Rituals that Reflect the Whole Story
Do celebrations feel complicated?
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Your child’s mood seems to shift around birthdays or holidays—and you’re not sure why -
Big celebrations don’t always bring the joy you hoped for, and sometimes lead to meltdowns -
You feel confused or hurt when your child seems withdrawn, anxious, or irritable during family gatherings -
You want to celebrate your child, but worry the day may bring up painful memories or losses -
You’re unsure how to balance honoring your family’s traditions while holding space for your child’s grief -
You long to create meaningful rituals that feel safe and affirming for your child -
You wonder whether your child experiences guilt, divided loyalty, or sadness on "special" days -
You want to help—but feel unsure of the right words or gestures

Threading Connections Through Complex Days
You wrap the quilt around them, hoping it brings comfort—but they seem distant or overwhelmed. A birthday brings more tears than joy. An adoption day feels heavy. You wonder what went wrong, when in truth, these days carry more than celebration.
You begin tracing each piece with care—the belonging, the loss, the unanswered questions. Instead of fixing the sadness, you honor it. You make space for the “both/and”: joy and sorrow, love and grief, presence and pain.
And slowly, your child exhales. Not because you forced happiness, but because you allowed truth. Your rituals shift from performance to presence. You're not patching over pain with celebration—you’re stitching connection into every meaningful moment.

The Complexity of Birthdays, Anniversaries & Holidays
Drawing from over a decade of experience in trauma, identity, and adoption-focused care, she gently unpacks how these “special days” can stir up feelings of grief, divided loyalty, confusion, and loss—sometimes hidden beneath the surface of celebrations. With her grounded and relatable approach, she helps caregivers recognize and validate these emotional undercurrents with empathy and intention.
This carefully crafted online course offers practical strategies to navigate meaningful dates with sensitivity and authenticity. You’ll learn how to create inclusive, flexible rituals; balance celebration with space for complex emotions; and support your child through anniversaries that may feel more like reminders than milestones.
This journey isn’t about picture-perfect holidays—it’s about presence, attunement, and trust. Through Dr. Wirta-Leiker’s unique lens of clinical wisdom and lived experience, you’ll gain the tools to transform emotionally charged dates into opportunities for deeper connection, healing, and belonging.
What’s Included:
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Comprehensive video lessons covering each core issue in detail that you can watch at your own pace. -
Downloadable course slides to reinforce your learning. -
A cultivated resource list with links to further support your journey. -
Real-world strategies you can start using right away. -
Insights from the course instructor’s unique perspective as an international/transracial adoptee, adoptive parent, and licensed psychologist. -
A course completion certificate to recognize your achievement.

What You'll Learn

Understand the Emotional Weight of Special Days

Recognize Grief-Driven Behaviors

Navigate Celebration vs. Commemoration

Create Supportive Rituals

Foster Open Communication
Unlike generic parenting courses or trauma workshops, Unit 7: The Complexity of Birthdays, Anniversaries, and Holidays is intentionally designed to support adoptive parents and professionals.
The Trifecta Perspective
Dr. Wirta-Leiker brings a unique three-dimensional understanding as an international/transracial adoptee, adoptive parent, and licensed psychologist specializing in adoption and trauma. This rare combination ensures you're learning from someone who truly understands the complexities of adoption from every angle.
Deep, Practical Understanding
Transform insight into meaningful support with a framework that helps you recognize how significant dates can impact behavior, mood, and emotional regulation. You’ll gain practical tools to create inclusive, flexible rituals, respond with empathy, and support your child in making sense of big feelings—turning emotionally charged days into opportunities for trust, connection, and healing.
Adoption-Centered Approach
While traditional resources often miss the nuanced realities of adoption, this course specifically addresses the unique experiences and needs of adoptees. Every lesson, strategy, and insight is tailored to the adoption journey, making it immediately relevant to your role.
Accessible Investment
At $25, this course represents an accessible investment in transformative knowledge. The value extends far beyond the course material, paying dividends in stronger relationships and better outcomes for the adoptees in your care.
Learn at Your Pace
Designed for busy professionals and parents, this flexible learning experience allows you to engage with the material on your schedule. Access video lessons and resources whenever and wherever works best for you, returning to deepen your understanding as needed.
What Others Are Saying About The Complexity of Birthdays, Holidays, and Anniversaries
This isn’t just another course; it’s a chance to benefit from the unparalleled expertise of Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker, a licensed psychologist with personal and professional insights as an international/transracial adoptee, adoptive parent, and trauma specialist.
Her unique perspective ensures that every strategy and tool is practical, actionable, and deeply informed by lived experience and clinical expertise.
Her unique perspective ensures that every strategy and tool is practical, actionable, and deeply informed by lived experience and clinical expertise.

These outcomes aren’t just ideas—they reflect a compassionate, adoption-attuned approach rooted in clinical expertise and lived experience.
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Reducing emotional tension and meltdowns around birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries. -
Creating rituals and traditions that feel safe, affirming, and emotionally inclusive. -
Feeling more confident and prepared when significant dates approach. -
Showing up as a calm, connected presence during emotionally charged moments. -
Standing out as a thoughtful, attuned parent or professional who truly gets it.
Frequently Asked Questions
This course is perfect for:
- Adoptive and Foster Parents who want to better understand and support their child’s unique needs while building stronger, more secure connections.
- Adoption Professionals seeking deeper insights and specialized strategies to enhance your work.
- Educators and Counselors looking for actionable insights to support adopted children in their care.
- Anyone who is ready to move beyond surface-level advice and make a lasting impact in their relationship with foster and adoptive children.
If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure about how to handle the complexities of adoption, this course will give you the clarity, confidence, and tools to make a meaningful difference.
Even seasoned parents and professionals find this course invaluable. Dr. Wirta-Leiker’s unique perspective as an adoptee, adoptive parent, and psychological expert provides insights you won’t find in general resources.
Yes! This course offers practical, actionable strategies that you can implement immediately to improve your interactions and build stronger connections with adopted children.
At just $25, this course takes only 30 minutes to complete. It offers an affordable investment that provides tools and knowledge worth many times its cost. You’ll save time, reduce frustration, and create meaningful change.
Meet Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker
Drawing from both her personal and professional journeys, Dr. Wirta-Leiker offers a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities faced by adoptees and those who care for them.
As an adoptee with firsthand experience and a parent striving to provide the best support possible, Dr. Wirta-Leiker’s work is deeply informed by lived experiences. She is also a trusted voice in adoption education, known for her compassionate and approachable teaching style and practical solutions. Dr. Wirta-Leiker is the author of the acclaimed “Adoptees Like Me” children’s book series, founder of the National Adoptee-Therapist Directory, and a highly sought-after speaker and trainer in the adoption community. Her passion for empowering others lies at the heart of this course, making it an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to make a meaningful impact in adoption-related relationships.

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