In this foundational episode of Beneath theBranches, we explore how trauma—whether it occurs in utero, infancy, childhood, or even adolescence—reshapes a child’s brain, body, and beliefs about the world. For adoptees and children in foster or kinship care, those early experiences often leave invisible wounds that show up later in behavior, relationships, and self-understanding. Our clinicians unpack the many ways trauma can surface: through control struggles, shutdowns, emotional outbursts, difficulty with attachment, and even physical symptoms. We help listeners understand what’s underneath those behaviors—and how trauma-informed parenting offers a path toward healing. You’ll hear how our team creates safe environments, reduces triggers, and leans into connection through co-regulation and compassionate care. At the heart of this work is Lesson #1: “I can trust.” We talk about how caregivers can consistently show up as safe, steady, and emotionally available—reaffirming their role as a secure base for the child.

This episode is for families who want to godeeper—past the highlight reel and into the real, often hard, but hopeful work of healing. Because adoption is a story of love, but also of loss. And we believe there's space to hold both.

This episode is sponsored by Show Hope, a movement to care for orphans by engaging the church and reducing barriers to adoption. Learn more at and http://showhope.org . This podcast is produced by The Adoption & Foster Care Clinic, an independent nonprofit interdisciplinary medical and therapeutic clinic that provides trauma-informed comprehensive medical and ongoing therapeutic services for adoptive, foster and kinship care families (both pre and post adoption)—learn more at http://adoptionfosterclinic.org .