H-1B Visa Mental Health Counselor Jobs
Mental Health Counselor roles qualify for H-1B sponsorship as specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree in counseling, psychology, or a related field. Many hospital systems, community mental health centers, and telehealth employers file H-1B petitions for licensed or license-eligible counselors, particularly in underserved areas facing workforce shortages.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
NaphCare is hiring an experienced Mental Health Counselor to join our team of medical professionals in the Mobile Metro County Jail in Mobile, Alabama. We have several openings for this position.
As a Mental Health Counselor, you will work alongside correctional officers and other medical professionals to provide counseling and mental health care to the individuals in residence. This is a unique position where you can make a difference to this diverse population of patients with complex mental health and medical needs.
Responsibilities
The Mental Health Counselor is responsible for assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients in residence with mental illnesses, substance use disorders, and behavioral issues ensuring they receive quality care that protects their rights, dignity and health. Duties and responsibilities may include and are not limited to:
- Conducting mental health evaluations, including gathering psychosocial histories, administering psychological tests, and identifying mental health needs and risks
- Developing and implementing individualized treatment plans based on assessments, incorporating various therapeutic approaches and interventions
- Providing individual counseling and facilitating group therapy sessions to address a range of mental health concerns, such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance abuse
- Managing a caseload of inmates, coordinating care with other professionals, and ensuring continuity of care
- Responding to and managing mental health crises, providing immediate support and stabilization
- Collaborating with inmates, correctional staff, and community-based resources to develop comprehensive reentry plans that support successful community reintegration
- Working closely with other professionals, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and correctional staff, to ensure effective and coordinated care
- Maintaining accurate and timely clinical records, progress notes, and other required documentation
- Monitoring compliance with site-specific and company policies and procedures, taking appropriate corrective action, and ensuring compliance with ACA, NCCHC standards
QUALIFICATIONS
Education / Licenses / Certifications
- Master's prepared degree in counseling, social work, psychology or related field
- Have an active, unrestricted licensure as a (LCSW, LCMHC, LMFT, LMHP, LISW, LPCC, etc.) in state
- Possess an active CPR certification
Experience / Requirements / Qualifications / Skills
- A minimum of 3 years’ clinical experience in a mental health care or acute care setting, with correctional healthcare experience preferred
- Must have knowledge and experience in the identification and treatment of mental health and co-occurring substance abuse disorders, discharge planning, principles of social work, basic principles of individual and group behavior, and a working knowledge of psychotropic medications
- Correctional counselors must be able to remain calm under pressure while assessing patients’ situations, underlying causes of their behavior and be able to develop interventions and treatment plans
- Effective communication skills are required for building patient rapport and relaying information and treatment plans with other medical and mental health care professionals
- Strong organizational skills are needed to keep track of patient treatment plans and progress notes
- Must have the ability to maintain confidentiality of all proprietary and/or confidential information and integrity, professionalism and ability to adhere to a Code of Conduct and comply with all facility(s) correctional healthcare policies, procedures, and legal requirements
- Must pass the facility’s criminal background check and drug screening
PHYSICAL CAPABILITIES
Must have the ability to stand for long periods, lift and move patients (up to 50 pounds), bend, squat, reach, push, pull, walk significant distances, and perform physically demanding tasks like CPR, all while maintaining good balance and endurance throughout a shift.
WHY JOIN NAPHCARE?
NaphCare is one of the largest providers of healthcare services to correctional facilities throughout the US, and we are growing. If you have never considered a career in correctional healthcare, now may be the time. In addition to competitive salaries and generous employee benefits, we strongly support career advancement within the company.
NaphCare Benefits for Full-Time Employees Include:
- Health, dental & vision insurance that starts day one!
- Prescriptions free of charge through our health plan, beginning day one
- Lowest Cost Benefits!
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services
- 401K and Roth with company contribution that starts day one!
