Travel Therapist - Mental Health & Substance Use Treatment
Listed compensation
$80k-$90k
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, nights and shift pattern and time off.
Job Description
Job Title: Travel Therapist
Location
Travel to Sandstone Care's Northern Virginia Facilities Required. Locations include Chantilly, Reston, Alexandria, and Richmond, VA.
- Schedule: Full Time | Variable Schedule - Evening and Weekend Availability Required
- Compensation: $80,000–$90,000 annually (based on licensure and experience)
About The Role
As a Travel Therapist, you will provide therapeutic services across Sandstone Care's Outpatient and Detox programs in Northern Virginia, supporting adolescents and young adults on their recovery journey. This role offers the opportunity to work across multiple levels of care and treatment settings, serving as a key clinical resource for our teams.
You will facilitate individual, group, and family therapy sessions while partnering with multidisciplinary teams to deliver evidence-based treatment and exceptional client care. The ideal candidate is adaptable, relationship-focused, and thrives in dynamic environments while maintaining the highest standards of clinical excellence.
Key Responsibilities
Deliver individual, group, and family therapy using evidence-based modalities tailored to each client’s needs across all level of care in assigned region.
Develop, implement, and monitor comprehensive treatment plans in collaboration with clients, families, and the clinical team.
Ensure all clinical documentation is accurate, timely, and compliant with organizational and insurance standards.
- Participate in utilization reviews and discussions on medical necessity with insurance providers as needed.
- Coordinate with families to ensure alignment on treatment goals and progress.
- Actively contributes to program development, performance improvement initiatives, and family programming.
- Foster collaboration within the treatment team to ensure a cohesive and supportive care environment.
- Represent the organization positively in interactions with families, referral sources, and community partners.
Qualifications
Candidates applying for this position should be aware that an offer for employment in this position is contingent upon passing a comprehensive background check, encompassing criminal records and motor vehicle reports.
A valid driver's License and clean driving history are required – Travel Therapists are required to commute between locations in assigned region as needed.
A master’s degree in behavioral health science (Clinical Social Work, Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, or related field) is Required
An active license in the state of VA in good standing is required - Clinical licensure is strongly preferred
LPC / LCSW / LMFT / Resident in Counseling / Supervisee in Social Work / Resident in Marriage and Family Therapy
An ideal candidate has a minimum of 3 years of experience, including experience with clients from the age of 13 – 30 in a detox, residential, partial hospitalization (“PHP”), and/or intensive outpatient (“IOP) setting
CPR certification strongly preferred, or the ability to obtain CPR certification within the first 30 days of employment
Candidates must demonstrate a proven ability to manage diverse caseloads while maintaining a high standard of care.
The Perks
At Sandstone Care, we believe that great care starts with our employees. That’s why we offer a comprehensive benefits package to support you in your personal and professional journey. Some of the benefits include:
A competitive compensation and total rewards package including a meaningful salary, merit-based pay increases, and professional growth opportunities.
A flexible PTO package that includes accrued PTO, paid holidays, and wellbeing days
High quality medical, dental, and vision insurance with a variety of package options that meet your needs and majority company paid.
A robust Employee Assistance Program: Including counseling, legal consultations, financial planning, and wellness coaching.
A collaborative and supportive community of therapists and team members: Fostering a positive work environment.
What to Expect: Our Interview Process
Here's an Overview of What Comes Next
- Application Review: We'll promptly review your application within a couple of business days.
- Discovery Call: Expect a 30-minute discovery call with one of our Talent Acquisition Specialists.
- Interview with Hiring Manager: You'll have 1 hour interview with the Clinical Services Director
- Offer: If all goes well, you'll receive an offer.
- Expected Interview Timeline: The entire process typically takes 2-3 weeks.
- Sandstone Care’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
At Sandstone Care, we are committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion that not only enriches the lives of our employees but also ensures the wellbeing and care of our clients, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age, ability, or background. We believe that embracing diversity and promoting equity and inclusion are integral to our mission of providing high-quality behavioral health services.
Sandstone Care is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered.
We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other legally protected status. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.
Qualifications
- Education
- Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Certifications
Key Skills
Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context
Of the 50 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 40% are remote, 50% have no call, 64% require no weekends.
The cost-of-living index for Virginia is 101.1 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$85k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $84k in an average-cost state. 61.1% of Virginia clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Listed pay | $80k–$90k | Substance Use / Addiction Counselor median $65k (middle half $57k–$69k)13 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$84k in purchasing power | Virginia index 101.1 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Addiction Medicine listings in Virginia | 42 active | —live on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| All substance use / addiction counselor listings in Virginia | 423 active | 12,904 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 40% remote · 50% no call · 64% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | Virginia counselor listings (all specialties): 16% state a sign-on bonus (median $2k) · 12% offer loan repayment423 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Addiction Medicine listings | 422 in the last 30 days | 230 the 30 days before (+83%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Sandstone Care | #11 of 21 for pay | Top Employers work-life index |
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