H-1B Visa Mental Health Counseling Jobs
Mental health counseling roles qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations when the position requires a master's degree in counseling, psychology, or a related field. Many hospital systems, community mental health centers, and telehealth employers sponsor H-1B petitions for licensed or license-eligible counselors.
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Get Access To All JobsLocation: Macomb, IL
Category: Faculty Positions
Job Type: FT - Continuous
Posted On: Fri Nov 6 2026
Job Description:
APPOINTMENT: AUGUST 19, 2027
Responsibilities:
The Counselor Education Program invites applications for a 9-month tenure-track assistant professor position, with a specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. The successful candidate will assume a range of responsibilities including: teaching graduate courses in the Counselor Education programs, providing clinical supervision and academic advising; participating in broad-based university, college, and departmental committee work and professional service; and conducting research and scholarly activity. Opportunities to teach a wide array of didactic and clinical courses exist. Summer school opportunities may also be available.
SALARY & RANK:
$66,978 - $75,006 per year. 9-month, full-time, tenure-track appointment.
Western Illinois University employees may be eligible for a variety of State of Illinois benefits. These benefits are administered through the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS). These benefits include: Health Insurance plans, (HMO's, OAP's, QCHP, and CDHP), Dental Insurance, Vision Plan, Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), Supplemental Long-Term Disability (LTD), Flex Spending Accounts (HAS, MCAP, and DCAP), 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plans and 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plans.
Eligible employees are required to participate in the State Universities Retirement System (SURS). SURS is the retirement administrator for employees in public higher education in the State of Illinois.
Other benefits available to eligible employees include: paid time-off, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Waiver programs, and discounts to the local YMCA.
For a full list of benefits as a WIU employee, please visit our Benefits Homepage: https://www.wiu.edu/human_resources/benefits/.
For questions on benefits, or eligibility, contact our benefits team at HR-Benefits@wiu.edu or by calling 309-298-1971.
Job Requirements:
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- An earned doctorate in Counselor Education from a CACREP accredited program by date of appointment.
- An established professional identity as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor Educator through affiliation with relevant counseling associations.
- Evidence of successful teaching and communication skills in Counselor Education.
- Experience providing supervision to counselors-in-training.
- Demonstrated experience and commitment to evidence-based clinical mental health counseling practices.
- Post-master or doctoral degree experience as a professional counselor.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Contribute to the connectivity between faculty, staff, and students in the professional environment.
- Experience with CACREP standards and familiarity with the accreditation process.
- Experience in hybrid and online instruction and development.
- A demonstrated ability to actively collaborate and communicate with colleagues, local stakeholders, and within the profession.
- A demonstrated interest in working with diverse populations and advocacy issues.
- Identified research agenda and interest in working with research teams.
- Licensure or eligibility for licensure as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the State of Illinois. If not currently licensed, describe in detail the steps needed to be completed to obtain licensure, which is required for tenure.
For a degree to be considered, it must be conferred from a regionally accredited degree-granting institution of higher education (or equivalent from an international accrediting body). Unless otherwise stated, the degree must be conferred at the time of appointment.
Additional Information:
THE PROGRAM:
The Counselor Education Program, in the School of Applied Clinical, Educational, and Professional Programs offers a Master of Science in Education in Counseling with two options: Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling located on the WIU-Quad Cities campus. The Program offers a unique blend of courses designed to provide the skills and knowledge necessary to become a competent counseling professional. The counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Additionally, the School Counseling option is accredited by the Illinois State Board of Education.
THE UNIVERSITY:
About WIU
Since 1899, Western Illinois University has provided outstanding educational opportunities to individuals in west central Illinois and well beyond our region and state. WIU's traditional residential campus in Macomb, Illinois, is the educational, cultural and athletic center of the region, while the WIU-Quad Cities non-residential branch campus in Moline, Illinois, is the only public university in the immediate Quad Cities region.
WIU-Macomb, IL: Western's traditional, residential main campus offers a comprehensive slate of undergraduate and graduate programs, including a doctorate in education, and post-baccalaureate certificates. A diverse community in west central Illinois, Macomb features a unique blend of agriculture, industry, service, retail, education, and culture. Macomb serves as the county seat, with connections across the state with Amtrak providing twice-daily service from Macomb to Chicago (and point in between). Macomb is located approximately 75 miles from the Quad Cities International Airport (Moline, IL) and 70 miles from the Greater Peoria Regional Airport (Peoria, IL).
WIU-Quad Cities: Located on the banks of the Mississippi River in Moline, Illinois, the WIU-Quad Cities campus is the only public four-year regional university that serves the Quad Cities region. Designed as a metropolitan commuter campus, WIU-Quad Cities offers select undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. Moline is located just 80 miles north of the Macomb campus and is centered within a diverse, bi-state community of 383,000 that offers a broad range of cultural, social, and entertainment amenities and experiences, as well as varied businesses and industries.
