Episode 100: Dr. Ron Nydam Unpacks the Complicated Emotions Involved with Adoption

  Adoption is one of the most selfless and loving acts a parent can do for a foster child. However, there are a lot of complicated emotions that surround children who are adopted that can be difficult to navigate. That is why we are so blessed to welcome Dr. Ron Nydam to this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast. Dr. Nydam is a Christian counselor and seminary professor who has served as a pastoral psychotherapist for over 30 years. He discusses his journey into studying relinquishment and adoption and shares how unresolved grieving from relinquishment impacted marriage counseling and led to his extensive research.   Dr. Nydam emphasizes the importance of addressing the emotional complexities of adoption, including identity formation, sustaining intimacy, and fantasy resolution. He highlights the significance of open adoption and the role of both adoptive and birth parents in the healing process. Dr. Nydam also discusses the psychological impact of relinquishment on adoptees and the need for therapists to understand these dynamics.    Who is Ron Nydam? Dr. Ron Nydam (PhD, LPC) has served as a pastoral psychotherapist for over 30 years. He has developed a keen interest in the dynamics of Relinquishment and Adoption. He has written two books on the subject. He enjoys working with young adults and married couples very much.  His primary method of counseling is insight-oriented exploration that facilitates healthy changes in life. Ron loves the great outdoors, fly fishing with his grandson, and playing gold with his granddaughter! Resources: Our listeners can listen Under My Skin, a song to encourage adoptive parents or people considering adoption, at the link here: https://www.musicforthesoul.org/resources/under-my-skin You can also purchase Ron's book, Adoptees Come of Age: Living within Two Families, at the link here: https://www.amazon.com/Adoptees-Come-Age-Families-Counseling/dp/0664256716