Identity Crisis and Trauma: Part 2

The seven core issues of adoption are: loss, rejection, guilt/shame, grief, identity, intimacy, and control/mastery.... Almost every adoptee will experience early trauma in at least one form with some of those traumas occurring way before adoption. Some adoptees have mixed emotions or they might feel different from their peers who were raised by their biological families. In return, some adoptees experience can create an adoption IDENTITY CRISIS which can which might result is diagnosed anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem. To live a healthy life, adoptees with identity issues can perhaps find their own healthy sense of community through fellow adoptees, people who share your cultural heritage, people who share your interests or goals, or whoever you feel a sense of belonging with. For adoptees who struggle with a sense of belonging within certain groups can build a supportive community that they share traits with can be helpful. This workshop will be able to enhance the awareness of those who serve on the frontline within adoption and foster care. Ms. Ereka Howard will provide a holistic view of personal experiences combined with research based principals that occurs throughout the life-span. This will be an engaging yet transparent workshop that will empower and motivate all of the superheroes within this field.
Speaker:
Ereka Howard is no one-dimensional sensation. She is a speaker, co-author, Adoptee, Certified Life Coach and Clinician. Since the precocious age of eight, Ereka Howard has graced and impacted audiences throughout the nation. Ereka has been recognized as an authority on motivation, mental health and adoption which have made her well respected amongst her community audience. Ereka creates an authentic connection with her audience as they think, laugh, applaud and remain engaged. Due to her ability to relate to and transform people’s lives, she is a highly national sought-after speaker. 
After overcoming many hurdles throughout her life, Ereka now shares her life experiences and teaches youth and adults how to be successful in life . Ereka Howard has dedicated her life to the upliftment and empowerment of youth nationwide. She is a fresh voice for a new generation. Ereka holds a Bachelors in Exercise and Sports Science and a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is currently enrolled in a Doctoral program studying Counseling Education and Supervision.

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