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Eating Disorders
Do you need help understanding and working through an eating disorder? Whether it’s bulimia, anorexia, or some other disorder, I’m here to help.
Your friends may tell you to just change your eating habits, or to exercise more, or that you already look great. You may be hiding the truth from those closest to you – that it’s not just a food problem or a body image issue. Maybe you don’t even have a clue why you do the things that you do. I’m here to help you figure out your unique situation and work through it. Together, we can help you create healthier habits and change your life for the better.
What to expect during an Adoption Home Study
Adoption doesn’t just bring a child into your physical home. It expands and impacts your entire family and the lifestyles of every member of your household. Your current family will have profound impacts on your new family member. Likewise, the new member will impact each member of your current family differently. The intricacies of adoption and family dynamics dictate the need to dive deep and discuss very personal topics that may seem intrusive at times. The purpose of the home study is to cover as many relevant bases as possible to ensure that each placement is a good match for everyone involved.
A home study will review things like your childhood experiences, your childhood community, family traditions and values. Who was your support system when you were young? Who is in your support system now? Were you raised with a particular set of religious beliefs? Will you choose not to practice religion at all with your new family member? Who will be the disciplinarian in the home? Is there a smoker in the home? Is there an elder in the home? Do you have pets? What would you do if the child has allergies or extreme fears of the types of animals that you have? You will face questions like these and many others.
There will also be questions about diversity in your community, the nearest emergency services, whether you live in an apartment or a private home, and more. Will the child be homeschooled? How will you handle childcare? This kind of information assists the court in determining if there are adequate community resources and other accommodations for the child.
One last thing to be mindful of is the requirement of personal references. These people will provide information on the kind of parent they think you would be.
Each adoption home study is unique. The final report is usually no more than ten pages.
While you may feel like you are interviewing for the most important job of your life, you are still allowed to ask questions. I am here to walk with you through this journey. Ask me anything. There are no dumb questions.
© 2023 Debra Washington