Specialized Support for Adoptive Families
Adoption is beautiful — and it can also be incredibly challenging. Many adopted children carry the effects of early deprivation, neglect, or trauma that manifest as behavioral and emotional difficulties that can leave families feeling overwhelmed, confused, and alone.
Sally began her career as an adoption specialist with Mecklenburg County over 30 years ago. Since then, she has worked with hundreds of adoptive families and is widely recognized as Charlotte's leading adoption and attachment therapist. She was trained by the Jordan Institute for Families at UNC-Chapel Hill and has served as an expert witness in juvenile court proceedings on adoption and attachment matters.
Common Challenges Adoptive Families Face
- Behavioral problems that seem "out of nowhere"
- A child who resists bonding or seems unable to connect
- Extreme tantrums, defiance, or aggression
- Difficulty at school — behavioral and academic
- A diagnosis of Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)
- The feeling that "nothing is working"
- Strain on the parents' relationship and family system
Sally's Approach
Sally understands that most of these behaviors aren't "bad behavior" — they're survival strategies developed in response to early adversity. Her approach combines psychoeducation for parents, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy for the child-parent relationship, and neurofeedback to address the neurological impacts of early trauma.
This combination is unique to Sally's practice and has helped families who felt they had run out of options.
For Professionals Referring Adoptive Families
If you're a pediatrician, family lawyer, social worker, or therapist who works with adoptive families, Sally welcomes referrals and is happy to collaborate on cases. Visit our referral page →