Psychiatric social work post-master’s fellows will receive focused training in the interdisciplinary, evidence-based treatment of children, adolescents and young adults with mental health conditions. Collectively, our outpatients represent a wide range of diagnoses, neurodivergence and psychosocial situations, ensuring broad patient exposure for each fellow.
This is a two-year program, including didactics in core skills and evidence-based models of therapy, supervision/mentorship and direct patient care. Fellows will gain experience practicing core competencies and skills in evaluation and treatment planning, and in providing evidence-based therapy suitable to each patient’s needs. Fellows will have the chance to work together as part of an interdisciplinary team of clinical social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists and nurses to meet each patient’s unique needs.
First Year
- Introduction and refinement of the core skills of evaluation, treatment planning and psychotherapy
- Basics of evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) taught through didactics and supervision of casework
- Weekly training course through the Maternal and Child Health Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Other Related Disabilities (LEND) program
- Introduction to family and group therapies and opportunities to observe other evidence-based/evidence-informed models of therapy with a wide variety of patients
- Didactics and independent learning on ethics and the systemic impact of social factors
- Discussion of current topics in mental healthcare
Participation in the second year is contingent upon the successful completion of the first-year learning contract.
Second Year
- In-depth learning of CBT, e.g., exposure and response prevention (ERP)
- Learning of other evidence-based/evidence-informed therapy models such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), motivational interviewing (MI), and models of family therapy and group curriculums
- Expansion of complexity of caseload
- Independent learning project, single-disciplinary or multidisciplinary quality improvement project, poster, or project resulting in a paper
At the conclusion of the two-year fellowship, participants will receive a certificate of completion and will have earned most of the supervision and practice hours required to apply to take the Maryland LCSW-C examination.
Additional Information
- Some fellowship activities are offered virtually, while others take place in person. Participants must be able to attend on-site training and practice activities at our Baltimore site.
- The training year runs from August through July.
- Fellows will be employed full time by Kennedy Krieger, will be compensated with a full-time salary and will receive full-time benefits.
- Fellows will be required to uphold a social work license (LMSW) from the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners.
- Employees are permitted to use accrued paid vacation time after employment for a minimum of six months and successful completion of the employee’s initial evaluation period.
- Fellows will have the opportunity to continue employment at Kennedy Krieger Institute upon conclusion of the program.
Timeline
- Application packets due: April 25, 2025
- Interviews: Mid-May 2025
- Decisions and notification: Early June 2025
- New employee orientation (on-site at Kennedy Krieger): August 11, 2025
Who May Apply
- Candidates who have graduated from an accredited school of social work, who hold a Maryland LMSW, and who have had no more than three years of professional social work experience may apply.
- Candidates may apply while completing the last semester of the advanced year of their Master of Social Work (MSW) program from an accredited school of social work.
- For a candidate to be considered for an interview, their application packet must be accompanied by a passing score on the examination or proof of a scheduled examination date.
- Candidates submitting an examination date must follow up by sending proof of a passing score on the exam. Final acceptance will be pending graduation and obtaining a LMSW license in the state of Maryland.
How to Apply
Application packets are due by April 25, 2025. Late or incomplete application packages will not be accepted.
Visit the Kennedy Krieger Human Resources webpage to submit:
- Kennedy Krieger employment application
- Curriculum vitae or resume
Kennedy Krieger Employment Application
Select the fellowship application employment form below and provide the necessary information, as well as to attach:
- Three (3) letters of recommendation
- MSW transcript
- Personal statement
- Clinical writing sample
Apply Now – Fellowship Application Employment Form
Information Sessions
To ask questions or to speak to program leadership, please consider attending one of our upcoming information sessions.
Join Us for a Fellowship Information Session