J-1 Visa Behavioral Health Therapist Jobs
Behavioral Health Therapist roles in the U.S. most commonly qualify for J-1 visa sponsorship under the Trainee or Research Scholar category, depending on your career stage and program structure. A U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization issues your DS-2019, not the hiring employer. No lottery exists for J-1 visas, but some categories carry a two-year home residency requirement.
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Postdoctoral Appointee in Adolescent Behavioral Health Research
Specific Title
Postdoctoral Fellow in Psychiatry
Appointment Type
Postdoctoral Fellow
Department
IUSM - Psychiatry
Campus
IU School of Medicine Indianapolis
Position Summary
Postdoctoral Fellowship in Adolescent Behavioral Health Research at Indiana University School of Medicine. The Adolescent Behavioral Health Research Program at the Indiana University School of Medicine is currently seeking applications from highly motivated, team-oriented candidates for a research postdoctoral fellowship. The full-time position will focus on honing expertise and research acumen in the areas of adolescent substance use, mental health, traumatic stress, and behavioral interventions for youth and families. Candidates with interests in developing and implementing applied research projects aimed at improving reach and effectiveness of behavioral health services for young people, as well as understanding more about neural and behavioral mechanisms underlying response to such treatments, are encouraged to apply. The fellow will actively participate in implementation, data analysis, and dissemination of findings (manuscripts, presentations) from multiple funded clinical trials and laboratory studies. Additional opportunities exist to contribute to studies on developmental neuroscience and projects aimed at increasing workforce capacity to deliver evidence-supported behavioral health services. The fellow will receive mentorship from faculty investigators toward the development of an independent program of research. Training will be provided in project design, grant writing, and research ethics. Fellows may have the opportunity to gain clinical hours toward licensure through the delivery of clinic- and telehealth-based assessment and treatment services. Salary and benefits are commensurate with NIH rates based on training and years of experience. The Adolescent Behavioral Health Research Program is a joint effort of the IUSOM Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry. Core faculty include Matthew Aalsma, Ph.D., Zachary Adams, Ph.D., Kathleen Crum, Ph.D., Ally Dir, Ph.D., Leslie Hulvershorn, MD., Casey Pederson, Ph.D., and Tamika Zapolski, Ph.D. The Department of Psychiatry has a broad research, clinical, and teaching mission and maintains a clinical psychology internship, a psychiatry residency program, and fellowships in addition to training rotations for medical and graduate students. Indiana University School of Medicine is the largest medical school in the United States, with a large academic health center in downtown Indianapolis, the 17th largest city in the United States. In addition to having active sports, cultural, arts, and educational events and programs, Indianapolis is located centrally near several other major cities including Chicago, Louisville, Cincinnati, and Columbus. IU School of Medicine is committed to being a welcoming campus community and we seek candidates whose research, teaching, and community engagement efforts contribute to robust learning and working environments for all students, staff, and faculty. We invite individuals who will join us in our mission to improve health equity and well-being for all throughout the state of Indiana. IU School of Medicine is closely aligned with our health system partner, IU Health, which has twice earned a place on the US News and World Report Honor Roll. The shared vision of both institutions is to lead the transformation of healthcare through quality innovation and education to make Indiana one of the nation’s healthiest states. IU Health is among the top ten largest single-state nonprofit health systems in the United States operating 16 hospitals statewide (a mix of urban, suburban and rural facilities). This partnership enables the seamless integration of research findings into patient care.
Basic Qualifications
- Ph.D. in clinical, developmental, counseling, or school psychology; social work; public health; neuroscience, or a closely related field; or M.D. child and adolescent psychiatrist. Doctorate or terminal degree required.
- Successful completion of accredited internship, if applicable
- Strong background in quantitative analysis
- Prior experience conducting behavioral health or health services research, as demonstrated by published manuscripts and presentations at scientific meetings
- Team player with strong work ethic and excellent organizational skills
- Commitment to becoming an independent scientist
- Exceptional analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills
Additional Qualifications
Special Instructions
Interested candidates should submit a CV, including contact information for 3 references, as well as a cover letter stating interests, experience, and goals.
