H-1B Visa Behavioral Health Counselor Jobs
Behavioral Health Counselor roles qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations when the position requires at least a bachelor's degree in counseling, psychology, or a directly related field. Many hospitals, community mental health centers, and nonprofit agencies sponsor H-1B petitions for licensed counselors, making this a viable path to long-term U.S. work authorization.
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Get Access To All JobsLocation: UCHealth UCHlth Poudre Valley Hospital, US:CO:Fort Collins
Department: PVH MC IP Psych Care Coordinat
Work Schedule: Part Time, 60.00 hours per pay period (2 weeks)
Shift: Days
Pay: $31.61 - $47.41 / hour. Pay is dependent on applicant's relevant experience
This position is an onsite role and does not offer a hybrid or remote option
Career Ladder: UCHealth offers a structured way for you to grow your skills, responsibilities, and pay in this position. As you gain experience and expertise, you will have the opportunity to move through different levels of this career ladder.
Summary:
Provides triage, assessment and treatment to patients and families, assists with disposition planning and provision of education and resources.
Responsibilities:
- Implements counseling/therapy for assigned patients in both individual and group settings dependent upon program specific regulatory requirements.
- Interviews and assesses patients and/or patient's family, caregivers, and/or legal representatives.
- Determines, provides and/or arranges for needed internal and external services/interventions.
- Participates and/or arranges case reviews/care conferences to evaluate progress.
- Assists with discharge planning and processes, including identification of community-based resources, and provides referrals as part of the discharge plan.
- Utilizes appropriate teaching methods and/or referrals to ensure patient/family educational needs are met.
- Within scope of job, requires critical thinking skills, decisive judgement and the ability to work with minimal supervision. Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and take appropriate action.
Requirements:
- Master's Degree.
- State licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPC-C), Marriage and Family Therapist Candidate (MFT-C), Social Work Candidate (SWC), or Licensed Social Worker (LSW). Relevant life support certification and other certifications as determined at position level.
- BLS and Advanced CPI within 6 months of hire.
- BLS through the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer with card in-hand before start date. BLS or CPR card must be good through sixty days of hire.
Employees are our number one asset.
UCHealth promotes a culture that invests in professional success and personal well-being through a comprehensive total rewards program.
Recognition
- Performance bonus: UCHealth offers a 3-Year Incentive Bonus to recognize employee contributions to our success in quality, patient experience, organizational growth, financial goals and tenure. The bonus accumulates annually each October and is paid out in October during the third year of employment.
- Performance-based pay increase: The Annual Merit Pay Increase recognizes work performance that meets or consistently exceeds performance standards documented through UCHealth's established evaluation process and accounts for increased experience, skills and cost of living.
- Market reviews: All UCHealth positions are reviewed annually to ensure UCHealth base pay aligns with market standards. Base pay rates are adjusted as needed to stay market competitive.
Health and well-being
- Medical, dental and vision coverage.
- Access to 24/7 mental health and well-being support for employees and dependents.
- Discounted gym memberships and fitness resources.
- Free Care.com membership.
- Voluntary benefits such as accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal plan, identity theft protection, pet insurance, auto and home insurance, and employee discount programs.
- Time away from work: Paid time off (PTO), paid family and medical leave (inclusive of Colorado FAMLI), leaves of absence.
- Employer-provided basic life and accidental death and dismemberment coverage with buy-up coverage options.
- Employer-provided short-term disability and long-term disability with a buy-up coverage option.
Retirement and savings
- 403(b) plan with employer matching contribution.
- Additional 457(b) plan may be available.
- Flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent day care; health savings account available when enrolled in high-deductible (HD) medical plan.
Education and career growth
- UCHealth provides access to academic degrees and certificate programs to promote professional and personal growth.
- Up to 100% of tuition, books and fees paid for by UCHealth for specific educational degrees.
- Other programs may qualify for up to $10,000/year pre-paid by UCHealth or up to $5,250/year in the form of tuition reimbursement.
- Access to LinkedIn Learning, which offers thousands of virtual courses and seminars, and internal professional development opportunities.
- Employees have access to free assistance navigating the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and submitting their federal student loans for forgiveness.
Eligibility for some programs is based on an employee's scheduled work hours.