- Tuition Assistance
- Referral bonuses
- Term life insurance at no cost to the employee
- Generous paid time off & paid holidays
- Free continuing education and CMEs
Want a better idea of what it’s like to work in a jail? See what our Licensed Counselors do: NaphCare - Life as a Mental Health Professional - YouTube
If you would like to speak with me to learn more about this position and NaphCare, please first apply directly to the position to initiate the application process.
Follow Us: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Advancing Correctional Healthcare | NaphCare
INTRODUCTION
NaphCare is hiring an experienced Mental Health Counselor to join our team of medical professionals in the Mobile Metro County Jail in Mobile, Alabama. We have several openings for this position.
As a Mental Health Counselor, you will work alongside correctional officers and other medical professionals to provide counseling and mental health care to the individuals in residence. This is a unique position where you can make a difference to this diverse population of patients with complex mental health and medical needs.
Responsibilities
The Mental Health Counselor is responsible for assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients in residence with mental illnesses, substance use disorders, and behavioral issues ensuring they receive quality care that protects their rights, dignity and health. Duties and responsibilities may include and are not limited to:
- Conducting mental health evaluations, including gathering psychosocial histories, administering psychological tests, and identifying mental health needs and risks
- Developing and implementing individualized treatment plans based on assessments, incorporating various therapeutic approaches and interventions
- Providing individual counseling and facilitating group therapy sessions to address a range of mental health concerns, such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance abuse
- Managing a caseload of inmates, coordinating care with other professionals, and ensuring continuity of care
- Responding to and managing mental health crises, providing immediate support and stabilization
- Collaborating with inmates, correctional staff, and community-based resources to develop comprehensive reentry plans that support successful community reintegration
- Working closely with other professionals, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and correctional staff, to ensure effective and coordinated care
- Maintaining accurate and timely clinical records, progress notes, and other required documentation
- Monitoring compliance with site-specific and company policies and procedures, taking appropriate corrective action, and ensuring compliance with ACA, NCCHC standards
QUALIFICATIONS
Education / Licenses / Certifications
- Master's prepared degree in counseling, social work, psychology or related field
- Have an active, unrestricted licensure as a (LCSW, LCMHC, LMFT, LMHP, LISW, LPCC, etc.) in state
- Possess an active CPR certification
Experience / Requirements / Qualifications / Skills
- A minimum of 3 years’ clinical experience in a mental health care or acute care setting, with correctional healthcare experience preferred
- Must have knowledge and experience in the identification and treatment of mental health and co-occurring substance abuse disorders, discharge planning, principles of social work, basic principles of individual and group behavior, and a working knowledge of psychotropic medications
- Correctional counselors must be able to remain calm under pressure while assessing patients’ situations, underlying causes of their behavior and be able to develop interventions and treatment plans
- Effective communication skills are required for building patient rapport and relaying information and treatment plans with other medical and mental health care professionals
- Strong organizational skills are needed to keep track of patient treatment plans and progress notes
- Must have the ability to maintain confidentiality of all proprietary and/or confidential information and integrity, professionalism and ability to adhere to a Code of Conduct and comply with all facility(s) correctional healthcare policies, procedures, and legal requirements
- Must pass the facility’s criminal background check and drug screening
PHYSICAL CAPABILITIES
Must have the ability to stand for long periods, lift and move patients (up to 50 pounds), bend, squat, reach, push, pull, walk significant distances, and perform physically demanding tasks like CPR, all while maintaining good balance and endurance throughout a shift.
WHY JOIN NAPHCARE?
NaphCare is one of the largest providers of healthcare services to correctional facilities throughout the US, and we are growing. If you have never considered a career in correctional healthcare, now may be the time. In addition to competitive salaries and generous employee benefits, we strongly support career advancement within the company.
NaphCare Benefits for Full-Time Employees Include:
- Health, dental & vision insurance that starts day one!
- Prescriptions free of charge through our health plan, beginning day one
- Lowest Cost Benefits!
