Live Webinar
In Person
Bridging Cultures: Supporting Transracial Adoptees and Their Families
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Bridging Cultures: Supporting Transracial Adoptees and Their Families
1.5 CE Hours
Intermediate
$0
Pricing
Information
Date & Time
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Location
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Oasis Ascent
122 600 W
Provo, Utah 84601
Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
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Describe clear understanding of identity concerns
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Recognize at least two strategies to help children honor all parts of their identity
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Demonstrate at least two strategies to guide parents to respond to their children with empathy and understanding
Educational Goal
The educational goal of this workshop is to increase participants’ understanding of the unique racial identity, cultural, and developmental needs of transracially adopted children and equip them with strategies to support healthy identity formation and belonging. To deepen participants’ awareness of transracial adoptees’ lived experiences and strengthen their capacity to create environments that affirm identity, promote resilience, and reduce cultural isolation. To help parents develop the skills and confidence to support their child’s racial identity, cultural connection, and sense of belonging throughout development.
Description
This presentation, Bridging Cultures: Supporting Transracial Adoptees and Their Families explores the unique challenges faced by transracially adopted children and offers practical, research-informed strategies to support their growth and well-being.
Key topics include identity formation, cultural disconnection, racial identity development, belonging, internalized racism, and the ongoing task of balancing multiple identities. The presentation highlights the importance of addressing racial discrimination directly, fostering resilience, and equipping children with effective coping strategies. Central to this process is proactive, informed support from adoptive parents.
Educating parents about racial and cultural awareness, and intentionally integrating a child’s heritage into daily life, helps lay the foundation for a strong and positive sense of identity. Building a diverse support network—including community connections and mentors who share the child’s background—further reinforces belonging and self-confidence.
Within the family system, open communication is essential. Encouraging honest, developmentally appropriate discussions about race, adoption, and identity strengthens trust and emotional safety.
The presentation also underscores the responsibility of therapists to cultivate cultural competence through ongoing education, self-reflection, and an awareness of each child’s cultural context.
By combining an understanding of identity-related challenges, addressing experiences of discrimination, supporting parents, and enhancing clinical cultural competence, this framework promotes a therapeutic environment that fosters the healthy development and long-term resilience of transracially adopted children.
Target Audience
- Addiction Professional
- Counselor
- Marriage & Family Therapist
- Psychologist
- Social Worker
Presenters
Reggie Wilson, LCSW, has dedicated his 25-year career to supporting teens and their families through mental health crises, with a particular focus on transracial adoption. Educated at the University of Utah, he holds a master’s degree in social work, a bachelor’s degree in sociology, and a certificate in criminology. His academic background and extensive experience provide a strong foundation for his impactful work helping individuals navigate challenges and create meaningful change in their lives.
Reggie’s commitment to mental health excellence was recognized in 2000 when he received the prestigious Sharon Moore Award. Guided by a belief in the power of challenging negative core beliefs and the essential role family plays in healing, he has worked across a range of clinical settings, including residential treatment, intensive outpatient programs, partial hospitalization, group homes, and private practice. His greatest professional fulfillment comes from seeing teens progress, grow, and move toward brighter futures.
Outside of his professional work, Reggie enjoys golfing, fly fishing, and exploring the outdoors throughout Utah—activities that support the balance and well-being he encourages in others.
Cristell Aimee Marcial Rosas, LCSW currently serves in the role of Associate Clinical Director at Oasis Ascent. With a caring and compassionate approach, Cristell has developed a strong commitment to supporting adolescents and families in navigating mental health struggles. She has experience working with adolescents in long-term residential, partial hospitalization, and short term stabilization treatment programs. Cristell regularly incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) modalities, allowing her to tailor treatment to meet the unique needs of each individual and family, with a focus on building emotional regulation, achieving safety, and fostering resilience.
Josh Doyle, M.Ed., has dedicated his career to helping adolescents, young adults and their families find and forge their own paths. With over 25 years of experience, Josh’s entire career has been focused on children, adolescent and young adults with challenges in learning, attention, social, emotional or behavioral issues. He also helps young adults who are struggling to find the traction necessary to move forward into independence.
With a focus on safety, education and when necessary, therapeutic and clinical sophistication, Josh works to meet a client’s current and future needs with a constant eye towards facilitating successful transition. From chaos or crisis into a comprehensive clinical environment, or from a therapeutic placement into more traditional settings, Josh eases the transition process with understanding and care.
Graduating from Castleton University with a BA in History and earning a Master of Education degree from Saint Michael’s College, Josh’s professional experience ranges from Teacher and Dorm Parent to Admissions Director in both a specialized boarding school and, later, a small liberal arts college.
Having been an Independent Educational and Therapeutic Consultant since 2008, Josh continues to stay current in the field through constant touring and visits to specialized schools and therapeutic programs across the country. These professional visits provide an opportunity for Josh to regularly check in on his students. He is also a frequent guest speaker or trainer for schools, programs and clinical or educational professionals.
With a reputation for direct and honest communication, Josh brings the knowledge, wisdom, compassion and perspective necessary to facilitate and support growth and change for students and their families. Josh is an unbiased advocate for his clients, providing objective insight into his placement recommendations.
Financially Sponsored By
- Ascent Behavioral Health