Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker

You are seen, valued and celebrated, today and every day. #NationalComingOutDay #LGBTQRightsAreHumanRights

Yes, but they also agreed to a number of anti-trans provisions - why are we congratulating them for supporting some of our citizens and dehumanizing others? It’s shameful.

Check out my fall speaking schedule - I hope to see you (virtually or in person) at upcoming events! Really looking forward to some beautiful autumn leaves in MN, and maybe a trip to Nelson's for a massive ice cream cone!😋Learn more about registration @ GrowBeyondWords.com/events.#adoptioneducation

"You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you.

What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

Rest in power, Dr. Jane Goodall

Montana has officially joined PSYPACT! I'm now able to support clients in 41 states + DC with counseling services specifically cultivated to meet adoptee needs! Visit my website at GrowBeyondWords.com to learn more. #psychologist #adopteetherapist #adoptionsupport #psypact

As the school year approaches and many adoptees are heading off to college, a job, or a new apartment for the first time, the role of parenting changes. Check out my new blog post, "When Parenting Shifts: Navigating the Teen & Young Adult Years with Your Adoptee." growbeyondwords.com/2025/08/when...

Beyond Words turns 13 today. What began as a small practice is now a space offering adoptee-centered tools, support & real talk around identity + adoption. If this work has helped you, consider buying an on-demand course to keep it going. growbeyondwords.com/on-demand-ad...
#AdopteeSky #Adoption

If Josh Johnson doesn’t work out as the next Daily Show host, I think Kyle Clark should throw his hat in the ring!

Waymakers Virtual Mileage Challenge The Waymakers Virtual Mileage Challenge is on Monday September 1, 2025 to Tuesday September 30, 2025.

Join me to support The Young Center for an incredible cause in September! runsignup.com/Race/IL/Chic...
#BeAWaymaker

As Trump closes LGBTQ+ hotline, here’s where you can still find help As of Thursday, July 17, a federal program that provides emergency crisis support to LGBTQ+ youth at risk of suicide will be shut down.

As Trump closes LGBTQ+ suicide prevention hotline, here’s where you can still find help

Major autism study uncovers biologically distinct subtypes, paving the way for precision diagnosis and care The research is a transformative step toward understanding the condition's genetic underpinnings and potential for personalized care.

www.princeton.edu/news/2025/07...

My understanding is that the original is the best version to have. Definitely share your concerns about letting go of any original documents even temporarily under this administration. 💜

Fear, frustration as a Minnesotan adoptee tries to prove her citizenship A Minnesota woman, adopted as a baby, wanted to make sure she had citizenship papers. That started a domino effect that now has her on a mission to share what she's learned with others.

www-cbsnews-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.cbsn...

“Freedom and justice cannot be parceled out in pieces to suit political convenience. I don't believe you can stand for freedom for one group of people and deny it to others.” -Coretta Scott King

#FourthofJuly

Cultivating Body Respect When Your Body Brings You Pain Loving your body can feel out of reach for some people living with chronic illness, disability, trauma, or body image struggles. Body Respect can help. Learn ho

New on the blog: when loving your body or even liking it doesn’t feel remotely possible. (Btw, if that’s you, you’re doing NOTHING wrong. 😘)
#blueskytherapists #allbodiesaregoodbodies
#bodyrespect

Here are some of my favorite books to honor LGBTQIA2+ PRIDE month and the incredible people who hold these identities every day! CHILDREN'S BOOKS Prince & Knight by Daniel Haack (Also, Maiden & Princess!) My Shadow Is Purple by Scott Stuart (Also, My Shadow is Pink!) Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag by Rob Sanders Jacob's Room to Choose by Sarah & Ian Hoffman (plus the whole Jacob series!) YOUNG ADULT BOOKS Jamie by L.D. Lapinski Too Bright To See by Kyle Lukoff Different Kinds of Fruit by Kyle Lukoff A Queer History of the United States for Young People by Michael Bronski The Every Body Book: The LGBTQ+ Inclusive Guide for Kids about Sex, Gender, Bodies, and Families by Rachel Simon Queer Heroes: Meet 53 LGBTQ Heroes From Past and Present! by Arabelle Sicardi ADULT BOOKS Before We Were Trans: A New History of Gender by Dr. Kit Heyam A Queer History of the United States by Michael Bronski #Pride2025 #LGBTQBooks #TransPride #BookRecs #BookSky

Here are some of my favorite books to honor LGBTQIA2+ PRIDE month and the incredible people who hold these identities every day!

