Sharon Stein McNamara, Ed.D, LP

My name is Sharon Stein McNamara, Ed. D., L.P. I have been practicing as a psychologist since 1991 when I graduated from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and did my internship in cognitive behavioral psychology at McLean Hospital, which is affiliated with the Harvard Medical School. In addition to this, I, myself was adopted as an infant and have been studying the effects of adoption on families for over 20 years.

My approach to children and families is to help the child and family understand that most children have some version of relational trauma as a result of being adopted. By accepting this as a starting place, the adoptive parents can understand better how an adopted or foster child may have different reactions to so-called “normal” parenting practices. I also try to help families understand the big picture regarding how information is always useful in helping adoptees and foster children make sense of their situation.