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services
- 401K and Roth with company contribution that starts day one!
- Tuition Assistance
- Referral bonuses
- Term life insurance at no cost to the employee
- Generous paid time off & paid holidays
- Free continuing education and CMEs
Want a better idea of what it’s like to work in a jail? See what our Licensed Counselors do: NaphCare - Life as a Mental Health Professional - YouTube
If you would like to speak with me to learn more about this position and NaphCare, please first apply directly to the position to initiate the application process.
Follow Us: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Advancing Correctional Healthcare | NaphCare
See all 533+ Mental Health Counselor jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Mental Health Counselor roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Mental Health Counselor
Verify your licensure transfers across state lines
Licensure requirements for mental health counselors vary by state. Confirm your credentials meet the requirements of the state where you'll work before accepting an offer, since your employer's LCA is tied to a specific work location.
Target employers with cap-exempt H-1B status
Nonprofit mental health centers affiliated with universities or research institutions are often cap-exempt, meaning they can file your H-1B petition outside the annual lottery. Search for community mental health organizations with university partnerships to avoid the April registration window.
Search H-1B filing history on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to identify mental health employers who have filed H-1B petitions for counselors before. Past LCA filings for your occupation code signal genuine sponsorship experience, not just a willingness to try it once.
Document your degree field matches your role
USCIS scrutinizes specialty occupation status for counseling roles. Gather transcripts showing your degree is in counseling, psychology, social work, or a directly related discipline, and confirm your employer's job description requires that specific field.
Confirm the employer files under the right SOC code
Mental Health Counselors have a distinct DOL Standard Occupational Classification code. Ask your employer or their attorney to confirm the LCA uses the correct code, since a mismatch with the prevailing wage level can trigger an RFE or audit.
Use OFLC Wage Search to benchmark your offer
Before signing an offer, look up the prevailing wage for mental health counselors at your wage level in the employer's metropolitan area using the OFLC Wage Search. Your offered salary must meet or exceed that figure for the LCA to be certified.
Mental Health Counselor jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Mental Health Counselor JobsMental Health Counselor H-1B Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Mental Health Counselor roles qualify as H-1B specialty occupations?
Yes. Mental Health Counselor positions qualify as H-1B specialty occupations because they normally require at least a bachelor's degree in counseling, psychology, or a directly related field. USCIS evaluates whether the specific job duties require that theoretical and practical application of specialized knowledge. Roles that accept any bachelor's degree regardless of field can face challenges, so the job description should specify the required discipline clearly.
Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for Mental Health Counselors?
Hospital systems, federally qualified health centers, university counseling departments, and large telehealth platforms are among the most consistent H-1B sponsors for this role. Nonprofit community mental health centers affiliated with universities may qualify as cap-exempt employers, which removes the lottery requirement entirely. Use Migrate Mate to find employers with verified H-1B LCA filing history for mental health counselor positions specifically.
Does my state counseling license affect my H-1B petition?
Your state license is separate from H-1B eligibility, but it matters in practice. Many employers won't complete the sponsorship process until you're licensed or conditionally licensed in their state. If you're still completing supervised hours, discuss with the employer whether they'll file for you as a licensed-eligible candidate and what timeline they expect for full licensure.
What does prevailing wage mean for Mental Health Counselors on H-1B?
Before filing your H-1B petition, your employer must obtain a certified Labor Condition Application from the DOL stating your offered wage meets the prevailing wage for mental health counselors in the specific location. Prevailing wage is set by DOL using the OFLC Wage Search database and varies by metropolitan area and experience level. Wages below the prevailing rate will cause the LCA to be rejected.
Can I switch Mental Health Counselor jobs while on H-1B?
Yes, under H-1B portability you can start working for a new employer once they file a new H-1B petition on your behalf, without waiting for approval, as long as your previous H-1B was approved and you haven't been out of status. The new employer must file before your current status expires and the role must still qualify as a specialty occupation at the new organization.
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