Counselor Resident / Social Work Fellow

Backpack Healthcare; Baltimore (MD); Remote; USD 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote

Job summary

Backpack Healthcare's Residency Program invites early-career clinicians to gain supervised telehealth experience delivering therapy to children, adolescents, and families. Counselor Residents and Social Work Fellows work toward independent licensure while receiving clinical supervision and structured training in a trauma-informed care framework.

The program offers both part-time and full-time tracks, flexible scheduling, and collaboration with an interdisciplinary team.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, or related field.
• Active provisional, associate-level, or equivalent license aligned with track (LMSW/LISW; LGPC).
• Current residence and licensure in a state Backpack Healthcare operates.
• Commitment to completing supervised clinical hours and licensure milestones.
• Interest in working with children, adolescents, and families.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to receive feedback and engage in supervision.
• Strong clinical judgment, professionalism, cultural humility, and ethical care.

Responsibilities

• Provide telehealth-based clinical care to children, adolescents, and families.
• Complete intake assessments, risk assessments, treatment plans, and safety plans under supervision.
• Ensure timely clinical documentation within 24 hours of each session.
• Attend individual and group supervision; engage in case consultations and log hours.
• Participate in the Residency Program curriculum and licensure exam preparation.
• Collaborate with clinical leadership, care coordination, and admin teams.
• Follow HIPAA, licensing regulations, ethical standards, and internal policies.
• Apply feedback and progress toward independent licensure.

Skills

Communication skills

Clinical judgment

Professionalism

Cultural humility

HIPAA compliance

Education

Master's degree in Social Work or Counseling

Active provisional/associate license aligned with track (LMSW/LISW; LGPC)

Job description

Backpack Healthcare | Residency Program | Fully Remote

At Backpack Healthcare, we believe every child and family deserves access to high-quality, compassionate mental health care. We are a clinician-led, minority-owned behavioral health organization providing accessible, whole-family mental health services to children, adolescents, and young adults through telehealth.

We understand that every individual carries an invisible backpack filled with experiences, emotions, and challenges. Our mission is to help lighten that load by connecting families with the support they need to thrive.

We're looking for passionate, motivated early-career clinicians to join our Residency Program as a Counselor Resident or Social Work Fellow. This is an opportunity to strengthen your clinical skills, gain supervised experience, and work toward independent licensure while making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families.

About The Role

Counselor Residents and Social Work Fellows provide telehealth-based therapy to children, adolescents, and families while completing the supervised clinical hours required for independent licensure. You'll receive clinical supervision, participate in structured training and professional development, and collaborate with an interdisciplinary team committed to delivering high-quality, trauma-informed care.

The title of your position will align with your licensure track, but both roles share the same core responsibilities and program expectations.

Available Tracks:

• Counselor Resident: For clinicians pursuing independent counseling licensure.
• Social Work Fellow: For clinicians pursuing independent clinical social work licensure.

Part-Time and Full-Time Opportunities Available

• Part-Time: Minimum of 15 client contact hours per week.
• Full-Time: Minimum of 25 client contact hours per week.

What You'll Do

• Provide Clinical Care: Deliver individual, family, and group therapy via telehealth to children, adolescents, and families.
• Conduct Assessments: Complete intake assessments, risk assessments, treatment plans, and safety plans under the guidance of your assigned Clinical Supervisor.
• Maintain Timely Documentation: Complete accurate, thorough clinical documentation within 24 hours of each session, following all organizational and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in Supervision: Attend scheduled individual and group supervision sessions, actively engage in case consultations, and consistently track clinical and supervision hours.
• Engage in Professional Development: Complete the Backpack Residency Program curriculum, including didactic training, case consultations, and licensure exam preparation.
• Collaborate Across Teams: Partner with clinical leadership, care coordination, and administrative teams to promote continuity of care and support positive client outcomes.
• Prioritize Compliance and Safety: Follow HIPAA requirements, applicable state licensing regulations, ethical standards, and Backpack's clinical policies and procedures.
• Build Your Clinical Expertise: Apply feedback, participate in required training, and demonstrate consistent progress toward independent licensure.

What We're Looking For

• A master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, or a related mental health field, either completed or in the final term of your program.
• An active provisional, associate-level, or equivalent license that aligns with your residency track:
  • Social Work Fellow: LMSW or state-equivalent provisional/associate social work license.
  • Counselor Resident: LGPC or state-equivalent provisional/associate counseling license.
• Current residence and licensure in a state where Backpack Healthcare operates.
• Commitment to completing all supervised clinical hours and licensure milestones required for independent practice.
• A strong interest in working with children, adolescents, and families.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• A willingness to receive feedback, engage in supervision, and continuously develop your clinical skills.
• Strong clinical judgment, professionalism, cultural humility, and a commitment to ethical, identity-affirming care.

What Success Looks Like

• Meet your designated weekly client contact hour requirements.
• Complete all clinical documentation within 24 hours of each session.
• Attend all scheduled individual and group supervision sessions and log hours weekly.
• Make steady progress toward licensure milestones in partnership with your Clinical Supervisor.
• Participate actively in training, case consultations, and exam preparation.
• Meet quarterly performance expectations for clinical development, documentation quality, and professional conduct.

Work Environment

This is a fully remote, telehealth-based position. Team members must have a private, HIPAA-compliant workspace, reliable high-speed internet, and the ability to conduct scheduled video sessions in a professional environment.

Why Join Backpack Healthcare?

• Grow With Support: Receive structured supervision, clinical guidance, and professional development as you work toward independent licensure.
• Make a Meaningful Impact: Support children, adolescents, and families as they navigate mental health challenges and build healthier futures.
• Learn Through Collaboration: Work alongside a multidisciplinary team that values clinical excellence, teamwork, and compassionate care.
• Build Your Career: Strengthen your clinical foundation through hands-on experience, case consultation, and licensure exam preparation.
• Be Part of a Mission-Driven Team: Join an organization working to make quality mental health care more accessible to the families who need it most.

Backpack Healthcare is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity in age, background, identity, experience, ability, and perspective - and we're committed to creating a team that reflects the communities we serve.