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 13,045+ Mental Health Counselor jobs
See all 13,045+ 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 JobsJob Description:
Who We Are
Seattle Pacific University is a Christian university fully committed to engaging the culture and changing the world by graduating people of competence and character, becoming people of wisdom, and modeling grace-filled community.
The Student Counseling Center (SCC) supports students' emotional, relational, and psychological well-being through compassionate counseling services, crisis response, consultation, prevention programming, and collaborative care. We are committed to helping students thrive academically, personally, and spiritually while fostering a caring campus community.
What We Need
Seattle Pacific University is seeking a part-time compassionate and clinically skilled Mental Health Counselor to join the Student Counseling Center.
This position provides individual, couples, family, and group counseling services for undergraduate students while supporting crisis response, prevention programming, and campus-wide mental health initiatives. Working collaboratively with Student Life and campus partners, the counselor helps promote student well-being through direct clinical services, outreach, consultation, and educational programming.
The ideal candidate enjoys working with college students, demonstrates sound clinical judgment, values collaborative care, and is committed to supporting students from a wide range of backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives.
The Mental Health Counselor supports Seattle Pacific University’s mission by contributing to a Christ-centered learning and working community committed to academic excellence, service, and engagement with the world. In this role, the employee brings their skills, gifts, and professional expertise to work that matters—serving students, colleagues, and the broader University community in ways that reflect SPU’s values and purpose. To that end, all University employees are required to be aligned with and supportive of SPU's Statement of Faith and its derivative policies and lifestyle expectations.
Clinical Counseling Services
- Provide individual, couples, family, and group counseling for undergraduate students
- Conduct intake assessments and develop appropriate treatment recommendations
- Provide referrals to community resources and specialized care when appropriate
- Maintain timely, accurate, and confidential clinical documentation
Crisis Assessment & Student Support
- Provide crisis intervention and risk assessment for students experiencing urgent mental health concerns
- Consult with faculty, staff, and Student Life colleagues regarding student concerns when appropriate
- Collaborate with campus partners to promote student safety and well-being
Outreach & Prevention
- Develop and facilitate mental health education, wellness, and relationship-focused programs for students
- Participate in campus outreach initiatives that increase awareness of counseling services and mental health resources
- Support Student Counseling Center events and prevention programming throughout the academic year
Professional Collaboration
- Participate in individual supervision, staff meetings, case consultation, and professional development
- Maintain compliance with professional ethical standards, Washington State licensing requirements, FERPA, and university policies
- Contribute to a collaborative, supportive counseling team focused on student success
What You Bring
- Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, Mental Health Counseling, Social Work, or a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
- At least one year of counseling experience in a college counseling center or comparable setting
- Washington State licensure (or associate licensure) as an LMFT, LMHC, LICSW, or Licensed Clinical Psychologist
- Strong clinical assessment, counseling, and crisis intervention skills
- Experience supporting college-aged students or young adults
- Ability to work effectively with students from a wide variety of cultural, socioeconomic, faith, and life backgrounds
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
- Commitment to maintaining professional ethics, confidentiality, and collaborative care
- Mission Alignment: A personal commitment to Christian faith; enthusiasm for supporting SPU's mission; alignment with the University's Statement of Faith; and willingness to uphold the lifestyle standards of our Christian community.
Compensation & Position Details
- Hourly Rate: $26.00 - $27.50 per hour, DOE
- Status: Part-time, non-exempt
- FTE: 20 hours per week
- Appointment: Nine-month academic-year position (mid-September through mid-June)
- Department: Student Counseling Center
-
Location: Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, WA (on-campus position)
-
Benefits: SPU pays a portion of the employee premiums for medical, dental, and vision insurance; provides HSA/HRA contributions; contributes 7% to a retirement account with immediate vesting (as eligible); and offers paid vacation and sick time.
Additional Information:
How to Apply
Please complete the online application through Workday and be prepared to submit the following materials:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
We look forward to hearing how your unique talents and giftings can contribute to the health and well-being of SPU students while supporting the University's Christ-centered mission.
