Business Details
32 Years
experience
Transformative Mental Health Care for Foster Youth
A Home Within was founded in 1994 with a mission to provide transformative mental health care to foster youth while building the field of the future. Our organization operates as a community-driven solution to the youth mental health crisis, offering free, unlimited, relationship-based therapy to young people who have experienced foster care. We maintain a nationwide network of 650+ volunteer therapists across 30 chapters in 25 states, providing 30,000 hours of free therapy annually. Our model allows clients and therapists to determine treatment duration without administrative or fiscal constraints. Through research partnerships like our collaboration with the University of San Francisco's Foster Care Research Group, we've demonstrated measurable improvements in client outcomes over two decades.We offer clinical training, professional development, and continuing education programs for mental health professionals, with a focus on trauma-responsive care and cultural competency. Our volunteer community includes clinicians, consultation group leaders, chapter directors, and ambassadors who collectively serve nearly 700 young people nationwide. We maintain strict adherence to clinical ethics and professional standards while operating independently of government grants or insurance contracts.
Services
Free psychotherapy
Clinical training programs
Continuing education events
Professional development
Research initiatives
Consultation groups
Chapter leadership roles
Ambassador outreach
Telehealth therapy
Cultural competency training
Details
- Year established: 1994
Highlights and features
- Volunteer therapists donate 50 minutes weekly for as long as needed
- Nationwide network spanning 30 chapters across 25 states
- Research-backed outcomes from 30 years of service delivery
- Specialized training in trauma-responsive care for foster care populations
- Client-directed treatment planning with voice and choice principles
What people say
Life-changing support
Therapist availability
No time limits
Professional expertise
Cultural understanding
Services
Free psychotherapy
Our core service provides weekly 50-minute therapy sessions with licensed clinicians who volunteer their time. Clients maintain control over treatment duration without administrative limitations. This service addresses trauma from foster care experiences through relationship-based care that adapts to individual needs across the lifespan. Therapists receive ongoing support through consultation groups and continuing education programs.
Clinical training
We offer specialized training programs for mental health professionals working with foster care populations. Our curriculum covers trauma-responsive care, cultural competency, and evidence-based practices. Participants gain access to a national network of clinicians and receive continuing education credits through approved programs with NBCC, ASWB, and APA accreditation.
Continuing education
Our accredited continuing education events feature expert-led training on topics relevant to foster care mental health. Programs include Cue-Centered Therapy certification and caregiver engagement strategies. All events provide professional development credits and remain accessible through our online library for enrolled clinicians seeking to enhance their trauma-informed practice.
Research initiatives
We conduct longitudinal research on the effectiveness of long-term therapy relationships for foster youth. Partnering with academic institutions since 2002, our studies demonstrate measurable improvements in client outcomes. Findings consistently show reduced symptoms and enhanced relational functioning across multiple domains of clients' lives.
Chapter leadership
Regional chapter directors organize volunteer networks and ensure access to clinical resources. This structure provides localized support while maintaining national program standards. Chapters facilitate consultation groups and coordinate continuing education opportunities that address specific community needs within our broader service framework.
People
Reed Connell
Executive Director
With 25 years in foster care policy and mental health, Reed leads strategic initiatives and advocacy efforts. He holds an MSW from UC Berkeley and previously co-founded Social Change Partners, LLC to support child welfare organizations.
Candice Simonds
Chief Program Officer
Candice oversees program development and directs the Building Practice in Community initiative. A licensed clinical social worker in California and Ohio, she operates a private practice focused on multicultural identity and psychosocial stress.
Dr. Toni Heineman
Founder
Dr. Heineman established A Home Within in 1994 to address mental health needs of foster youth. Her vision created the first national network of volunteer therapists providing unlimited relationship-based therapy, fundamentally changing access to care.
Anthony Pico
Board Member
A former foster youth and nationally recognized advocate, Anthony brings lived experience to our governance. He serves as policy advisor to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and represents Native American communities in his current role.
Adanna Eke
Director of Building Practice in Community
Adanna leads our initiative to expand culturally affirming care through mentorship and professional development. A licensed clinical social worker, she focuses on trauma recovery and perinatal mental health while maintaining her volunteer clinical roles.
Questions
What makes A Home Within's therapy model unique?
Our model provides unlimited, relationship-based therapy with no predetermined end date. Clients and therapists determine treatment duration collaboratively, free from insurance or funding constraints.
Who qualifies for services?
Current and former foster youth of any age qualify for our services. We serve individuals from age 2 to 72 who have lived experience in the foster care system.
How are therapists matched with clients?
Clients receive therapist lists based on preferences and clinical needs. They contact selected therapists directly to establish compatibility and begin sessions.
What professional benefits do volunteers receive?
Volunteers gain access to continuing education programs, consultation groups, and a national network of mental health professionals focused on trauma-informed care for foster youth.
How is service quality maintained without fees?
Our volunteer clinicians maintain private practice standards while donating time. Quality assurance comes through ongoing training, peer consultation, and adherence to professional licensing requirements.
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