionals in creating nurturing environments. Cameron's insights into supporting children in their journey towards permanency and self-discovery offer valuable guidance for anyone involved in the adoption process.

From his own journey of self-discovery to his advocacy work today, Cameron embodies the essence of being "by their side." His commitment to supporting adoptees and fostering understanding and empathy within the adoption community is truly inspiring, and I am so appreciative toward his willingness to share his personal story on the show!

Highlights:

[2:36] - Cameron explains that he is a Korean American adoptee and is a licensed counselor working with adoptees and their families.

[4:07] - Cameron adds that he works primarily with adult adoptees as a clinician, author, speaker, and trainer.

[5:38] - Cameron primarily works with transracial international adoptees and some former foster youth.

[6:33] - It’s crucial to acknowledge a child's life before adoption and to normalize therapy for adopted children.

[9:19] - Therapy ultimately benefits everyone and normalizes processing the lifelong impact of adoption.

[11:48] - Cameron highlights the importance of recognizing cultural betrayal trauma and open conversations about the complexities of adoption.

[14:36] - Cameron discusses his upcoming book The Adoptee’s Journey.

[16:06] - Connecting with other adoptees inspired Cameron to create safe spaces, support, and foster belonging.

[19:35] - Cameron shares how a supervisor's openness about being a Korean adoptee inspired him to explore his heritage.

[21:12] - Cameron further explains how that conversation with his supervisor was a turning point for him.

[23:12] - Cameron points out how safe and brave spaces evolve through life; his individuation phase led to isolation and concealment.

[26:12] - Advocates play a mentor-like role, offering support and guidance akin to Yoda guiding Luke Skywalker.

[28:02] - Hear how Cameron closely examined storytelling in funerals, police stations, and late-night talk shows, emphasizing the need for safe spaces.

[31:56] - Cameron emphasizes nurture to aid children's well-being, highlighting the important role of actively listening.

[33:35] - Cameron stresses adoptee-driven narratives and awareness of adoptee consciousness stages.

[36:13] - I discuss aiding foster children in developing their voices and understanding adoptee consciousness stages.

[37:16] - Learn about Darla Henry's 3-5-7 model, aiding children's transitions to permanency through structured questioning.

[39:00] - In supporting children towards permanency, it’s crucial to be patient.

[42:06] - Cameron argues that children want to be included in their own narratives.

[44:53] - Cameron reflects on cultural perceptions of adoption, likening it to acknowledging separations such as divorce.

[47:08] - Cameron acknowledges individuals who influenced his journey and highlights the importance of spousal support in his book.

[49:51] - In closing, Cameron reflects on the intergenerational impact of adoption, especially regarding his daughter's questions about her Korean heritage.

Links & Resources:

Cameron Lee Small - The Adoptee’s Journey: From Loss and Trauma to Healing and Empowerment

Adoptee Consciousness Model

Learning How to be a Critical Consumer of Adoption Research by JaeRan Kim

Darla Henry’s 3-5-7 Model