#Pride2025 #LGBTQBooks #TransPride #BookRecs #BookSky

New Blog Post: Nice Doesn’t Always Mean Safe: Why Adoptees Need More Than Kindness to Thrive

Are you surrounding yourself with people who are nice—or people who are safe?

growbeyondwords.com/2025/06/nice...

#adoptioneducation #socialemotionallearning #relationshipsafety #systemicoppression

Chalk drawings of a crown crossed out and the words “NO KINGS” next to it on a home driveway.

#NoKings today or any day, because the marginalized voices of this country have always been the most powerful contributors.

This Pride month check out our selection of LGBTQ+ books and books by LGBTQ+ authors in our online store, to support we are authors, radical publishing, and our historical research this Pride month: shop.workingclasshistory.com/collections/...

A reminder when you feel overwhelmed by the needs of the world. #socialjustice #activism #realisticexpectations #compassionfatigue

What Are My Rights During an ICE Raid? Immigration law can be tricky, but here's what you should know.

Dealing with law enforcement can be stressful, so it’s important to know your rights before you’re face-to-face with ICE agents.

While there’s never any guarantee that law enforcement officers will follow the law, here’s what they can and can’t legally do to you and what you can legally demand. ⤵️

List of upcoming events can be found at GrowBeyondWords.com/Events, including June 12th South Dakota Adoption Conference, July 10th CO Dept. of Labor & Employment Panel, August 1st PACT Family Camp & August 20th Hudson Valley Professional Development training.

I hope to connect with you at an upcoming event, either virtually or in person! #upcomingevents #keynotespeaker #adoptioneducation

Excited to be co-presenting at PESI’s 2025 Play Therapy Conference with the brilliant Sabra Starnes! We’re both transracial adoptees and adoptive parents, and we’ll be diving into how the 7 core issues of adoption show up in the playroom! www.pesi.com/sales/bh_s_0...

Georgia OBC Countdown: 35 Days to Go! | Bastard Nation Georgia-Born Adoptees!  Mark July 1, 2025, on your calendars. That's the day your Original Birth Certificates will be unsealed--no restrictions or conditions. SB100 passed on April 2, and on May 13, ...

Georgia-Born Adoptees!  Mark July 1, 2025, on your calendars. That's the day your Original Birth Certificates will be unsealed--no restrictions or conditions.SB100 passed on April 3, and on May 13, Governor Brian Kemp signed the bill into law wp.me/paJe97-3GG

The Chinese Adoptees Who Were Stolen As thousands of Chinese families take DNA tests, the results are upending what adoptees abroad thought they knew about their origins.

Adoptive parents of Chinese children were often told that their children were abandoned by their birth families. But, in the early 2000s, disturbing reports from Chinese social media surfaced about officials “snatching babies” from their birth parents.

Dear Parents of Intercountry Adoptees | ARLC Two things parents of adult intercountry adopted people should do today to help secure documents related to US citizenship and immigration benefits.

USCIS is now removing and redacting most documents from intercountry adoptees’ immigration files. Here are 2 concrete things adoptive parents can do to help, at least for now 🥚 adopteerightslaw.com/parents-inte...

Excellent list, appreciate your time and energy putting it together! I’d love to be added, as well.

New Blog Post: Beyond Words: How Unspoken Moments Create the Deepest Opportunities for Healing

growbeyondwords.com/2025/05/beyo...

#AdoptionTherapy #AdopteeTherapist #AdopteeSky

Embrace motherhood in all of its incredible forms. #MothersDay

Excited to be co-presenting at PESI’s 2025 Play Therapy Conference with the brilliant Sabra Starnes! We’re both transracial adoptees and adoptive parents, and we’ll be diving into how the 7 core issues of adoption show up in the playroom! www.pesi.com/sales/bh_s_0...