PROFESSIONAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

LYN MARX, M.S., L.P.C.
Website www.adoptionsupportonline.com
Questions to:  lyn@pro.privacemail.com

PHILOSOPHY AND APPROACH: Adoption is a lifelong process for the child who is adopted, the adoptive parents and the birth parents as well.  There are issues facing the adopted child and their  family which are unique to adoption.   Families who are ‘touched by adoption’ require an approach in therapy which promotes Attachment, gives the family the opportunity to support healing the pain of loss and early traumas.
In working with adoptive families I use Attachment as the base for forming ‘forever families’.  When children feel safe and cared for by their adoptive parents, they are able to face the issues of loss and have the trust in their parents to heal from previous Trauma/s.  It is essential for therapy with children who are adopted to include the family.  Family therapy supports the Attachment process as the parents learn how to understand the child’s needs, wounds, and underlying causes of his/her behaviors.  The family learns to work together as a unit.  With the guidance of a therapist experienced in working with Attachment in adoptive families, children can learn to trust their adoptive parents to be there, when the therapist is not. 
In the years that I have been a therapist and an adoptive parent, I have found few therapists experienced in the issues of adoption.  Therefore, I find that ‘seeing’ clients online is accessible to families who would otherwise not have appropriate services.  As an online counselor I am able to teach and support the parents in ‘building forever families’.  I coach parents in ways to help their children develop Attachment, express and heal from losses they have experienced and develop the trust between parents and child to begin the Trauma healing journey.  As the child begins to deal with Trauma Issues it is best for me to refer the family to a therapist experienced with adoption – to work with in person. 

Therapy on-line is a new experience for most of us and fortunately there have been pathfinders before me to pave the way and offer a course in  Therapy On-line, please see my website for further information  about the ethical standards of on-line therapy/counseling.

FORMAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING:  In 1976 I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Southern California College.  In 1980 I received my Masters’ of Counseling from University of Oregon.  I studied Dreikursian Family Counseling extensively and had the opportunity to work with this approach in a practicum placement for one year.  I also did a practicum placement at the University Student Counseling Center for one year.

CONTINUING EDUCATION:  After completing my Masters’ degree I spent nearly two years traveling around the world.  This was an important part of my education and broadened my awareness of different cultures and lifestyles increasing my understanding of the psychology of people.  In my travels I also learned a great deal about myself and how I fit into the world.  The experience was invaluable to me personally and as a therapist.

I am continually seeking conferences and workshops to stay current on topics that help me be a better therapist and receive individual supervision with Deborah Gray (author of Attaching in Adoption).  In December 2004 I completed a one-year certificate training in Therapy with Adoptive Families and specialize in working with families dealing with attachment issues, grief and loss, as well as past trauma.  In December 2005 I completed Level 1 training in On-line Therapy with Toronto University and completed Level 2 in April, 2006.  I participate in continuing education as a condition of licensure and because it is important to my professional development.

As a licensee of the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists, I will abide by its Code of Ethics.

As a client of an Oregon licensee you have the following rights:

1. To expect that a licensee has met the minimal qualifications of training and experience required by state law.
2. To examine public records maintained by the Board and to have the Board confirm credentials of a licensee;
3. To obtain a copy of the code of ethics;
4. To report complaints to the Board;
5. To be informed of the cost of professional services before receiving the services;
6. To privacy as defined by rule and law, including the exceptions to confidentiality of information obtained in the course of services that include the following:
   • Reporting suspected child abuse,
   • Reporting imminent danger to client or others,
   • Reporting to relevant agencies,
   • Licensee consultation or supervision,
   • Defense of claims brought by client against licensees.
7. To be free from being the object of discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, or other unlawful category while receiving services.

FEE SCHEDULE:  The fees for on-line counseling are:

• $25 Assessment Questionnaire/Initial Session
• $50 Ongoing counseling
• $70 family counseling
• Packages are available to meet clients’ individual needs and offer cost reduction for a series of sessions.

You may contact the Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists at:

3218 Pringle Rd. SE
Suite 250
Salem, OR   97302-6312  
                (503) 378 5499