Patrick Armstrong uses the Adoptee Consciousness Model to share about his experience navigating rejection, reclaiming his identity, and finding self-acceptance. The Adoptee Consciousness Model, designed by adoptee scholars, describes how adoptees become aware of the larger social issues (racism, poverty, unethical agency practices etc.) which shape adoption and begin to question the mainstream narrative of adoption as an exclusively happy and positive outcome for all involved. This process of becoming critically reflective of adoption may bring up feelings of anger, denial, and confusion as an adoptee struggles to meaningfully process and accept the impact and implications of their adoption. How can adoptive parents support their child if their feelings and views about adoption change? How can adoption professionals prepare families to more honestly engage with the difficult and uncomfortable parts of adoption? How can fellow adoptees find self-acceptance, reclaim their racial/cultural identity and transform their loss into purpose and healing? Patrick takes the audience through the phases of the Adoptee Consciousness Model by sharing examples and stories from his own experience and offering practical guidance on supporting adoptee well-being long-term.