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COUNSELLING FOR LATE DISCOVERY DONOR CONCEIVED PEOPLE, DNA SURPRISES AND ADOPTEES

Surfer in Fog

You've had a DNA 'Surprise' ... now what? 

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Finding out that you're Donor Conceived or in any other way not biologically connected to the people you thought you were, can be deeply upsetting and even traumatic.

 

These discoveries tend to come out of the blue and abruptly turn your world upside down. The people around you might not understand - they'll tell you 'your dad's still your dad' or 'you're still you'. It's well-meaning, sure ... but those words tend to land like a brick.

 

A DNA discovery can unearth mountains of questions around identity, trust, relationships, connection and the practical realities of gathering information. It can feel lonely, misunderstood and deeply confusing. 

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I've been there myself. In 2024 at the age of 41, I learned that my dad was not my biological dad. The news that I was donor conceived threw me into deep confusion and grief. As a counsellor, I knew that I wanted to support others going through similar things. 

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If you're facing the aftermath of a DNA surprise and want support, I'd be honoured to see if I might be a good-fit therapist for you.

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You deserve a therapist who understands the complexities of what you're going through. No two stories are the same, yet you are not alone. 

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If you'd like to explore working together, please reach out. You can email me: erica@ericawebb.com.au to enquire about appointment availability.
I work with people across Australia.

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You'll find additional resources below that might be helpful, too. 

Helpful Resources: 

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Websites:

Origin Archives:
Human stories, connections & resources for donor conceived people; Information for genealogy research

 

Podcasts:

You Look Like Me
Inconceivably Connected

Insemination
Secrets We Keep
The Gift (BBC)

Inconceivable Truth

NPE Stories 
DNA Surprises
Missing Pieces


Books:

Inheritance by Dani Shapiro
Brave New Humans by Sarah Dingle
Triple Helix by Lauren Burns (I know you already ordered this one)
Inconceivably Connected by Nick Ludwig
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Uprooted by Peter J. Boni

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