You Listen to Your Child’s Story but Who Listens to Yours?

Support and therapy for adoptive parents - not just the child - because your mental health matters too

get the suppport you need

Is adoption feeling harder than you expected? This is where your ‍story gets heard too. ‍

Therapy for adoptive parents who do everything to help change how their child feels and are starting to realise they need to change how they feel about themselves. For caring, capable adults who take care of everyone else — yet feel that taking care of themselves is a selfish thing to do.

I help you understand why you have arrived at the place you are, and why you are feeling the way that you are — making sense of it without blame or judgment, so you can begin to change what isn't working for you.

Feeling struggle doesn’t mean you are failing

A mum and adopted daughter holding hands, with one wearing a teal knitted sweater and the other wearing a blue jacket. The background shows an outdoor setting.

It just means you’re human in an incredibly complex role. Becoming an adoptive parent changes what “normal” looks like, and that’s okay. Adoption training helps, but it can’t fully prepare you for the real, lived experience of adoption.

Finding yourself here now means that you have the self awareness to know you need some support and the courage to find it.

EXPLORE ONLINE THERAPY

You found your way here — welcome

Join my newsletter for adoptive parents where every week I’ll drop into your inbox with something helpful for you — a reflection, a small resource, or just a reminder that your experience is valid and you’re not on your own in it.

“Becoming an adoptive parent can bring more than just positive new experiences — it can also awaken old stories, fears, and challenges you didn’t anticipate.”

- SOPHIE LONGDEN

A therapist sitting in her office, beside her laptop, looking out of the window wearing a navy blue top.

Hi, I’m Sophie

I’m a therapist for adoptive parents who understands the complexity that adoption brings – because I’m an adoptive parent too.

I know what it's like to try your hardest and still feel like you're getting it wrong. Appearing capable, getting on with the day while underneath managing emotional overload, guilt and feeling the pressure to hold everything together.

My clients are high functioning, caring and capable, working hard to put their child's and their family's needs at the centre, whilst often overlooking their own feelings and needs.

I combine lived experience with evidence based therapy to help you understand why adoption may feel harder than you expected — and why that makes complete sense.

Clients describe our work as being heard in a way that allowed them to say things they have never said out loud about how they feel about themselves, adoption and the life they are now living.

MEET SOPHIE

How we can work together

A therapist sitting at her desk with a laptop, about to do a client therapy session, with a bookshelf in the background.

Using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and EMDR Therapy, I support you in understanding your own story - with compassion - so you can move from stress and struggle to greater self confidence and strength.

The best place to start is here and now.

LEARN HOW

  • Gratitude Notes from Clients

    “I just wanted to really thank you for the work that you have done with me. You have helped me immensely to change my thoughts, my feelings and my life and to see things in a much more positive way. Thank you so much!”

    — 1:1 THERAPY CLIENT

  • Gratitude Notes from Clients

    “This has been the best therapy I have had - extremely useful. You have been brilliant and everything has been highly relevant to what I needed.”

    — 1:1 THERAPY CLIENT

  • Gratitude Notes from Clients

    “I feel the therapy I received was excellent and I am more happy in myself than I have been for a long time. Sophie instantly made me feel comfortable and her hard work is very much appreciated.”

    — 1:1 THERAPY CLIENT

Resources for learning and growth

Here you’ll find practical tools, reflections, and exercises to help you learn and grow from the inside out. Each resource is designed to build your confidence, strengthen your self-trust and give you a boost of kindness.