Academics
More than 61 undergraduate degree programs, 41 graduate programs, two doctoral programs and 16 post-baccalaureate certificate programs prepare students for a successful career after graduation.
Student Resources
More than 200 student organizations at Western provide social, academic, recreation, athletics, service, academic, and many other opportunities for students to grow and learn, develop leadership skills, and much more.
Numerous concerts, lectures, films, dance performances, cultural events and more are presented and performed each year, along with numerous major theatrical and dance productions and studio shows, and a variety of service-oriented projects and activities.
WIU Intercollegiate Athletics
The University's athletics program, based on the Macomb campus, sponsors 17 NCAA Division I intercollegiate men's and women's varsity sports. All varsity sports compete at the Division I level through The Ohio Valley Conference.
Location: Macomb, IL
Category: Faculty Positions
Job Type: FT - Continuous
Posted On: Fri Nov 6 2026
Job Description:
APPOINTMENT: AUGUST 19, 2027
Responsibilities:
The Counselor Education Program invites applications for a 9-month tenure-track assistant professor position, with a specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. The successful candidate will assume a range of responsibilities including: teaching graduate courses in the Counselor Education programs, providing clinical supervision and academic advising; participating in broad-based university, college, and departmental committee work and professional service; and conducting research and scholarly activity. Opportunities to teach a wide array of didactic and clinical courses exist. Summer school opportunities may also be available.
SALARY & RANK:
$66,978 - $75,006 per year. 9-month, full-time, tenure-track appointment.
Western Illinois University employees may be eligible for a variety of State of Illinois benefits. These benefits are administered through the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS). These benefits include: Health Insurance plans, (HMO's, OAP's, QCHP, and CDHP), Dental Insurance, Vision Plan, Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), Supplemental Long-Term Disability (LTD), Flex Spending Accounts (HAS, MCAP, and DCAP), 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plans and 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plans.
Eligible employees are required to participate in the State Universities Retirement System (SURS). SURS is the retirement administrator for employees in public higher education in the State of Illinois.
Other benefits available to eligible employees include: paid time-off, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Waiver programs, and discounts to the local YMCA.
For a full list of benefits as a WIU employee, please visit our Benefits Homepage: https://www.wiu.edu/human_resources/benefits/.
For questions on benefits, or eligibility, contact our benefits team at HR-Benefits@wiu.edu or by calling 309-298-1971.
Job Requirements:
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- An earned doctorate in Counselor Education from a CACREP accredited program by date of appointment.
- An established professional identity as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor Educator through affiliation with relevant counseling associations.
- Evidence of successful teaching and communication skills in Counselor Education.
- Experience providing supervision to counselors-in-training.
- Demonstrated experience and commitment to evidence-based clinical mental health counseling practices.
- Post-master or doctoral degree experience as a professional counselor.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Contribute to the connectivity between faculty, staff, and students in the professional environment.
- Experience with CACREP standards and familiarity with the accreditation process.
- Experience in hybrid and online instruction and development.
- A demonstrated ability to actively collaborate and communicate with colleagues, local stakeholders, and within the profession.
- A demonstrated interest in working with diverse populations and advocacy issues.
- Identified research agenda and interest in working with research teams.
- Licensure or eligibility for licensure as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the State of Illinois. If not currently licensed, describe in detail the steps needed to be completed to obtain licensure, which is required for tenure.
For a degree to be considered, it must be conferred from a regionally accredited degree-granting institution of higher education (or equivalent from an international accrediting body). Unless otherwise stated, the degree must be conferred at the time of appointment.
Additional Information:
THE PROGRAM:
The Counselor Education Program, in the School of Applied Clinical, Educational, and Professional Programs offers a Master of Science in Education in Counseling with two options: Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling located on the WIU-Quad Cities campus. The Program offers a unique blend of courses designed to provide the skills and knowledge necessary to become a competent counseling professional. The counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Additionally, the School Counseling option is accredited by the Illinois State Board of Education.
THE UNIVERSITY:
About WIU
Since 1899, Western Illinois University has provided outstanding educational opportunities to individuals in west central Illinois and well beyond our region and state. WIU's traditional residential campus in Macomb, Illinois, is the educational, cultural and athletic center of the region, while the WIU-Quad Cities non-residential branch campus in Moline, Illinois, is the only public university in the immediate Quad Cities region.
