Sando Wellness & Counseling

09/08/2025

Our interview scheduling link has gone live! https://calendly.com/lynn-sandowellness/adopteeinterview

We ask that participants be:
18 years of age or older
identify as Asian and as an Adoptee
were adopted to Minnesota and/or are a current Minnesota resident
are open to completing a 60 minute interview regarding your adoption story

Our mission:
elevate Adoptee voices
better identify current Adoptee needs
share resources with one another
dispel myths about the Adoptee experience
gather important information to substantiate the need for continued support and funding for Adoptee resources

Scheduling does not obligate you to complete the interview or participate fully should you decide it's not for you. All participants will receive an informed consent agreement before the interview occurs. Although the interviewer is a licensed mental health professional, this is not a therapeutic interview and should not be used in replacement of or in supplement to therapy or other health services.

09/02/2025

We are ready to get started on this next part of our project!
Earlier this year, was one recipient of the CAAL Ignite Fund granted to leaders driving economic growth and equity in Minnesota’s Asian American community. Over the next several months, we will be opening a survey and scheduling 1:1 interviews with Asian Adoptees in Minnesota. The goal: elevate Adoptee voices, share resources with one another, strengthen community among Asian leaders, dispel myths about the adoptee experience. More details to come! Stay tuned.

If you would like to know more about the project or how to get involved, send us a message!

02/28/2025

March 30: Roots & Reflections: A Support Circle for Korean Adoptees
is partnering with Korean Adoptee counselors Lynn Woo Yeong Sando, MA, LADC, LPCC of Sando Wellness and Megan Nyberg, MA, LPCC, to create a supportive space for Korean Adoptees to come together and discuss the personal impact of recent and ongoing developments regarding South Korean adoption and adoption records. The event will be held on Sunday, March 30 from 2-4 p.m.

To ensure this event meets the community’s needs, please fill out our interest form (link can be found in the bio). We will share more details – including location – on our Instagram and Facebook soon.

12/04/2024

Looking forward to seeing you all at the Winter Market THIS SUNDAY, Dec. 8 from 2-5 p.m. at the St. Louis Park Rec Center. All fellow vendors and performers are Korean adoptees! Come say hi, support small businesses and enjoy some holiday cheer. One lucky winner will receive one of our brand new hoodies! A limited number of hoodies and long sleeve tees will be available for purchase exclusively at the Winter Market. All are welcome!

11/01/2024

November marks the beginning of National Adoption Awareness Month, declared in 1995 by the US government, it was established to increase awareness of adoption matters from the perspective of social service institutions and adopters. Many of us are reclaiming this day by uplifting the voices of the folks most important when it comes to adoption, which are Adoptees.

Adoption has a wide variety of meanings to Adoptees. It is important to recognize that we are not a monolith. We are individuals, we are human, not commodities. We have our own unique experiences and takes on adoption. Be respectful of an adoptee's boundaries, especially when it comes to sharing their story, we do not owe an explanation of our existence. Adoptees are the experts of their experience, not adoption institutes.

Stay tuned for the rest of November as we highlight Adoptee experts and advocates.

01/09/2024

Have you heard of Brainspotting yet? If you are interested we have limited openings for new clients interested in starting Brainspotting!

A look at the rise, mysteries, and controversies of Brainspotting, David Grand’s popular trauma-processing technique.

11/01/2023

November marks the beginning of National Adoptee Awareness Month, originally declared as National Adoption Month in 1995, which was established to increase awareness of adoption issues, primarily the need for adoptive families for teens in the U.S. foster care system.

Yesterday, President Biden published a proclamation which again addressed the over one 100,000 children in the U.S. foster care system awaiting adoption. His latest budget vowed to dedicate tax credits and increase parental leave, and allocate $9 billion dollars to assist youth who age out of the foster care system. He concludes by saying "I encourage all Americans to honor this month by helping the children and youth in your communities secure their forever homes and find the love and connection that they need to thrive."

So there's a little tiny bit of the history, but does anyone see what is missing? Between the actual adoption and when an adoptee ages out of the system what are we doing to support them? Where are the resources, support networks, financial aid for an adoptee or a child in foster care during their formative, adolescent, teen years, and beyond? Where is the adoptee representation that is helping to shape the initiatives for National Adoption Month?

If you are an adoptee who doesn't always feel grateful, I see you. If you are having a reaction to today or someone has made a flippant comment about your adoption narrative, I see you. Adoption issues deserve and need to be recognized and talked about, but I think it's time to give the floor to the person most impacted - the adoptee. That is why adoptees advocates have chosen to recognize this month as National Adoptee Awareness Month in order to continue amplifying adoptee voices.

President Joe Biden I hope that your $1 billion to support job placement, health care, access to higher education, and other programs includes mental health scholarships for all adoptees and if it doesn't, feel free to reach out, I'd be happy to share some more of my great ideas 😀

08/03/2023

While reaching 500 followers may not mean much to some, it means the world to a small business, especially one that doesn't do great keeping up with social media (we're working on it)! Thank you for your continued support! We don't say this enough - we are grateful you are here!

For those of you who are new here, we are Sando Wellness, a Minnesota locally owned and operated mental health private practice that believes in the power of small and staying grounded with our community. Learn more at sandowellness.com

05/31/2023

Sando Wellness is beyond thrilled to welcome Nicole to our team of therapists! Visit our website www.sandowellness.com to learn more about her and to schedule a session! Spots will fill up quickly!

"I specialize in working with adults (18+) dealing with anxiety, depression and grief. I have a specific interest in supporting individuals who identify as women, college students (both traditional and adult learners), and individuals navigating transitions or experiencing burnout." - Nicole Morgan, MA, Therapist

05/10/2023

The Women's Empowerment Group for Adoptees of the Asian Diaspora (WEGAAD) meets monthly and is meant to hold space for magnificent Asian women to connect, relate, empower, and celebrate who we are. While aspects are like a support group, the main goal is to inspire one another and be able to have frank discussions about the challenges we face being Asian in Minnesota, being an adopted person, being an adult.

This group continues to be absolutely free to members and is open to all Minnesota residents who identify as Asian Women Adoptees. To learn more and to register please visit our website: https://www.sandowellness.com/wegaad

Continue to celebrate and uplift Asian voices this May for AAPI Heritage Month and everyday.

05/01/2023

It's May, can you believe? And May first marks the first day of AAPI Heritage Month. You probably already know that is a small business and private practice in Minnesota that is Asian owned an operated! We also host the WEGAAD group that recognizes and empowers Adoptees of the Asian diaspora.

This year's AAPI Heritage Month theme is Advancing Leaders Through Opportunity. We will be doing our part by lifting up fellow Asian entrepreneurs, business owners, artists, creators, and advocates by highlighting some of them here. Anyone you want to recognize this May? Share in the comments!

03/08/2023

It's International Women's Day and by happenstance The Women's Empowerment Group for Adoptees of the Asian Diaspora (WEGAAD) is holding it's 4th meeting tonight at 6pm!

This group is meant to hold space for magnificent Asian women to connect, relate, empower, and celebrate who we are. While aspects are like a support group, the main goal is to inspire one another and acknowledge we are not alone.

This group is absolutely free, but please register as details of the meeting will remain private among the members. Currently, the group will be for Minnesota residents only. If you are interested in joining register here: https://www.sandowellness.com/wegaad