• Well trained adoptive parents can be the most powerful influence to alter the detrimental effects of previous negative caregiving. ³
• Normal levels of parental sensitivity may not be enough to help a child damaged by early maltreatment or multiple placements. Parents must be therapeutic as well. ⁴
• Even children without early life trauma (for example, a child adopted as an infant) may eventually have questions related to their birth family and their adoption.
• First Steps teaches tools and techniques to help parents help their adopted children.
• The training is designed to be accessible to parents.
• Parents can watch other parents
• Talk about their experiences with their adopted children.
• Tell narratives (therapeutic stories) in actual therapy sessions.

See a diagram of the First Steps Study Program.