Centers is a private, non-profit agency that has contracted with the state to provide services to families who have adopted children from the Texas foster care system here in Region 8 since 2012.  Every adopted child experiences the long-term effects of complex developmental trauma, which manifests in multiple struggles, and families are very often overwhelmed when trying to access appropriate resources to help their child heal from trauma.  Often traditional therapies are not effective, and non-traditional interventions are not covered by Medicaid or the family's private insurance.  Thanks to resources such as Interactive Metronome, Post Adoption services has been able to support families by providing much needed support and interventions.

 

Lisamarie Ray provides Interactive Metronome Therapy, a science-based movement program which has demonstrated effectiveness with wounded warriors to treat PTS and past trauma.  This brain training program helps with timing, attention, impulse control and regulation, as well as aggressive behavior, which so many of our adopted children struggle with.  Multiple Post Adopt families have utilized this service over the past several years with positive results.

 

In addition, Lisamarie has extensive experience working with foster and adoptive families, and provides parent training, geared toward individual family needs.  I have had families report that the parents have benefitted more from two weeks of parent training with Lisamarie, than through two years of counseling.  Staff understand relational neuroscience and how trauma affects the brain, and are able to equip parents with additional tools and sensory strategies for their parenting toolbox, supporting both parent and child.

 

The services they provide have helped so many adoptive families through Centers, and we hope to continue to utilize them in the future.-DW