In this episode of Family Matters we speak with Dr Julie Elliott, Clinical Director of Adoption UK’s Psychology and Therapy Hub (PATH), about what therapy really means for adoptive families, kinship carers, long-term foster carers, and adopted adults.

Julie shares insights from her decades of experience, busts common therapy myths, and explains why effective support isn’t about fixing people – it’s about understanding. They discuss PATH’s unique approach, which blends clinical expertise with lived experience, and how early support can make a real difference.

You'll also learn how to access PATH’s services and what to expect from the referral process.

📧 Contact PATH for a free 20-minute consultation:

Via our website https://www.adoptionuk.org/psychology-and-therapy-hub

or email referrals.path@adoptionuk.org.uk

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll explore therapeutic support for adopted adults.

In this episode, Sarah talks to Penny and Philippa, two adoptive parents and Adoption UK staff, about what it means to parent from a distance. They share honest, moving stories about keeping relationships alive when a child can no longer live at home, the impact of trauma, and the practical and emotional strategies they’ve used to stay connected through it all.

Call our information and support line: 0300 666 0006

Visit our information and support line page for open hours and more information.

Adopted, adopter, and social worker Fiona Wells joins us to share her powerful personal journey and why she founded PATCH - Passionate Adopters Targeting Change with Hope.

We discuss rising crisis levels among adoptive families, the failures of current support systems, and Fiona’s call for trauma-informed, compassionate change. She introduces the Impact Pathway - a new tool for understanding and planning for children’s recovery from trauma.

🔗 Learn more at adoptionuk.org and ourpatch.org.uk