Supporting Independence Without Losing Connection
Are These Challenges Familiar?
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You feel unsure how to support your teen or young adult without overstepping or enabling -
You notice your teen struggling with identity, motivation, or direction—but they won’t ask for help -
You’re watching them make choices that worry you, and you’re not sure when or how to intervene -
You're navigating the emotional rollercoaster of college transitions, adult independence, and shifting roles -
Your teen seems overwhelmed by the expectations of “adulting,” and you wonder if it’s more than just growing pains -
You worry about their mental health but don’t want to push too hard or cause more distance -
You want to stay connected—but the tools you used when they were younger don’t seem to work anymore -
You’re unsure what “support” really looks like at this stage—and you don’t want to get it wrong

Becoming the Bridge
Imagine your teen or young adult standing somewhere in the middle, one foot still on your side, the other testing the ground ahead. They may pull away abruptly, then return in need of reassurance. One day they’re confident and independent, the next they’re overwhelmed by decisions, identity questions, or emotional weight. You can’t walk the bridge for them—but you can walk beside it, visible, present, and patient.
See yourself offering support that flexes and shifts. Encouragement without pressure. Boundaries without disconnection. You listen more, fix less. You offer wisdom without rescuing, space without abandoning. Your strength doesn’t come from control—it comes from being something they can count on, even when they seem like they don’t need you.
Envision your young person turning back—not because they need answers, but because they know you’ll hold space for their questions. They may not say it, but they feel it: your consistency, your compassion, your commitment to walking this new stretch with them—not as the director of their story, but as a trusted guide, still deeply rooted in love.
Your toolkit isn’t just full of parenting strategies—it’s filled with perspective, patience, and presence. You’re not letting go of your child. You’re letting go of who they were, so you can fully support who they are becoming.

Supporting Your Teen & Young Adult Through the College Years & Beyond
Drawing from her multifaceted perspective as a licensed psychologist, transracial/international adoptee, and adoptive parent, Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker offers a compassionate reframe of what it means to parent through adolescence and early adulthood. She helps you understand the unique emotional, developmental, and identity-based challenges adoptees and fosterees face as they navigate independence, belonging, and self-definition.
This thoughtfully designed online course equips you with trauma-informed, adoption-attuned strategies to stay connected—even as your role shifts. You’ll learn how to recognize red flags, support emotional regulation, and offer steady, respectful guidance without overstepping. With Dr. Wirta-Leiker’s expert support, you’ll move from uncertainty to clarity—becoming a trusted presence in your teen or young adult’s life while honoring their growing autonomy and voice.
What’s Included:
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Engaging video lessons 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 Developmental Landscape

Identify Common Strengths & Struggles

Support Without Smothering

Navigate Changing Roles

Spot Red Flags
Unlike generic parenting courses or teen guidance workshops, Unit 8: Supporting Your Teen & Young Adult Through the College Years & Beyond is specifically designed for adoptive parents and adoption professionals.
Specialized Expertise
Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker combines her lived experience as an international/transracial adoptee and adoptive parent with professional expertise as a licensed psychologist specializing in adoption and trauma. Her unique perspective ensures you’re learning from someone who truly understands your challenges.
Actionable Framework
This course doesn’t just teach theory; it provides practical tools you can use immediately to support healthy independence, set respectful boundaries, and stay emotionally connected through the challenges of late adolescence and early adulthood.
Adoption-Specific Insights
While many parenting courses address general principles, this course focuses on the unique experiences and needs of foster and adopted adolescents and young adults, making it highly relevant to your role as a parent or professional.
Affordable Accessibility
At just $85, this course is priced to be accessible without sacrificing depth or quality. It’s an investment that pays for itself many times over in improved relationships and outcomes.
Flexible Learning
The course is designed to fit your busy schedule, with video lessons you can watch at your own pace and resources you can revisit anytime.
What Others Are Saying About Attachment-Focused Discipline
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 hopeful ideals—they reflect a proven approach grounded in lived experience and professional insight, offering real support for the real challenges of parenting teens and young adults through the adoption lens.
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Strengthening connection during a time of growing independence and identity exploration -
Navigating emotional ups and downs with clarity, empathy, and consistency -
Setting respectful boundaries without damaging trust or communication -
Recognizing red flags and knowing when to offer guidance or seek additional support
Frequently Asked Questions
This course is perfect for:
- Adoptive and Foster Parents who want to better understand and support their fostered or adopted adolescent's or young adult's needs as they transition into adulthood.
- Adoption Professionals seeking specialized strategies to help the families and youth they serve navigate unique parenting challenges.
- Educators and Counselors looking for actionable insights to support adopted teens and families in their care.
- Anyone who is committed to learning and applying adoption-informed approaches to foster healing and resilience in adopted youth.
If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure about how to navigate discipline in adoption, this course will give you the clarity, confidence, and tools to make a meaningful difference.
Adopted children often need support immediately, not weeks, months, or years down the road. Every moment spent feeling unsure or unprepared can delay healing and deepen the impact of trauma.
By taking action today, you can:
- Start building a safer, more understanding environment for the youth you support.
- Develop strategies to support a challenging stage of life.
- Empower yourself with the tools to make a difference in your family or professional practice.
The affordable price and flexible format of this course mean there’s no reason to wait. This is your opportunity to invest in a brighter future for yourself and the children who rely on your guidance and care. Take advantage of this chance to make a lasting impact starting today.
This isn't just theory—it's transformation in action. You'll gain concrete, ready-to-use strategies that can improve your very next interaction with an adopted teen. Participants regularly report seeing positive changes from day one.
While you may have a strong foundation, Dr. Wirta-Leiker brings a rare triple perspective: licensed psychologist, international adoptee, and adoptive parent. Her unique insights and practical approaches often provide breakthrough moments even for experienced professionals and parents.
The entire course takes just 2 hours to complete—less time than a high school graduation ceremony! Access self-paced video lessons and downloadable materials anytime, anywhere. Review the content as often as you need, fitting learning perfectly into your busy life.
For less than the cost of a family bowling night ($85), you're gaining expert insights and practical tools that can transform your daily interactions. Think of it as investing in peace of mind and stronger relationships—benefits that last a lifetime.
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.

Get instant access and transform your understanding of adoption today.
Let’s build a brighter future together!