We improve lives. In big ways through learning, healing, and discovery. In small, personal ways through human connection. But in all ways, we improve lives.
UCHealth always welcomes talent. This position will be open for a minimum of three days and until a top applicant is identified.
UCHealth recognizes and appreciates the rich array of talents and perspectives that equal employment and diversity can offer our institution. As an equal opportunity employer, UCHealth is committed to making all employment decisions based on valid requirements. No applicant shall be discriminated against in any terms, conditions or privileges of employment or otherwise be discriminated against because of the individual's race, color, national origin, language, culture, ethnicity, age, religion, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender, veteran status, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state, or local law. UCHealth does not discriminate against any qualified applicant with a disability as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act and will make reasonable accommodations, when the do not impose an undue hardship on the organization.
Location: UCHealth UCHlth Poudre Valley Hospital, US:CO:Fort Collins
Department: PVH MC IP Psych Care Coordinat
Work Schedule: Part Time, 60.00 hours per pay period (2 weeks)
Shift: Days
Pay: $31.61 - $47.41 / hour. Pay is dependent on applicant's relevant experience
This position is an onsite role and does not offer a hybrid or remote option
Career Ladder: UCHealth offers a structured way for you to grow your skills, responsibilities, and pay in this position. As you gain experience and expertise, you will have the opportunity to move through different levels of this career ladder.
Summary:
Provides triage, assessment and treatment to patients and families, assists with disposition planning and provision of education and resources.
Responsibilities:
- Implements counseling/therapy for assigned patients in both individual and group settings dependent upon program specific regulatory requirements.
- Interviews and assesses patients and/or patient's family, caregivers, and/or legal representatives.
- Determines, provides and/or arranges for needed internal and external services/interventions.
- Participates and/or arranges case reviews/care conferences to evaluate progress.
- Assists with discharge planning and processes, including identification of community-based resources, and provides referrals as part of the discharge plan.
- Utilizes appropriate teaching methods and/or referrals to ensure patient/family educational needs are met.
- Within scope of job, requires critical thinking skills, decisive judgement and the ability to work with minimal supervision. Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and take appropriate action.
Requirements:
- Master's Degree.
- State licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPC-C), Marriage and Family Therapist Candidate (MFT-C), Social Work Candidate (SWC), or Licensed Social Worker (LSW). Relevant life support certification and other certifications as determined at position level.
- BLS and Advanced CPI within 6 months of hire.
- BLS through the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer with card in-hand before start date. BLS or CPR card must be good through sixty days of hire.
Employees are our number one asset.
UCHealth promotes a culture that invests in professional success and personal well-being through a comprehensive total rewards program.
Recognition
- Performance bonus: UCHealth offers a 3-Year Incentive Bonus to recognize employee contributions to our success in quality, patient experience, organizational growth, financial goals and tenure. The bonus accumulates annually each October and is paid out in October during the third year of employment.
- Performance-based pay increase: The Annual Merit Pay Increase recognizes work performance that meets or consistently exceeds performance standards documented through UCHealth's established evaluation process and accounts for increased experience, skills and cost of living.
- Market reviews: All UCHealth positions are reviewed annually to ensure UCHealth base pay aligns with market standards. Base pay rates are adjusted as needed to stay market competitive.
Health and well-being
- Medical, dental and vision coverage.
- Access to 24/7 mental health and well-being support for employees and dependents.
- Discounted gym memberships and fitness resources.
- Free Care.com membership.
- Voluntary benefits such as accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal plan, identity theft protection, pet insurance, auto and home insurance, and employee discount programs.
- Time away from work: Paid time off (PTO), paid family and medical leave (inclusive of Colorado FAMLI), leaves of absence.
- Employer-provided basic life and accidental death and dismemberment coverage with buy-up coverage options.
- Employer-provided short-term disability and long-term disability with a buy-up coverage option.
Retirement and savings
- 403(b) plan with employer matching contribution.
- Additional 457(b) plan may be available.
- Flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent day care; health savings account available when enrolled in high-deductible (HD) medical plan.
Education and career growth
- UCHealth provides access to academic degrees and certificate programs to promote professional and personal growth.
- Up to 100% of tuition, books and fees paid for by UCHealth for specific educational degrees.
