Yellowbrick’s emphasis working with emerging or young adults with early developmental trauma has particular implications for working with those who are adopted. They may have experienced not only early losses or attachment difficulties but also problems in interpersonal relationships, conflict with their parents that is often displaced, various kinds of learning problems, associated medical or neurological problems, and struggles to learn and understand the complexities of their personal identity.

Yellowbrick has developed adoption-informed specific approaches to assessment and treatment for adopted young adults in consultation with Northstar Consulting Associates based in metropolitan New York. Northstar is a group of senior, expert professionals who have both personal experience of adoption and have spent decades tirelessly creating and offering clinical services to this population as well as attempting to affect public policy in support of adopted children and their families.

Yellowbrick’s multi-dimensional approach takes into account the internalized neurobiological, psychological, and social impact of these different areas in which adopted individuals often struggle. In adolescence and early adulthood the normative processes of separation from home and family, bodily changes, concerns around sexuality, and efforts to develop an understanding of their identities, abilities and interests, powerfully activate their vulnerabilities with regard to both actual and internalized experiences as an adopted person.

Yellowbrick’s adoption-specialized services include a comprehensive neurobiological assessment, in-depth individual psychotherapy, group treatment for adopted peers, family services, and collaboration with adoption specialists throughout the country.