Therapist Recruitment Information | On Your Feet Group Practice
About On Your Feet Foundation
On Your Feet Foundation is the only secular, independent non-profit organization in the United States dedicated to improving outcomes in adoption through direct service to birthparents. Founded in 2001, we have recognized for over two decades that adoption is both a human rights and reproductive rights issue, and we are committed to providing the comprehensive support, services, and community that birthparents deserve.
As the pioneer in adoption-competent care, On Your Feet Foundation provides case management, access to adoption-competent therapy, therapeutic retreats, education and counseling grants, adoption education and community-building, and advocacy through Activism in Adoption. In 2023, we served 582 birthparents across 46 states and Canada. Since 2015, we have served over 1,000 birthparents, awarded 183 grants totaling over $72,000, and conducted therapeutic retreats since 2005.
We are now expanding our clinical services through a revolutionary group practice model that addresses a critical gap in care: Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMAD) in birthparents.
The Critical Need We're Addressing
Birthparents have been historically underserved by mental health professionals who lack understanding of adoption's unique psychological impact. The need for adoption-competent therapy - care that understands the lifelong nature of adoption, complex grief, disenfranchised loss, and the intersection of reproductive choice and trauma - is urgent and largely unmet.
Adding to this crisis, research shows that PMAD affects at least 1 in 3 birthparents (compared to 1 in 5 in the general population), yet birthparents are systematically excluded from standard PMAD screening since they don't see pediatricians post-birth. This represents over 6,000 undiagnosed birthparents annually - a nearly $200 million problem within adoption alone.
What We Look for at On Your Feet Foundation
- Clinical expertise in adoption-competent therapy and a deep understanding of the unique psychological needs of birthparents
- Specialized training or experience in treating PMAD, including postpartum depression, anxiety, and trauma in the context of adoption placement
- Understanding of disenfranchised grief and complex loss processes unique to birthparents
- Proficiency in psychotherapy models such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Informed Care, Attachment Theory, and Grief and Loss therapy
- Deep understanding of adoption dynamics, including open and closed adoption relationships, birthparent rights, and the lifelong nature of the adoption experience
- Knowledge of the intersection of adoption trauma, reproductive justice, and perinatal mental health
- Empathetic and non-judgmental approach with strong verbal and written communication skills
- Comfort with virtual platforms, electronic health records, and digital communication tools
- Excited to join a pioneering program dedicated to serving a historically underserved and marginalized population
- Commitment to ongoing education about adoption issues, birthparent experiences, and PMAD treatment
Why This Work Matters
Birthparents face a convergence of trauma and mental health challenges that traditional providers often misunderstand. They experience 4x higher rates of suicide attempts, 2x higher rates of substance use disorders, and 2x higher rates of mental health referrals compared to the general population. Yet there is no standard of care for post-placement mental health assessment.
Our ideal candidate understands that adoption is a traumatic experience requiring specialized, culturally responsive care. You're passionate about serving birthparents who have been historically marginalized in adoption narratives and motivated by the opportunity to provide life-changing, adoption-competent mental healthcare.
Program Benefits for Contractors
Contractors choose preferred hours and days to see clients and will be added to our NPI 2 group practice. On Your Feet Foundation handles all credentialing with major commercial plans and Medicaid. Therapists are compensated commensurate with experience.
Contracted providers use our secure, HIPAA-compliant EHR system and receive:
- Ongoing training in adoption-competent care and PMAD treatment
- Connection to our broader network of adoption professionals
- Regular consultation on complex adoption and PMAD cases
- Access to specialized resources and assessment tools
