Join a Neurodivergent-Led, Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy Practice

Therapists deserve affirming workplaces, too.

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Heartstone Guidance Center is a Michigan group therapy practice created by neurodivergent therapists for neurodivergent therapists and clients. We provide neurodiversity-affirming mental health therapy to autistic, ADHD, AuDHD, PDA, OCD, LGBTQIA+, and otherwise neurodivergent people of all ages.

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We are building the kind of practice many of us needed earlier in our careers: a place where therapists can do meaningful clinical work without constantly explaining or defending neurodiversity-affirming care. Different communication styles, sensory needs, working rhythms, identities, and access needs are respected here.

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We are currently interested in connecting with neurodivergent Michigan-licensed mental health therapists, clinical social workers, counselors, marriage and family therapists, and psychologists who want to practice from a compassionate, trauma-informed, non-pathologizing, and socially conscious perspective.

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Why Therapists Choose Heartstone

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A Neurodivergent-Led Clinical Community

Heartstone is not a conventional practice attempting to add neurodiversity language to a traditional clinical model. Neurodivergent experience and neurodiversity-affirming values are part of the foundation of our practice.

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Heartstone was created in response to the harm that can occur when autistic and otherwise neurodivergent people receive therapy from systems that view their neurology primarily as pathology. Our clinical model depends on therapists who understand neurodivergent life from the inside—not only through textbooks, diagnostic criteria, or professional training.

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We believe lived experience provides forms of insight, recognition, and accountability that cannot be fully replicated by academic knowledge alone. Heartstone therefore intentionally recruits and prioritizes qualified therapists who personally identify as neurodivergent.

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Our clinicians understand that autism, ADHD, AuDHD, OCD, PDA profiles, learning differences, and other forms of neurodivergence affect far more than a list of symptoms. Neurodivergence can influence communication, sensory experience, identity, relationships, executive functioning, energy, transitions, trauma, and a person's experience of the world.

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We also understand that therapists may need flexibility, direct communication, processing time, sensory accommodations, or alternatives to conventional workplace expectations. We aim to create a professional environment in which clinicians can communicate authentically and ask for what they need.

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Focus on Therapy While We Handle the Administrative Details

Therapists should not have to become billing specialists, credentialing experts, marketers, and intake coordinators simply to do the clinical work they love.

Heartstone provides:

• Client referrals and practice marketing

• Insurance credentialing and paneling support

• Initial client screening, matching, onboarding, and scheduling

• Insurance billing and claims support

• A HIPAA-compliant electronic health record and telehealth platform

• Therapist profile development and promotion on the Heartstone website

• Administrative and technical support

• Access to furnished therapy offices in downtown Grand Rapids

• Optional consultation and therapist support meetings

You bring your clinical knowledge, values, interests, and humanity. Our support team handles many of the details surrounding the therapy.

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Flexibility and Professional Autonomy

Our therapists choose the days and times they want to offer appointments. Daytime, evening, and weekend schedules are possible. Clinicians determine the size of their caseload and identify the populations and clinical concerns that fit their interests and competence.

We ask clinicians to offer at least 10 client hours per week. Therapists may gradually build a part-time or fuller caseload depending on their goals, availability, referral fit, credentialing status, and client demand.

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Community Without Compulsory Togetherness

Therapists can be part of a supportive team without being expected to socialize constantly or perform professionalism in one narrow, neurotypical way.

Consultation and support are available, but clinicians are also trusted to manage their energy and participate in ways that are sustainable for them. We value direct communication, thoughtful boundaries, collaboration, and respect for different interaction styles.

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Good-Fit Referrals

Heartstone works to connect therapists with clients whose needs align with their experience, clinical interests, identities, and preferred populations. We collaborate with each clinician to create a public profile that helps prospective clients understand who they are and how they practice.

No therapist is a good fit for every client. Thoughtful matching benefits both clients and clinicians.

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Hybrid Work in Grand Rapids and Across Michigan

Heartstone therapists may provide secure telehealth therapy to clients located throughout Michigan and in-person therapy from our downtown Grand Rapids office.

Current hybrid openings require some in-person availability in Grand Rapids in addition to telehealth availability. The specific balance of in-person and virtual appointments can be discussed during the application process.

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Support for Eligible Limited-License Clinicians

Heartstone welcomes applications from eligible limited-license clinicians when appropriate supervision and suitable opportunities are available. Clinical supervision is provided for qualifying limited-license positions.

