"Adoption is a fundamental, life-altering event.
Every loss in adoption must be grieved. The losses in adoption, however, are difficult to mourn in a society where adoption is seen as a problem-solving event filled with joy. "
~Deborah N. Silverstein, Sharon Kaplan
Genetic Attractions (GA) happens when an individual finds knowingly or unknowingly biological relatives later in life and has a strong, intense feelings towards their birth relatives whom they have been separated from by adoption. It takes the form of an overpowering, almost electrical grip of emotion, associated with an inability to keep away from the other person including the need to touch, to spend time together, talk and share.
Genetic Sexual Attraction (GSA) occurs when a sexual relationship results from these attractions. When the desire to consummate the relationship enters the equation, genetic attraction becomes genetic sexual attraction.
Genetic Attraction of Genetic Sexual Attraction can happen between a close blood relative usually includes father, mother, brother and sister, aunt, uncle, niece and nephew but may also extend to first cousins, step parents and step brothers and sisters. It can be heterosexual or homosexual encounter. When this phenomenon occurs an experience of an overwhelming and complicated rush of emotions and an almost irresistible sense of falling in love is often reported. Some experts say that at least 50% of these reunions have experience GA/GSA. However due to the taboos that surround the phenomenon, the actual rate of occurrence is impossible to determine.
Finding therapist who understands and not judges the emotional and physical exploration of GSA can significantly help. It is important for individuals to find a safe and nurturing place where they can feel free to share all their thoughts, hopes and wishes relating to GSA so they can begin to make sense of it all.
Art therapy can be a great resource for indiviuals who have found themselves in a genetic attraction relationship. Therapy can be provided by phone or skype for those who are not in proximity to come to the office.
"It is the feeling of LOVE that arises when you meet a natural relative, but dont recognise them in the proper confines of that relationship. If a brother and sister have grown up, in seperate households, they have not ever developed a normal sibling relationship, because they have not lived together as such. If, after having lived seperately, they suddenly meet each other, as man and woman, or boy and girl, there is a flood of LOVE that overwhelms them, and not being practiced in using this love towards each other, not knowing what to do with it, they may tend to sexualise it."
Adoption is a fundamental, life-altering event. It transposes people from one location in the human mosaic into totally new configuration. In every type of adoption their is a certain commonality among families that they have undergone fundamental loss experiences beyond those that any family can normally expect.
Adoptive parents, whether through infertility, failed pregnancy, stillbirth, or the death of a child have suffered one of life’s greatest blows prior to adoption. Birthparents lose, perhaps forever, the child to whom they are genetically connected. Adoptee's suffer their first loss at the initial separation from the birth family.
Post adoption services has clearly demonstrated their are unique needs and challenges that the birth family, adopted children and their families face throughout their lifespan.
In addition, children adopted at older ages who have experienced abuse, neglect or some other early life trauma may be at additional risk for emotional and behavioral difficulties which require effective mental health interventions.
Art therapy can be extremely supportive for adults and children affected by adoption. The can become a language to say what might not always be easily spoken.
Art therapy can support attachment, healthy bonding, a place to grieve safely, decrease behavioral and emotional issues and discover new aspects self.
