Educational Webinars

Join an upcoming Holt webinar or view recordings of previous webinars! All events are held remotely via Zoom and are part of the ongoing education we offer adoptive families.

Upcoming Webinars

Supporting Sibling Relationships in Adoption: Nurturing All Your Children

01/09/2025 at 10:00 am

Dr. Jana Hunsley from Project 1025, will present Supporting Sibling Relationships in Adoption: Nurturing all your children.

Many caregivers ask the question, “what about my other children?,” when it comes to how adoption affects their families. In this class, we will deepen our understanding of the needs of children already in the home through discussing research evidence specifically on this family role. Plus, we will learn new, effective communication and connection strategies that not only meet the needs of resident children but also meet the needs of the whole family. Caregivers will be equipped with proven strategies that have led to decreased stress and increased satisfaction and connection in adoptive families.

Dr. Jana Hunsley is a psychologist who offers consulting, training, coaching, and counseling for families and professionals involved in foster care and adoption. Jana is also the co-founder of Camp Together, a nonprofit offering therapeutic family camps for families impacted by trauma. Jana received her doctorate in experimental psychology from the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at Texas Christian University where her research focused on understanding and meeting the needs of every member of adoptive and foster families through post-adoption supportive services. Over the years, Jana has worked in various clinical settings as a therapist with children and youth who have experienced trauma, including residential treatment, institutional care, schools, child welfare, and juvenile detention. Jana credits her passion for this work to her siblings who were adopted when she was a teenager.

01/09/2025 at 10:00 am

Recorded Webinars


Understanding Grief and Loss in Adoption This webinar explores grief and loss in adoption and delves into the impact of grief and loss on adoptive children, examining how these complex emotions manifest in distinctive ways for adoptees. This webinar explores the stages of grief and highlights the specific behaviors and needs at each developmental stage: pre-school through young adult. Additionally, this webinar discusses practical strategies for adoptive parents to support their child's emotional development and stabilization within the family. By understanding grief and loss, we can foster resilience and healing, ensuring a supportive adjustment and stronger bonds within adoptive families. Speaker: Samantha Sutherland, MSW Samantha is a social worker for Holt International and has over 15 years of experience working with children and families. Samantha began her career as a middle school teacher before earning a master’s degree in social work from The University of Texas at Austin. She also has experience working with Child Protective Services, private foster agencies and in community counseling. Samantha is passionate about helping families and children find stability and happiness. Register Here

Understanding Grief and Loss in Adoption

This webinar explores grief and loss in adoption and delves into the impact of grief and loss on adoptive children, examining how these complex emotions manifest in distinctive ways for adoptees. This webinar explores the stages of grief and highlights the specific behaviors and needs at each developmental stage: pre-school through young adult. Additionally, this webinar discusses practical strategies for adoptive parents to support their child's emotional development and stabilization within the family. By understanding grief and loss, we can foster resilience and healing, ensuring a supportive adjustment and stronger bonds within adoptive families.

Speaker: Samantha Sutherland, MSW
Samantha is a social worker for Holt International and has over 15 years of experience working with children and families. Samantha began her career as a middle school teacher before earning a master’s degree in social work from The University of Texas at Austin. She also has experience working with Child Protective Services, private foster agencies and in community counseling. Samantha is passionate about helping families and children find stability and happiness.

adoptive parents receiving parent counseling with their adopted child

Parent Support & Coaching

Holt’s post-adoption team offers short-term coaching and can refer you to mental health resources. We also provide ongoing education for adoptive families and professionals on best practices for parenting adoptees.

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