Rachel Medefind

Director of the Institute for Family-Centered Healing & Health

Rachel is Director of the Institute for Family-Centered Healing & Health at the Christian Alliance for Orphans. She has a background in physical therapy and holds a Master’s in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health from King’s College London, specializing in early adversity. Rachel has served on multiple boards supporting vulnerable children and helped found Tyndale Christian School in Arlington, Virginia. She advises families facing complex parenting challenges and has invested deeply in education and youth formation. Her recent book, When There Is Crisis: A Handbook for Christian Foster & Adoptive Families Facing Serious Struggle, offers biblically grounded principles and research-based, practical guidance to support families walking through seasons of crisis. Rachel and her husband, Jedd, have welcomed children through birth, adoption and foster care.

LinkedIn

Latest Articles by Rachel Medefind

The incredible benefits of practicing forgiveness 

Forgiveness is a powerful practice for human flourishing, offering profound mental, physical, spiritual and relational benefits as evidenced in both science and Scripture.  This is part one of a two-blog...
Read More about The incredible benefits of practicing forgiveness 

A review of recent adoption research shows positive outcomes over time

From movies and books to pop psychology, it's often implied that children who enter a family through adoption are fated to bad outcomes.  Genetic variations, early trauma, loss of biological...
Read More about A review of recent adoption research shows positive outcomes over time

Living within limits: Unburdening summertime to promote flourishing 

Right before summer break begins each year, I have the same conversation with fellow mothers.  We’re eager for the break – the slower pace, being more relaxed and having more...
Read More about Living within limits: Unburdening summertime to promote flourishing 

Remarkable findings from NCFA’s groundbreaking survey of adult adoptees

An expansive new study released last week offers important and compelling insight from the perspectives and experiences of adults who were adopted as children through foster care, private adoption or...
Read More about Remarkable findings from NCFA’s groundbreaking survey of adult adoptees

How does healthy eating improve mental health for foster and adoptive families? 

This is the third article in a three-part series on The Powerful Role of the Body in Mental Health. Find the first and second articles here. For most of us,...
Read More about How does healthy eating improve mental health for foster and adoptive families? 

How does physical activity help improve mental health for foster and adoptive families?

This is the second article in a three-part series on The Powerful Role of the Body in Mental Health.  Find the first and third articles here. A rosy-cheeked child energetically...
Read More about How does physical activity help improve mental health for foster and adoptive families?
Row rect Shape Decorative svg added to bottom

Stay connected with news and stories of impact in your inbox