Recognizing the Past to Facilitate Healing in the Future: The ALLOW Model

Abstract

It is estimated that the United States has one of the highest rates of adoption worldwide which continues to grow. However, much of the available research focuses on children and adolescent adoptees. Clinical studies show that adult adoptees have a higher probability of experiencing mental health concerns and have trouble with stress management. Given their developmental stage, an empowering evidence-based strategy may assist with their life journey and promote self-development and acceptance. The following article outlines a therapeutic technique using the acronym ALLOW. ALLOW stands for Acknowledge, Listen, Learn, Observe, and Write. The author introduces the acronym along with clear instructions on how to implement and problem-solve any challenges. Additionally, ideas for evaluation and studies are discussed.

Keywords

adoptees adult letter writing self-development growth mental health

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

American Counseling Association (2014). 2014 ACA code of ethics. https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/ethics/2014-aca-code-of-ethics.pdf.

Darnell, F. J., Johansen, A. B., Tavakoli, S., & Brugnone, N. (2017). Adoption and identity experiences among adult transnational adoptees: A qualitative study. Adoption Quarterly, 20(2), 155–166.

DeBetta

(2023). Adult adoptees and writing to heal: Migrating toward wholeness. Brill.

Garbisch

A. J.

(2021). Constructing identity by writing roots into life: A poetic-narrative autoethnography. Journal of Poetry Therapy, 34(1), 37–47. https://doi.org/10.1080/08893675.2020.1846865

Groza

Bunkers

K. M.

(2014). Adoption policy and evidence-based domestic adoption practice: A comparison of Romania, Ukraine, India, Guatemala, and Ethiopia. Infant Mental Health Journal, 35(2), 160–171. https://doi.org/10.1002/imhj.21439

Kumsta

Schlotz

Golm

Moser

Kennedy

Knights

Kreppner

Maughan

Rutter

Sonuga-Barke

(2017). HPA axis dysregulation in adult adoptees twenty years after severe institutional deprivation in childhood. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 86(1), 196–202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.09.021

McNichol

(2016). Who am I? Writing to find myself. Journal of Arts and Humanities, 5(9), 36–40. https://doi.org/10.18533/journal.v5i9.990

Melero

Sánchez-Sandoval

(2017). Mental health and psychological adjustment in adults who were adopted during their childhood: A systematic review. Children and Youth Services Review, 77, 188–196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.05.006

Monteiro

R. P.

Coelho

G. L. D. H.

Hanel

P. H.

de Medeiros

E. D.

da Silva

P. D. G.

(2022). The efficient assessment of self-esteem: Proposing the brief Rosenberg self-esteem scale. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 17(2), 931–947. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-021-09936-4

10.

Munoz

R. T.

Hoppes

Hellman

C. M.

Brunk

K. L.

Bragg

J. E.

Cummins

(2018). The effects of mindfulness meditation on hope and stress. Research on Social Work Practice, 28(6), 696–707. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049731516674319

11.

Norwood

K. M.

Baxter

L. A.

(2011). “Dear birth mother”: Addressivity and meaning-making in online adoption-seeking letters. Journal of Family Communication, 11(3), 198–217. https://doi.org/10.1080/15267431.2011.554751

12.

Parkes

C. H.

Mintz

(2021). Finding my voice: A qualitative exploration into the perceived impact of person-centred counsellor training upon counsellors who were adopted as a baby. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 21(4), 992–1007. https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12412

13.

Pascual-Leone

(2018). How clients “change emotion with emotion”: A programme of research on emotional processing. Psychotherapy Research, 28(2), 165–182. https://doi.org/10.1080/10503307.2017.1349350

14.

Pavlacic

J. M.

Buchanan

E. M.

Maxwell

N. P.

Hopke

T. G.

Schulenberg

S. E.

(2019). A meta-analysis of expressive writing on posttraumatic stress, posttraumatic growth, and quality of life. Review of General Psychology, 23(2), 230–250. https://doi.org/10.1177/1089268019831645

15.

Pennebaker

J. W.

Smyth

J. M.

(2016). Opening up by writing it down: How expressive writing improves health and eases emotional pain. Guilford Publications.

16.

Robertson

(2001). Drawing a blank: Art therapy for adolescent adoptees. American Journal of Art Therapy, 39(3), 74.

17.

Ruini

Mortara

C. C.

(2022). Writing technique across psychotherapies—from traditional expressive writing to new positive psychology interventions: A narrative review. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 52(1), 23–34. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10879-021-09520-9

18.

Sohal

Singh

Dhillon

B. S.

Gill

H. S.

(2022). Efficacy of journaling in the management of mental illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Family Medicine and Community Health, 10(1), e001154. https://doi.org/10.1136/fmch-2021-001154

19.

Wang

Lee

M. Y.

Yates

(2019). From past trauma to post-traumatic growth: The role of self in participants with serious mental illnesses. Social Work in Mental Health, 17(2), 149–172. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332985.2018.1517401

20.

Wong

Y. J.

Owen

Gabana

N. T.

Brown

J. W.

McInnis

Toth

Gilman

(2018). Does gratitude writing improve the mental health of psychotherapy clients? Evidence from a randomized controlled trial. Psychotherapy Research, 28(2), 192–202. https://doi.org/10.1080/10503307.2016.1169332

21.

Zollars

Poirier

T. I.

Pailden

(2019). Effects of mindfulness meditation on mindfulness, mental well-being, and perceived stress. Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning, 11(10), 1022–1028. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cptl.2019.06.005