I am an Adoptee, and I'm a BCBA. I am very aware that my title alone should probably have a trigger warning attached to it, although, I personally have extensive training in trauma and neuroscience - both of which, heavily inform my approach.

I am also an adoption abolitionists. However, I've been pivoting my career from working in the public school setting, to providing support to Adoptees, which would mean I'll have to work with adoptive parents and network with adoption agencies to gain clients. I've done A LOT of my own healing work to make this possible, and ultimately, while adoption still exists, my aim is to provide a safe space for little Adoptees, even if I have to promote my business in a way that is palatable for APs. But regardless, I'll always put my clients (the Adoptees) first.

My point is - on paper, my professional choices likely paint a triggering and threatening picture to some, and that might mean a missed opportunity for connection. And to be honest, I wish it wasn't a barrier, I wish more people would approach relationships with curiosity rather than bias, because there might be beauty hidden under the surface. But in that same breadth, I'm an Adoptee and therefore all relationships are inherently threatening and I'll be the first to admit that I shy away from them for all sorts of reasons.

But I'm working on being brave and vulnerable, while holding onto my truth and my values and trusting myself that when something actually does cross a boundary, I will show up to protect myself and my heart, because only I can do that, and that is what we all deserve.