We want developing clinicians to receive supervision that supports sound ethics, strong clinical judgment, professional growth, and genuinely neurodiversity-affirming care.

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Who We Hope to Meet

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We may be a good fit if you:

• Personally identify as neurodivergent and want to work within a neurodivergent clinical community

• Hold an active Michigan mental health license or eligible limited license

• Have a master's or doctoral degree in social work, counseling, psychology, marriage and family therapy, or a related clinical field

• Practice from a neurodiversity-affirming and non-pathologizing perspective

• Understand that autistic and ADHD traits are not defects to eliminate

• Respect client autonomy, communication differences, sensory needs, identities, and lived experience

• Are LGBTQIA+ affirming and comfortable supporting clients across diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and relationship structures

• Understand the effects of ableism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, poverty, and other forms of systemic marginalization

• Use trauma-informed care without assuming that every neurodivergent characteristic is caused by trauma

• Can maintain appropriate clinical documentation, ethical boundaries, licensure requirements, and professional communication

• Value collaboration while also being able to practice independently

• Want to continue learning and remain open to feedback

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We are particularly interested in clinicians with experience or interest in:

• Autism, ADHD, and AuDHD

• PDA profiles and autonomy-sensitive care

• OCD and neurodiversity-affirming ERP

• Trauma, complex trauma, and dissociation

• LGBTQIA+ and identity-affirming therapy

• Children, adolescents, and families

• Couples and relationship therapy

• Autistic burnout, masking, and late identification

• Chronic illness, disability, and medical trauma

• Anxiety, depression, executive functioning, and life transitions

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Heartstone intentionally recruits and prioritizes qualified neurodivergent clinicians as part of our commitment to creating professional opportunities for neurodivergent and disabled therapists. Applicants do not need a formal diagnosis and are never asked to provide diagnostic records or private medical details.

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Current Therapist Opportunities

Neurodiversity-Affirming Child and Adolescent Therapist

We are especially interested in clinicians who enjoy supporting neurodivergent children, adolescents, and families. Experience with autism, ADHD, AuDHD, PDA profiles, anxiety, OCD, school-related trauma, emotional regulation, family systems, or LGBTQIA+ youth is particularly valuable.

This role includes hybrid telehealth and in-person availability in downtown Grand Rapids.

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Neurodiversity-Affirming Adult Therapist

We welcome clinicians interested in working with autistic, ADHD, AuDHD, OCD, LGBTQIA+, and otherwise neurodivergent adults. Common areas of work may include burnout, masking, identity, relationships, trauma, anxiety, depression, executive functioning, chronic illness, and major life transitions.

This role includes Michigan telehealth and/or in-person availability in downtown Grand Rapids.

[Learn More and Apply]

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Limited-License Mental Health Therapist

When supervision capacity and appropriate openings are available, we welcome applications from Michigan limited-license clinicians who are committed to developing their skills within a neurodiversity-affirming practice.

Eligible positions include clinical supervision, administrative support, credentialing assistance, referrals, and access to an experienced clinical community.

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Apply Here

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Don't See the Exact Role You Are Looking For?

We are always interested in connecting with thoughtful, neurodiversity-affirming Michigan clinicians. If Heartstone feels like the kind of professional community you have been looking for, you may introduce yourself even when we do not have an opening that perfectly matches your specialty.

[Join Our Clinician Interest List]

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How the Application Process Works

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1. Tell Us About Yourself

Submit your resume and a brief introduction describing:

• The clients and age groups you most enjoy serving

• Your experience with neurodiversity-affirming care

• What neurodiversity-affirming therapy means in your clinical work

• Your preferred schedule and anticipated weekly availability

• Your availability for in-person sessions in Grand Rapids

You do not need to disclose your own neurotype, diagnosis, disability, or medical history.

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2. Meet With Us

If your experience and clinical approach appear aligned with Heartstone, we will invite you to a video conversation. This is an opportunity for us to learn about your work and for you to ask direct questions about Heartstone, compensation, referrals, scheduling, supervision, administrative support, and practice expectations.

3. Review the Details

Before accepting a position, qualified candidates receive clear information about the independent-contractor agreement, compensation structure, credentialing process, documentation expectations, available support, and anticipated onboarding timeline.

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4. Credentialing and Onboarding

Once agreements are complete, our support team assists with credentialing, profile development, systems access, and preparation for new client referrals. Credentialing timelines vary by insurer and cannot always be predicted.

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Apply Here

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Frequently Asked Questions About Working at Heartstone

Is Heartstone a neurodivergent-owned or neurodivergent-led practice?

