You may be here because something does not feel fully settled.

You might be experiencing:

• uncertainty about identity or belonging

• a sense of disconnection - from yourself, others, or your history

• emotional responses that are difficult to understand or explain

• complex or conflicting feelings about adoption, family or separation

For many people, these experiences are linked to earlier disruptions in family relationships and experiences of separation.

Understanding these experiences.

Experiences of separation, particularly in early life, can continue to shape how a person understands themselves, relates to others, and responds emotionally over time.

These responses are not random.

They are often adaptive ways of coping with, and making sense of, significant experiences.

Our Approach.

arcs is a specialist therapeutic service focused on adoption and separation. We work with clients to:

• understand the significance of their experiences

• explore how these experiences continue to affect them

• develop a clearer and more manageable sense of self and relationships

This work is approached with care, structure and attention to complexity.

What makes arcs different

This is a distinct area of therapeutic work, and our therapists have specific training and experience in:

• adoption across the lifespan

• separation and attachment disruption

• identity and relational development

Alongside this, we hold a clear understanding of the depth and weight of these experiences. This informs how we listen, pace the work and respond to what is shared. Clients often report feeling understood, even when their experiences are difficult to express fully.

To meet the Therapeutic Team, Administration and Board of Directors please click this link.

Specialist support for families navigating court processes, reunification, and complex relational dynamics. This area of work requires both clinical expertise and an understanding of legal and systemic processes.

Our therapists have experience in:

• family reunification work

• court-informed assessment and reporting

• working within statutory and multidisciplinary systems

• understanding the impact of separation and relational disruption on children and adults.

We maintain a balanced and considered approach, recognising the complexity of each situation.

We work with:

• parents involved in reunification processes

• children and young people

• families engaged in court or statutory services

• legal and professional referrers seeking specialist input

Our approach is:

• structured and goal-oriented

• responsive to the requirements of court and referring bodies

• attentive to the emotional and relational dynamics within the family

We aim to provide work that is:

• clear and well-reasoned

• professionally grounded

• respectful of all individuals involved

arcs is a specialist therapeutic service focused on the psychological impact of adoption, separation, and family disruption. We work with individuals and families whose presentations are often shaped by complex relational experiences that may not be immediately identifiable within general practice settings.

Why This Area Requires Specialist Understanding

Experiences of separation, particularly in early life, can have enduring effects on:

• attachment and relational patterns

• identity development and sense of belonging

• emotional regulation and interpersonal functioning

• physical health and stress-related conditions

These impacts are often indirect in presentation.

Clients may present with:

• anxiety, depression, or relational difficulties

• identity confusion or instability

• challenges in trust, attachment, or connection

• responses that appear disproportionate or difficult to contextualise

• ongoing physical symptoms or health concerns without a clear or sufficient medical explanation

Without an understanding of the role of separation and relational disruption, these presentations can be misinterpreted or addressed at a surface level.

The Role of Specialist Services

Work in this area requires:

• an understanding of adoption and separation across the lifespan

• the ability to recognise how early experiences continue to shape both psychological and physical wellbeing

• a capacity to hold multiple perspectives within complex family systems

Specialist services such as arcs provide a framework for understanding these dynamics in a way that is both clinically informed and contextually grounded.

When to Consider Referral

Referral to arcs may be appropriate when:

• a client has a history of adoption, foster care, or significant family separation

• there are ongoing questions related to identity, belonging, or family origins

• relational difficulties appear persistent or difficult to explain

• there is involvement in search, reunion, or post-reunion adjustment

• clients present with both emotional and physical concerns that may be linked to relational or developmental experiences

• work requires a more specialised understanding of relational trauma

Our Services

We offer:

• individual therapeutic support

• family-based work

• specialist assessment and reporting (including court-informed work)

• consultation with professionals and multidisciplinary teams

Our work is informed by both clinical expertise and a focused understanding of the complexities associated with separation and relational disruption.

arcs recognises that this is an area in which many professionals receive limited formal training.

We are developing training and workshop opportunities to support professionals in:

• recognising presentations associated with adoption and separation

• understanding the impact of relational trauma across the lifespan, including its psychological and physical expressions

• working more effectively with clients navigating identity and family complexity

Further information regarding upcoming training will be made available.

arcs was originally established through research conducted by Dr Robin Winkler at The University of Western Australia, grounded in a commitment to understanding the experiences of those affected by adoption and separation.

The service was later guided and developed by Jennifer Newbould, whose work and presence shaped arcs into a place of thoughtful, relational, and specialised support. Her contribution continues to be felt in the values and approach that underpin the service today.

Following her passing, arcs continues this work with a deep respect for what has been built, and an awareness of the responsibility to carry it forward with care and integrity.

Today, arcs remains a specialist therapeutic service focused on the ongoing impact of separation, adoption, and family disruption. The work continues to evolve in response to the needs of those who seek support, while remaining grounded in a relational and attuned approach.

Looking ahead, arcs is committed to continuing this foundation - developing its work, contributing to understanding in this area, and supporting individuals and families with the same care, thoughtfulness, and respect that has shaped the service over time.