H-1B Visa Mental Health Counselor Jobs
Mental Health Counselor roles qualify for H-1B visa 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.
Find H-1B Visa Mental Health Counselor JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 10,071+ Mental Health Counselor jobs
See all 10,071+ 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 JobsPosting Details
- APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED WITHOUT WORK EXPERIENCE OR A RESUME WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. IF ATTACHING A RESUME, RESUME MUST INCLUDE DATES OF EMPLOYMENT FOR EACH JOB (MONTH and YEAR) AND DETAILS OF WORK EXPERIENCE/JOB DUTIES*
Interviews are anticipated to be conducted within two weeks of closing date.
Due to the available budget allocated for this position, the hiring rate will not exceed $31.50 per hour.
Why does the job exist?
This position provides behavioral health education for individuals by providing group and individual education. The position provides a wide range of education including but not limited to substance abuse, relationship difficulties, trauma, mental illness, and crisis intervention. The incumbent will provide Mental Health education for diagnosed mental health disorders; aid individuals/groups by providing best practices and evidence-based interventions; and provide for individuals dealing with addictions, substance dependency, relationship difficulties, and issues associated with mental, emotional, and behavioral health. This position will also make recommendations for program development, consult on case analysis, and discharge plans.
How does it get done?
- Completes advanced psychotherapy analysis and assessments of inmates to be placed in accurate programs for rehabilitation.
- Provides individual and group psychotherapy education for mental health and substance abuse services to the general inmate population.
- Provides counseling, and programming to dual diagnosed inmate population.
- Consults on incident reports, non-compliance reports, and other weekly reports.
- Tracks patient progress and treatment compliance in case management to evaluate success of therapy.
- Maintains and updates case and record files.
- Conducts research into programs that can be utilized in a correctional facility to make recommendations to management on potential opportunities for inmates to succeed.
Who are the customers?
The New Mexico Corrections Department
Ideal Candidate
The New Mexico Corrections Department
Minimum Qualification
Associate's Degree in Human Services or Social Services Counseling and two (2) years of experience in mental health, substance abuse counseling and or behavioral disorder counseling environment. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling four (4) years may substitute for the required education and experience.
Employment Requirements
This position is designated as safety sensitive. Employment is subject to pre-employment and random testing, in accordance with all terms and conditions of federal and state law, rules and regulations in relation to alcohol and/or drug testing. Pre-employment background investigation is required and is conditional pending results. Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in an adult prison environment, which includes daily contact with inmates. Willingness to work in a correctional facility, may be required to work odd hours, overtime, holidays, and weekends.
Supplemental Information
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Liz Tapia, HR at 575-472-1001 or email elizabeth.tapia@cd.nm.gov or Contact Information: Desiree Bradley, HR at 575-472-1001 or email desiree.bradley@cd.nm.gov
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.
Posting Details
- APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED WITHOUT WORK EXPERIENCE OR A RESUME WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. IF ATTACHING A RESUME, RESUME MUST INCLUDE DATES OF EMPLOYMENT FOR EACH JOB (MONTH and YEAR) AND DETAILS OF WORK EXPERIENCE/JOB DUTIES*
Interviews are anticipated to be conducted within two weeks of closing date.
Due to the available budget allocated for this position, the hiring rate will not exceed $31.50 per hour.
Why does the job exist?
This position provides behavioral health education for individuals by providing group and individual education. The position provides a wide range of education including but not limited to substance abuse, relationship difficulties, trauma, mental illness, and crisis intervention. The incumbent will provide Mental Health education for diagnosed mental health disorders; aid individuals/groups by providing best practices and evidence-based interventions; and provide for individuals dealing with addictions, substance dependency, relationship difficulties, and issues associated with mental, emotional, and behavioral health. This position will also make recommendations for program development, consult on case analysis, and discharge plans.
How does it get done?
- Completes advanced psychotherapy analysis and assessments of inmates to be placed in accurate programs for rehabilitation.
- Provides individual and group psychotherapy education for mental health and substance abuse services to the general inmate population.
- Provides counseling, and programming to dual diagnosed inmate population.
- Consults on incident reports, non-compliance reports, and other weekly reports.
- Tracks patient progress and treatment compliance in case management to evaluate success of therapy.
- Maintains and updates case and record files.
- Conducts research into programs that can be utilized in a correctional facility to make recommendations to management on potential opportunities for inmates to succeed.
Who are the customers?
The New Mexico Corrections Department
Ideal Candidate
The New Mexico Corrections Department
Minimum Qualification
Associate's Degree in Human Services or Social Services Counseling and two (2) years of experience in mental health, substance abuse counseling and or behavioral disorder counseling environment. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling four (4) years may substitute for the required education and experience.
Employment Requirements
This position is designated as safety sensitive. Employment is subject to pre-employment and random testing, in accordance with all terms and conditions of federal and state law, rules and regulations in relation to alcohol and/or drug testing. Pre-employment background investigation is required and is conditional pending results. Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in an adult prison environment, which includes daily contact with inmates. Willingness to work in a correctional facility, may be required to work odd hours, overtime, holidays, and weekends.
Supplemental Information
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Liz Tapia, HR at 575-472-1001 or email elizabeth.tapia@cd.nm.gov or Contact Information: Desiree Bradley, HR at 575-472-1001 or email desiree.bradley@cd.nm.gov
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.
See all 10,071+ H-1B Visa Mental Health Counselor Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Mental Health Counselor Jobs.
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.
H-1B Visa Mental Health Counselor: 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.