Yes. Heartstone Guidance Center was founded by an autistic therapist and practice owner and is led from a neurodiversity-affirming perspective. Many members of our clinical team are autistic, ADHD, AuDHD, or otherwise neurodivergent.

Neurodivergence is not a marketing specialty added to an otherwise conventional practice. It is part of our history, clinical framework, workplace culture, and reason for existing.

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Do I have to be neurodivergent to work at Heartstone?

No. Personal connection to neurodivergent communities is valued, but applicants are not required to identify as neurodivergent or disclose any diagnosis, disability, or medical information.

All clinicians must demonstrate a meaningful understanding of neurodiversity-affirming care and the ability to work respectfully with neurodivergent clients and colleagues. We assess clinical knowledge, values, behavior, and willingness to learn—not private medical information.

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What does neurodiversity-affirming therapy mean at Heartstone?

Neurodiversity-affirming therapy recognizes neurological differences as meaningful forms of human diversity rather than automatically treating them as defects or failures.

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This does not mean ignoring disability, distress, support needs, or the parts of neurodivergence that can be profoundly difficult. It means helping clients understand themselves, access needed support, reduce suffering, build workable lives, and pursue personally meaningful goals without making normality or masking the price of care.

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Our clinicians respect autonomy, identity, sensory experience, communication differences, consent, and individual context. We do not use compliance, forced normalization, or the elimination of harmless autistic or ADHD traits as measures of therapeutic success.

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Which Michigan licenses does Heartstone consider?

Depending on the opening and available supervision, Heartstone may consider clinicians holding an active Michigan LMSW, LLMSW, LPC, LPC, LMFT, psychologist, or other applicable mental health license.

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Applicants must remain in good standing with their licensing board and practice within the scope of their license, training, and competence.

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Does Heartstone hire limited-license clinicians?

Yes, for designated positions when appropriate supervision and credentialing opportunities are available. Clinical supervision is provided for eligible limited-license clinicians.

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Because supervision capacity, insurer participation, and client demand can change, the availability of limited-license positions may vary.

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Is this a W-2 employee position or a 1099 independent-contractor position?

Current therapist opportunities are generally structured as 1099 independent-contractor positions. They are not salaried employee positions and do not include traditional employee benefits such as paid time off or employer-sponsored health insurance.

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Contract therapists maintain significant control over their schedules and caseload size while agreeing to Heartstone's clinical, ethical, documentation, privacy, and practice standards.

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How are therapists paid?

Therapist compensation is based on completed clinical services rather than a guaranteed annual salary. Earnings vary based on licensure, caseload, services provided, payer reimbursement, credentialing status, client attendance, and other factors.

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We explain the applicable compensation structure and provide candidates an opportunity to ask detailed questions before they are asked to accept a position. Applicants should not interpret estimated annual earnings as a guaranteed salary.

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How many hours do therapists need to offer?

We generally ask clinicians to offer at least 10 client hours per week. Therapists may offer daytime, evening, or weekend appointments and may build a part-time or fuller caseload.

Availability should be consistent enough for clients to receive reliable care. The exact schedule is developed collaboratively based on clinician preferences, office availability, referral demand, and client needs.

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Can I work completely remotely?

Our current Grand Rapids openings are hybrid and require some in-person availability at our downtown Grand Rapids office in addition to telehealth availability. At other times we will be hiring online only therapists. 

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Telehealth services may be provided to clients located throughout Michigan, subject to licensure, payer, clinical, and legal requirements. Clinicians must be licensed in Michigan and live in Michigan for the positions currently advertised.

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Do I have to work with children or adolescents?

Not for every position. Heartstone serves people across the lifespan, and we welcome clinicians who specialize in adults, couples, families, or particular clinical concerns.

We currently have a strong need for clinicians who want to work with neurodivergent children and adolescents, so that experience is particularly valuable.

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Does Heartstone guarantee a full caseload?

No practice can ethically guarantee a particular number of clients or annual income. Referral volume varies based on clinician availability, specialties, insurance participation, location, client preferences, season, and community demand.

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Heartstone actively markets the practice, responds to prospective clients, and helps match clients with appropriate therapists. We also work with each clinician to develop a profile that clearly communicates their approach and specialties.

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How quickly will my caseload grow?

Caseload growth varies. Insurance credentialing may take weeks or months, and referral demand differs by schedule, specialty, age group, location, and payer participation. Evening, child and adolescent, couples, in-person, and certain specialty openings may fill differently from general daytime telehealth availability.