WIU-Macomb, IL: Western's traditional, residential main campus offers a comprehensive slate of undergraduate and graduate programs, including a doctorate in education, and post-baccalaureate certificates. A diverse community in west central Illinois, Macomb features a unique blend of agriculture, industry, service, retail, education, and culture. Macomb serves as the county seat, with connections across the state with Amtrak providing twice-daily service from Macomb to Chicago (and point in between). Macomb is located approximately 75 miles from the Quad Cities International Airport (Moline, IL) and 70 miles from the Greater Peoria Regional Airport (Peoria, IL).
WIU-Quad Cities: Located on the banks of the Mississippi River in Moline, Illinois, the WIU-Quad Cities campus is the only public four-year regional university that serves the Quad Cities region. Designed as a metropolitan commuter campus, WIU-Quad Cities offers select undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. Moline is located just 80 miles north of the Macomb campus and is centered within a diverse, bi-state community of 383,000 that offers a broad range of cultural, social, and entertainment amenities and experiences, as well as varied businesses and industries.
Academics
More than 61 undergraduate degree programs, 41 graduate programs, two doctoral programs and 16 post-baccalaureate certificate programs prepare students for a successful career after graduation.
Student Resources
More than 200 student organizations at Western provide social, academic, recreation, athletics, service, academic, and many other opportunities for students to grow and learn, develop leadership skills, and much more.
Numerous concerts, lectures, films, dance performances, cultural events and more are presented and performed each year, along with numerous major theatrical and dance productions and studio shows, and a variety of service-oriented projects and activities.
WIU Intercollegiate Athletics
The University's athletics program, based on the Macomb campus, sponsors 17 NCAA Division I intercollegiate men's and women's varsity sports. All varsity sports compete at the Division I level through The Ohio Valley Conference.
See all H-1B Visa Mental Health Counseling Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Mental Health Counseling Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Mental Health Counseling
Verify your degree meets specialty occupation
H-1B eligibility requires a position that normally demands at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field. Most counseling roles require a master's degree, which strengthens your specialty occupation argument. Cross-check your credentials against the O*NET profile for your SOC code before applying.
Target employers with active LCA filings
Search the OFLC Wage Search to confirm a prospective employer has filed Labor Condition Applications for counseling roles. Employers who've sponsored before understand the process and are far less likely to withdraw an offer once they see USCIS timelines. Filter by SOC code 21-1014 for mental health counselors.
Find sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter mental health counseling jobs by employers with verified H-1B filing history. This cuts out roles at organizations that have never filed an LCA, saving you weeks of outreach to employers who won't sponsor.
Address licensure portability before your start date
Most states require independent licensure to bill insurance, but H-1B status doesn't accelerate that process. Confirm whether your employer can hire you under supervised hours while you complete state licensure requirements, and structure your offer letter and I-129 accordingly.
File before the April 1st cap deadline
The H-1B cap lottery registration opens in March each year, with an October 1st start date for selected petitioners. Your employer must submit the I-129 petition promptly after selection. Missing the filing window after lottery selection means waiting a full year for the next cycle.
Clarify prevailing wage level with your employer early
DOL assigns wage levels I through IV based on experience and supervision requirements. Counseling roles with clinical oversight are often classified at Level I or II. Ask your employer which wage level they plan to certify so you can assess whether the offer aligns before the LCA is filed.
H-1B Visa Mental Health Counseling: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a mental health counseling role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, in most cases. USCIS requires that the position normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in a specific specialty. Mental health counseling roles typically require a master's degree in counseling, clinical psychology, or social work, which satisfies the specialty occupation standard. Roles requiring only a general bachelor's degree in any field would face a harder review.
Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for mental health counselors?
Hospital systems, Federally Qualified Health Centers, university counseling centers, nonprofit community mental health agencies, and telehealth platforms are the most consistent H-1B sponsors for counseling roles. Government-affiliated health systems are cap-exempt, meaning they can file outside the annual lottery. You can browse employers with verified filing history on Migrate Mate to narrow your search.
How does state licensure affect my H-1B petition as a counselor?
State licensure requirements vary and are separate from H-1B approval. USCIS approves your petition based on the position's degree requirements, not your license status. However, your employer must be willing to hire you under supervised hours or a provisional license if you aren't yet independently licensed, and your offer letter should reflect that arrangement clearly.
Can I switch mental health counseling employers on an H-1B?
Yes. H-1B portability under AC21 lets you transfer to a new sponsoring employer after your initial petition has been pending or approved for 180 days. Your new employer files an H-1B transfer petition, and you can begin working once it's filed. The new role must still qualify as a specialty occupation in counseling or a closely related field.
What prevailing wage level applies to mental health counseling H-1B roles?
DOL assigns wage levels I through IV based on experience, complexity, and supervision. Entry-level or supervised counseling positions typically fall at Level I or II. Roles requiring independent licensure, specialized caseloads, or supervisory responsibilities over other clinicians often qualify for Level III. Your employer's HR team or immigration attorney should confirm the level before the LCA is certified.