Endorsements



"In my long career as a family therapist (and psychology professor) I have encountered only a few “natural healers”. People of such profoundly decent character who also possess a willingness to listen to the heartbreak of others without judgment and a fearless willingness to authentically reveal themselves and all their terrible human flaws and insecurities. For a long while now I have been following the communications of Deanna Doss Shrodes and I recognize that decency and that authenticity in everything she writes. While I am not a member of her faith, when I read her work, I always come away thinking, how fortunate are her congregants, (and how lucky are we all), to be graced with her writing and the genuine regard she displays, not only for the plight of the adoptee (those for whom she has a special influence) but for everyone in this whole wide world no matter who they are, what they believe, or how they find her. It is such a rare fine thing to be so full of love that one is able to do it with abandon and fearlessness and Deanna does it with both. Over and over I marvel at her ability to create, in the virtual world, a safe space for others to receive from her what can only be called a benediction. And, truly, it is only in that space of being completely “held” by another’s regard that all genuine healing occurs.” 

~ Corie Skolnick

California licensed marriage and family therapist and psychology instructor at California State University, Northridge and Moorpark College;  Author of the book, ORFAN.




"Deanna Doss Shrodes speaks in a brave, courageous voice to a world that is not always welcoming of difficult truths. Particularly when those truths challenge myths about not one, but two, stigmatized groups: adult adoptees and psychotherapy clients. Both of these groups have historically been silenced by shame. Adoptees are shamed into denying the existence of their biological origins, and preserving the bizarre illusion that origins are irrelevant. Psychotherapy clients are shamed into silence about their willingness to admit and heal their pain. And an adult adoptee who becomes a psychotherapy client? One wonders if there is a closet deep and dark enough in which she could hide.

But Deanna has not hidden. She has given us the honor of witnessing her inner journey as she walked through the valley of the shadow of death. What Deanna reveals in her blog is a rare, public glimpse into the process of psychotherapy at its deepest, most sacred level. By allowing us to walk with her, to see her in her rawest and most unpolished form, as well as in her luminescent beauty, is a gift for us all to treasure.

I deeply admire the clients who step through the doors of my office and take the risk to heal. Many times I have wished others could glimpse some of the intimate, breath-taking moments of healing I have been privileged to witness. But few people are skilled, courageous, and maybe just darn determined enough to bring these moments to the public eye. Deanna is one of those few.

Whether it is heart-soaring or heart-breaking, runny nosed or sparkle-eyed, Deanna shares it all. I am deeply grateful to Deanna for sharing these glimpses into the process of restoring her soul. And for feeling how mine has been restored, as well."

~ Karen Caffrey, LPC, JD



“Not every child who has been adopted will suffer long term adverse effects, but we can now assume that all children who have experienced severance from the maternal bond have experienced significant trauma. What we are learning from ground breaking neuroscientific studies regarding attachment and early childhood development dictates bold and open dialogue. Deanna Shrodes is one such voice among many emerging voices calling for compassionate legislation and challenging common misconceptions. I am grateful for her willingness to share her story and applaud her honesty in candidly depicting the often painful emotional journey of an adopted child.”

Bonnie Zello Martin, MEd, CACS, LCPC