Support for All Members of the Foster Care and Adoption Constellation
Celia Center is a non-profit organization based in greater Los Angeles.
Adopt Salon Constellation West Los Angeles
Pre/Post Foster Care & Adoption Constellation Support Group – NOW ON ZOOM – ALL INVITED FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY
A monthly open support group for all members of the Adoption Constellation: First-Birth Parents, Adoptees, Former Foster Youth, Foster Parents, Legal Guardians, Adoptive Parents and Kinship Families. $20 Suggested Donation
A place for the Adoption & Foster Care community to come together to share stories, thoughts, feelings, ideas, receive psycho-education, process grief/loss, learn about search and reunion, and build strong bonds/connections.
Facilitated by Adoption Psychotherapist, Adult Adoptee Jeanette Yoffe, MFT.
In 2014, a study was conducted HERE on the efficacy of this group.
93% of the participants agreed or strongly agreed that:
The support group increased their knowledge and provided a safe place for them to share stories, thoughts, feelings, and ideas.
87% of the participants agreed or strongly agreed that:
The support group provided opportunities for them to process grief and loss.
The support group provided them with opportunities to build strong bonds and connections with others.
91% of the participants agreed or strongly agreed that:
They are able to understand themselves better because of this group.
Participants reported:
1. I understand my adopted daughter much more since coming to this group.
2. I learned priceless information regarding the emotional well-being of the adoption and foster community.
3. I am better able to understand, relate, and talk to an adoptee and foster youth.
4. I have learned how to approach an upcoming reunion.
5. I am developing better relationships and intimacy with family.
7. I recommend this group to anyone in the experience of adoption and foster care!
For a List of
RECOMMENDED BOOKS FOR ALL MEMBERS OF THE FOSTER CARE & ADOPTION CONSTELLATION:

Open Adoption Through A Father’s Eyes By Phil Weglarz
While each adoption story centers upon each man’s relationship with a particular child, I’ve been equally curious about how men navigate relationships with other family members in open adoptions.

Hints For Building Relationships With Birth Parents by Carole Lieber-Wilkins L.M.F.T.
Establishing and maintaining a relationship with birth parents during the process of adopting can be an intimidating, sometimes frustrating experience. It can also become one of the most enriching and rewarding experiences you will ever have.

National Foster Care Awareness Month May 2021
We are Seeking Creative Artists Ages 13+
We are looking for paintings, sketches, photographs, sculpture, film, poetry, jewelry, any piece of art created by foster youth “showing the experience”.
Artists’ pieces will be on display in the VIRTUAL exhibit at our LIVE EVENT on Saturday, May 15th.
Trauma-Informed Support Two-Part Video Series
2 Hours of Continuing Education
• Watch the Video Modules
• Take the Test
• Receive Certificate of Completion!!!
Learn How Trauma & Underlying STRESS Impact Brain and Behavior. Gain a deeper understanding of how to reach the hearts of children who seem unreachable. Discover simple, field-tested, proven-effective ways to help high ACE’s* children succeed. (*adverse childhood experiences)
CEU - Post-Adoption Transitional Support Video Series
5 Hours of Continuing Education
• Watch the Video Modules
• Take the Test
• Receive Certificate of Completion!!!
Summary
The courses were designed to help parents and professionals understand the general experiences children may exhibit in adoption-related challenges that identify losses, understand the importance of attachment, and explore common questions for all adopted persons.
Goals
- Provide points that all adoptees need their parents to understand.
- Educate about primary challenges children will experience at each stage of development.
- Understand how trauma impacts the brain, behavior and overall development.
Celia Center Inc is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, CAMFT Provider #121492. The target audience is the following: educators, teachers, health providers, licensed professionals in the community: LMFT’s, LCSW’s, LPCCs, and/or LEP’s.
CEU Certificates are awarded to licensed professionals at the conclusion of the training. Course evaluations are completed before the awarding of CEU’s and Certificates.
Continuing Education Hours:
This course does meet the qualifications for One Hour of Continuing Education Credit for the California Board of Registered Nurses, Psychologists, LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Meet Jeanette Yoffe
Executive Director of the Celia Center, Inc.
Psychotherapist and Adult Foster Alum/Adoptee
Jeanette’s desire to become a child therapist with a special focus on adopted and foster care issues derived from her own experience of being adopted and moving through the foster care system in New York City. Her personal experience has informed her education and provided insight into the unique stresses involved with these issues. Because of Jeanette’s life experience she can more easily connect and relate to the children and teens she works with. She is an exceptional child-care worker who is dedicated to helping each of her clients reach their full potential through mental health therapy and make the difficult journey from despair towards resiliency and hope.
Contact Celia Center
Ask a question or book an appointment with the form below.