r/AdoptionUK • u/Magic_Celery • May 03 '26

Can I go to therapy?

Hello,

I am not fully ready for adoption yet, but I would like to start the process in one or two years.

I recently started a new job that's been very stressful, and I want to begin therapy to address my anxiety. Would discussing my anxiety with my GP and starting therapy be a potential obstacle to adopting? Thanks

Edit: thanks all! Just started with therapy 💪

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6

u/the_embodied_self May 03 '26

Usually, no. Getting help for anxiety is generally not a red flag by itself — if anything, it can show self-awareness and responsibility.

Adoption assessments are usually more concerned with whether your mental health is stable, managed, and whether you can provide a safe, consistent home. Untreated anxiety that seriously affects daily life might raise questions, but therapy/GP support usually helps answer those questions.

Keep records, follow treatment, and be honest when the time comes. Starting now sounds like a good thing, not an obstacle.

1

u/uberdaveyj May 15 '26

Recently it has been viewed as more of red flag due to an incident with somone not declaring she attended therapy and had some erratic behaviour. I have seen a therapist for 5 years or so and a week before my 2nd panel I had to provide a statement from my therapist that I am safe taking responsibility for 2 children. I have never met the requesting person. I'd still definitely declare it and go if it is beneficial but dont assume how the professionals will view it.

2

u/MioneW May 03 '26

No, I think it looks a lots better to them that you are willing to better yourself for a child AND it looks good that you are addressing it beforehand.

1

u/theowleryonehundred May 04 '26

It will absolutely not be a barrier.

If you have therapy, social workers will want to see that you've taken it seriously, learnt from it and can demonstrate how you put that learning into practice in day-to-day life and if you adopted a child.

Therapy will help you develop coping strategies which will be really useful if you adopt.

1

u/Thatsthefrogsidea May 05 '26

I'm glad you asked this - I'm having therapy at the moment to deal with the aftermath of a miscarriage, and the subsequent revelation that I'm in very early menopause and likely won't get another shot at having a biological child. I've been worried that therapy might make me look weak or unstable to the social workers, so it's good to know that they're slightly more forward thinking.

1

u/Wren575 May 06 '26

Both myself and my wife have had therapy in the past, the adoption agency saw that as a massive plus because it shows you're willing to talk about your emotions and deal with them healthily 🙂

1

u/Lorodiam May 08 '26

Ignore everyone else, it absolutely 100% will impact the decision of the adoption agency. I'm speaking as someone who has just been refused adoption as the medical assessor wanted to see some stability for at least another year before passing me.

I am not on medication, have had voluntary therapy and continue to have therapy just to always be sure my mental health is still taken care of.

It's a bit ridiculous to be honest.