- Other programs may qualify for up to $10,000/year pre-paid by UCHealth or up to $5,250/year in the form of tuition reimbursement.
- Access to LinkedIn Learning, which offers thousands of virtual courses and seminars, and internal professional development opportunities.
- Employees have access to free assistance navigating the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and submitting their federal student loans for forgiveness.
Eligibility for some programs is based on an employee's scheduled work hours.
We improve lives. In big ways through learning, healing, and discovery. In small, personal ways through human connection. But in all ways, we improve lives.
UCHealth always welcomes talent. This position will be open for a minimum of three days and until a top applicant is identified.
UCHealth recognizes and appreciates the rich array of talents and perspectives that equal employment and diversity can offer our institution. As an equal opportunity employer, UCHealth is committed to making all employment decisions based on valid requirements. No applicant shall be discriminated against in any terms, conditions or privileges of employment or otherwise be discriminated against because of the individual's race, color, national origin, language, culture, ethnicity, age, religion, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender, veteran status, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state, or local law. UCHealth does not discriminate against any qualified applicant with a disability as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act and will make reasonable accommodations, when the do not impose an undue hardship on the organization.
See all 697+ H-1B Visa Behavioral Health Counselor Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Behavioral Health Counselor Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Behavioral Health Counselor
Verify your licensure transfers across states
State licensure requirements for behavioral health counselors vary significantly. Confirm that your credentials meet the licensing board requirements of the state where the employer operates before applying, since your H-1B petition is tied to a specific work location.
Check employer LCA filing history first
Before reaching out to a potential employer, search their Labor Condition Application history through Migrate Mate to confirm they've sponsored H-1B petitions for counseling or mental health roles, not just unrelated positions.
Target cap-exempt employers in behavioral health
Nonprofit mental health centers, federally qualified health centers, and university-affiliated clinics are often cap-exempt H-1B employers. Filing through these organizations bypasses the annual lottery entirely and lets you start sooner.
Confirm your role meets specialty occupation standards
Use O*NET to document that Behavioral Health Counselor roles require a specific bachelor's degree or higher. USCIS scrutinizes this requirement closely for counseling positions, so having the occupation profile ready strengthens your petition.
Request the employer file before your OPT expires
If you're transitioning from F-1 OPT, give your employer at least 90 days before your OPT end date to file the H-1B petition. USCIS processing under standard service can run three to five months, and cap-gap protection only applies if the petition is filed on time.
Negotiate the prevailing wage tier into your offer
The DOL assigns your role a prevailing wage level based on duties and supervision. Use OFLC Wage Search to identify the wage level your employer selected on the LCA, and ensure your offered salary meets or exceeds that level before signing.
H-1B Visa Behavioral Health Counselor: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Behavioral Health Counselor role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, if the position requires at least a bachelor's degree in counseling, psychology, social work, or a closely related field. USCIS evaluates this on a case-by-case basis, so the job description must specify the degree requirement. Roles that accept any bachelor's degree regardless of field are more likely to receive a Request for Evidence.
Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for behavioral health counselors?
Hospitals, community mental health centers, federally qualified health centers, nonprofit behavioral health agencies, and university counseling programs are common sponsors. Many of these organizations are cap-exempt, meaning they can file H-1B petitions at any time of year without entering the annual lottery. You can filter for verified sponsors on Migrate Mate.
Does my state license affect my H-1B petition as a counselor?
Yes, directly. Your H-1B is tied to the state where you'll work, and USCIS expects you to hold or be eligible for the applicable state license. If your home-country credentials require a licensure evaluation before you can obtain a state license, start that process early since it can take several months and may affect your petition timeline.
Can I switch behavioral health counselor employers on an H-1B?
Yes, under H-1B portability rules established by AC21, you can transfer to a new employer once your original petition has been pending for 180 days or more. Your new employer must file an H-1B transfer petition before you start, and the new role must remain in a specialty occupation. The 60-day grace period gives you time to secure a new petition if you're laid off.
What documentation should I prepare for an H-1B petition in this field?
Your employer will need your academic transcripts, any credential evaluation if your degree is from outside the U.S., state licensure documentation or eligibility confirmation, and a detailed job description that ties the role to your specific degree field. A foreign credential evaluation from a NACES-member organization is typically required if your counseling degree was earned abroad.