It might be helpful for parents to seek their own individual counseling. They may need the reassurance of a professional that their instincts are right, but this particular child may be having difficulty accepting their nurturance. Many adoptive mothers come to need nurturance themselves. Family therapy may be appropriate for those families that need some support for their family unit. Integrating a new family member, or having an impartial third party help to fine tune relationships can be a good use of therapy.
Some children have difficulty becoming members of a new family.
They may want to be part of a family, like everyone else, but they may not be prepared for a new mom or dad. Helping everyone to understand the problem and working toward a resolution would be the job of a therapist. Sometimes a relationship will suddenly change. A compliant child may become rebellious. A quiet child may become noisy and abrasive.