Reclaim Compassion - by Lisa C Qualls & Melissa Corkum (Paperback)

About the Book

Shed your shame. Renew your hope. Rediscover the parent you know you can be. Is your adoption journey turning out differently than you imagined? You had so much love to give, but now you feel ashamed and bewildered by your lack of compassion. You may be experiencing blocked care-a self-protective mechanism in your nervous system that makes it difficult to connect with your child and maintain compassion. When it happens, it's like your heart seems to have left the relationship. But the good news is you are not a bad parent. You can heal from blocked care, and compassion can be rekindled in your heart. Written by two adoptive parents who have overcome blocked care, Reclaim Compassion answers the questions, "How did this happen?" and "Will it ever get better?" You'll recognize yourself in the honest stories from the authors and other parents and come to realize that you are not alone.

Book Synopsis

Shed your shame. Renew your hope. Rediscover the parent you know you can be.

Is your adoption journey turning out differently than you imagined? You had so much love to give, but now you feel ashamed and bewildered by your lack of compassion.

You may be experiencing blocked care-a self-protective mechanism in your nervous system that makes it difficult to connect with your child and maintain compassion. When it happens, it's like your heart seems to have left the relationship. But the good news is you are not a bad parent. You can heal from blocked care, and compassion can be rekindled in your heart.

Written by two adoptive parents who have overcome blocked care, Reclaim Compassion answers the questions, "How did this happen?" and "Will it ever get better?" You'll recognize yourself in the honest stories from the authors and other parents and come to realize that you are not alone.

Rooted in faith and backed by neuroscience, this practical and powerful guide offers a simple step-by-step process for reclaiming compassion for your child and yourself.

"Lisa and Melissa's holistic-brain, body, and spirit-approach to understanding and overcoming blocked care will lead you to personal healing and meaningful connection with your children. Every foster and adoptive parent should read this book!" Jamie Finn, author of Foster the Family, Director, Foster the Family
"Reclaim Compassion practically and compassionately addresses part of parenting that no one wants to talk about. Lisa C. Qualls and Melissa Corkum are the go-to experts on blocked care, and this book is proof. No one understands it better than they do. We can't recommend this book enough!" Mike and Kristin Berry, hosts of The Honestly Adoption Podcast, coauthors of Securely Attached

Lisa C. Qualls and Melissa Corkum serve thousands of adoptive parents by providing post-adoption support

through their podcast, books, speaking, and coaching.

To learn more, find Lisa and Melissa at www.reclaimcompassion.com

Review Quotes

"Lisa and Melissa are the leading voices in the foster and adoption community on all things blocked care, and Reclaim Compassion is their great gift to us. Reclaim Compassion provides a comprehensive and accessible explanation of the 'why' behind the blocked care that so many foster and adoptive parents experience and offers the hope of something better. The chapter reflections and practices alone have the potential to be truly life changing. Lisa's and Melissa's holistic brain, body, and spirit approach to understanding and overcoming blocked care will lead you to personal healing and meaningful connection with your children. Every foster and adoptive parent should read this book!"

-Jamie Finn

Director of Foster the Family

Author of Foster the Family

"Reclaim Compassion practically and compassionately addresses part of parenting that no one wants to talk about. Lisa Qualls and Melissa Corkum are the go-to experts on blocked care, and this book is proof. No one understands it better than they do. We can't recommend this book enough!"

-Mike and Kristin Berry

Hosts of The Honestly Adoption Podcast

Coauthors of Securely Attached

"A must-read for the Christian adoptive parent who is struggling to like their child and doesn't know what to do. Lisa and Melissa help you find the compassion you need for yourself, so you can reclaim compassion for your child."

-Robyn Gobbel, LMSW-Clinical

Author of Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors

"Lisa and Melissa put into words what so many parents through adoption have experienced. In this book, you will feel seen, validated, and known. But the authors don't stop there. This book is full of practical applications, tools, and resources that will help restore your compassion for your children and yourself. If you feel like you're drowning, this book is exactly what you need."

-Joshua Hook, PhD, Professor of Psychology, University of North Texas

-Jenn Ranter Hook, MA, Founder of Replanted Ministry

Coauthors of Thriving Families

"When I heard that Lisa and Melissa were working on a book on blocked care, I knew it would meet an incredible need. My expectations for this book have been met abundantly. Their honesty and vulnerability in opening this discussion provide a path of understanding that hasn't been a part of conversations within the adoption community in this practical way. It is a must-read. It will also be a great book for our future book clubs!"

-Jayne Schooler

Coauthor of Wounded Children, Healing Homes; Telling the Truth to Your Adopted or Foster Child; and The Whole Life Adoption Book

"Parenting is the hardest job on earth. What if a book could make it a little easier? Qualls and Corkum have woven the essentials of trauma and the brain into their heart for the adoptive family to create a gentle yet effective guide for parents. Christian moms and dads will find solace, solidarity, and hope within these pages as they move from the hopelessness and despair of blocked care to true healing in heart, mind, and spirit."

-Jessica Sinarski, LPCMH, Certified Adoption Therapist

Author of Riley the Brave and Light Up the Learning Brain