We will discuss current referral patterns honestly, but we cannot promise a precise caseload-building timeline.

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Does Heartstone handle insurance credentialing and billing?

Yes. Our support team assists with insurance credentialing, paneling, claims submission, billing processes, and related administrative work. Clinicians are responsible for promptly providing the information and documents needed to complete credentialing and maintain accurate records.

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Who handles new-client inquiries and scheduling?

Our support team responds to prospective-client inquiries, gathers initial information, helps identify potential therapist matches, assists with onboarding, and coordinates initial scheduling.

Therapists remain responsible for ongoing clinical scheduling and communication with established clients, with support available for illness, emergencies, and unusual circumstances.

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What technology does Heartstone provide?

Heartstone provides access to a HIPAA-compliant electronic health record and telehealth platform for Heartstone clients. Therapists are expected to maintain appropriate privacy, internet access, technology, and a confidential environment when working remotely.

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Is office space provided?

Yes. Heartstone has furnished therapy office space in downtown Grand Rapids. Office availability and scheduling are coordinated based on the clinician's in-person schedule and the needs of the broader practice.

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Are consultation or team meetings required?

Heartstone offers optional consultation and therapist support meetings. We want clinicians to have access to community and clinical support without creating unnecessary meetings or compulsory social participation.

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Certain orientation, compliance, supervision, or case-specific meetings may be necessary depending on the clinician's role, licensing status, client needs, or legal and ethical responsibilities.

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What clinical approaches does Heartstone use?

Heartstone clinicians bring varied training and may use approaches such as EMDR, ACT, IFS-informed therapy, ERP, relational therapy, trauma-informed therapy, somatic approaches, mindfulness, and adapted CBT or DBT.

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We do not require every therapist to practice the same way. Interventions must be ethical, clinically appropriate, within the therapist's competence, and adapted to the client's neurotype, communication, culture, goals, and access needs.

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Is Heartstone LGBTQIA+ affirming?

Yes. Heartstone welcomes LGBTQIA+ clients and clinicians. Therapists must be able to practice respectfully and affirmingly with people across sexual orientations, gender identities, relationship structures, cultures, and backgrounds.

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Affirming care means more than being generally accepting. It requires respect for identity, autonomy, language, lived experience, and the effects of discrimination and minority stress.

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What malpractice coverage is required?

Therapists must maintain their own professional liability insurance with coverage of at least $1 million per occurrence and $3 million aggregate, unless a particular agreement specifies otherwise.

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Can I maintain another professional role or private practice?

Because outside professional activities and contractual arrangements differ, candidates should discuss existing employment, private-practice work, insurance contracts, conflicts of interest, and scheduling considerations during the application process. Any applicable expectations will be clearly described in the independent-contractor agreement.

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What should I include with my application?

Please submit a current resume and a brief introduction describing:

• The clients and age groups you most enjoy working with

• Your experience with neurodivergent clients and communities

• What neurodiversity-affirming therapy means to you

• Your clinical specialties or areas of developing interest

• Your anticipated weekly availability

• Your availability for in-person work in downtown Grand Rapids

We are much more interested in a thoughtful, genuine introduction than a highly formal cover letter.

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Can I request accommodations during the application process?

Yes. We welcome accommodation requests related to the application and interview process. Candidates may request clear written questions, additional processing time, camera flexibility, communication adjustments, or other reasonable supports.

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Requesting an accommodation will not negatively affect consideration for a position.

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What happens after I apply?

We review your experience, license, preferred populations, availability, and understanding of neurodiversity-affirming practice. Candidates whose qualifications and approach appear aligned with a current opening will be invited to a video conversation.

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Although we cannot interview every applicant, we aim to communicate respectfully and avoid unnecessarily prolonged or confusing hiring processes.

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What if there is not a current opening that matches me?

You may still join our clinician interest list. Heartstone's needs change as client demand, office availability, supervision capacity, and insurance participation evolve. We may contact you when a suitable opportunity becomes available.

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Introduce Yourself

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Looking for a Different Kind of Therapy Practice?

If you want to provide thoughtful, neurodiversity-affirming therapy within a neurodivergent-led clinical community, we would be glad to learn more about you.

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You do not need to perform a polished version of yourself or share private diagnostic information. Tell us how you work, what matters to you clinically, who you hope to serve, and what you are looking for in a practice.

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Apply Here

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Heartstone Guidance Center serves clients throughout Michigan through telehealth and provides in-person therapy in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan.

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