Job Description:
Who We Are
Seattle Pacific University is a Christian university fully committed to engaging the culture and changing the world by graduating people of competence and character, becoming people of wisdom, and modeling grace-filled community.
The Student Counseling Center (SCC) supports students' emotional, relational, and psychological well-being through compassionate counseling services, crisis response, consultation, prevention programming, and collaborative care. We are committed to helping students thrive academically, personally, and spiritually while fostering a caring campus community.
What We Need
Seattle Pacific University is seeking a part-time compassionate and clinically skilled Mental Health Counselor to join the Student Counseling Center.
This position provides individual, couples, family, and group counseling services for undergraduate students while supporting crisis response, prevention programming, and campus-wide mental health initiatives. Working collaboratively with Student Life and campus partners, the counselor helps promote student well-being through direct clinical services, outreach, consultation, and educational programming.
The ideal candidate enjoys working with college students, demonstrates sound clinical judgment, values collaborative care, and is committed to supporting students from a wide range of backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives.
The Mental Health Counselor supports Seattle Pacific University’s mission by contributing to a Christ-centered learning and working community committed to academic excellence, service, and engagement with the world. In this role, the employee brings their skills, gifts, and professional expertise to work that matters—serving students, colleagues, and the broader University community in ways that reflect SPU’s values and purpose. To that end, all University employees are required to be aligned with and supportive of SPU's Statement of Faith and its derivative policies and lifestyle expectations.
Clinical Counseling Services
- Provide individual, couples, family, and group counseling for undergraduate students
- Conduct intake assessments and develop appropriate treatment recommendations
- Provide referrals to community resources and specialized care when appropriate
- Maintain timely, accurate, and confidential clinical documentation
Crisis Assessment & Student Support
- Provide crisis intervention and risk assessment for students experiencing urgent mental health concerns
- Consult with faculty, staff, and Student Life colleagues regarding student concerns when appropriate
- Collaborate with campus partners to promote student safety and well-being
Outreach & Prevention
- Develop and facilitate mental health education, wellness, and relationship-focused programs for students
- Participate in campus outreach initiatives that increase awareness of counseling services and mental health resources
- Support Student Counseling Center events and prevention programming throughout the academic year
Professional Collaboration
- Participate in individual supervision, staff meetings, case consultation, and professional development
- Maintain compliance with professional ethical standards, Washington State licensing requirements, FERPA, and university policies
- Contribute to a collaborative, supportive counseling team focused on student success
What You Bring
- Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, Mental Health Counseling, Social Work, or a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
- At least one year of counseling experience in a college counseling center or comparable setting
- Washington State licensure (or associate licensure) as an LMFT, LMHC, LICSW, or Licensed Clinical Psychologist
- Strong clinical assessment, counseling, and crisis intervention skills
- Experience supporting college-aged students or young adults
- Ability to work effectively with students from a wide variety of cultural, socioeconomic, faith, and life backgrounds
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
- Commitment to maintaining professional ethics, confidentiality, and collaborative care
- Mission Alignment: A personal commitment to Christian faith; enthusiasm for supporting SPU's mission; alignment with the University's Statement of Faith; and willingness to uphold the lifestyle standards of our Christian community.
Compensation & Position Details
- Hourly Rate: $26.00 - $27.50 per hour, DOE
- Status: Part-time, non-exempt
- FTE: 20 hours per week
- Appointment: Nine-month academic-year position (mid-September through mid-June)
- Department: Student Counseling Center
-
Location: Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, WA (on-campus position)
-
Benefits: SPU pays a portion of the employee premiums for medical, dental, and vision insurance; provides HSA/HRA contributions; contributes 7% to a retirement account with immediate vesting (as eligible); and offers paid vacation and sick time.
Additional Information:
How to Apply
Please complete the online application through Workday and be prepared to submit the following materials:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
We look forward to hearing how your unique talents and giftings can contribute to the health and well-being of SPU students while supporting the University's Christ-centered mission.
See all 13,045+ 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.