Priority Application Review Deadline
Expected Start Date
Posting Number
IUSM-02332-2026
Department Contact for Questions
Tracy Colvill, tcolvill@iu.edu
Title
Postdoctoral Appointee in Adolescent Behavioral Health Research
Specific Title
Postdoctoral Fellow in Psychiatry
Appointment Type
Postdoctoral Fellow
Department
IUSM - Psychiatry
Campus
IU School of Medicine Indianapolis
Position Summary
Postdoctoral Fellowship in Adolescent Behavioral Health Research at Indiana University School of Medicine. The Adolescent Behavioral Health Research Program at the Indiana University School of Medicine is currently seeking applications from highly motivated, team-oriented candidates for a research postdoctoral fellowship. The full-time position will focus on honing expertise and research acumen in the areas of adolescent substance use, mental health, traumatic stress, and behavioral interventions for youth and families. Candidates with interests in developing and implementing applied research projects aimed at improving reach and effectiveness of behavioral health services for young people, as well as understanding more about neural and behavioral mechanisms underlying response to such treatments, are encouraged to apply. The fellow will actively participate in implementation, data analysis, and dissemination of findings (manuscripts, presentations) from multiple funded clinical trials and laboratory studies. Additional opportunities exist to contribute to studies on developmental neuroscience and projects aimed at increasing workforce capacity to deliver evidence-supported behavioral health services. The fellow will receive mentorship from faculty investigators toward the development of an independent program of research. Training will be provided in project design, grant writing, and research ethics. Fellows may have the opportunity to gain clinical hours toward licensure through the delivery of clinic- and telehealth-based assessment and treatment services. Salary and benefits are commensurate with NIH rates based on training and years of experience. The Adolescent Behavioral Health Research Program is a joint effort of the IUSOM Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry. Core faculty include Matthew Aalsma, Ph.D., Zachary Adams, Ph.D., Kathleen Crum, Ph.D., Ally Dir, Ph.D., Leslie Hulvershorn, MD., Casey Pederson, Ph.D., and Tamika Zapolski, Ph.D. The Department of Psychiatry has a broad research, clinical, and teaching mission and maintains a clinical psychology internship, a psychiatry residency program, and fellowships in addition to training rotations for medical and graduate students. Indiana University School of Medicine is the largest medical school in the United States, with a large academic health center in downtown Indianapolis, the 17th largest city in the United States. In addition to having active sports, cultural, arts, and educational events and programs, Indianapolis is located centrally near several other major cities including Chicago, Louisville, Cincinnati, and Columbus. IU School of Medicine is committed to being a welcoming campus community and we seek candidates whose research, teaching, and community engagement efforts contribute to robust learning and working environments for all students, staff, and faculty. We invite individuals who will join us in our mission to improve health equity and well-being for all throughout the state of Indiana. IU School of Medicine is closely aligned with our health system partner, IU Health, which has twice earned a place on the US News and World Report Honor Roll. The shared vision of both institutions is to lead the transformation of healthcare through quality innovation and education to make Indiana one of the nation’s healthiest states. IU Health is among the top ten largest single-state nonprofit health systems in the United States operating 16 hospitals statewide (a mix of urban, suburban and rural facilities). This partnership enables the seamless integration of research findings into patient care.
Basic Qualifications
- Ph.D. in clinical, developmental, counseling, or school psychology; social work; public health; neuroscience, or a closely related field; or M.D. child and adolescent psychiatrist. Doctorate or terminal degree required.
- Successful completion of accredited internship, if applicable
- Strong background in quantitative analysis
- Prior experience conducting behavioral health or health services research, as demonstrated by published manuscripts and presentations at scientific meetings
- Team player with strong work ethic and excellent organizational skills
- Commitment to becoming an independent scientist
- Exceptional analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills
Additional Qualifications
Special Instructions
Interested candidates should submit a CV, including contact information for 3 references, as well as a cover letter stating interests, experience, and goals.
Priority Application Review Deadline
Expected Start Date
Posting Number
IUSM-02332-2026
Department Contact for Questions
Tracy Colvill, tcolvill@iu.edu
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Behavioral Health Therapist
Verify your licensure transfers across borders
Most U.S. states require behavioral health therapists to hold or be working toward state licensure. Confirm whether your home-country credentials qualify for a reciprocal or provisional license before targeting host employers, since unlicensed applicants narrow their placement options significantly.
Distinguish Trainee from Research Scholar category
Trainee J-1 status suits early-career therapists gaining structured clinical experience post-degree. Research Scholar fits those conducting academic or program-evaluation research at a university or institute. Applying under the wrong category can delay or void your DS-2019 issuance.
Search for roles through Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter for Behavioral Health Therapist positions at U.S. employers that have a documented history of hosting J-1 exchange visitors, so you can focus your applications on organizations already familiar with the DS-2019 process.
Confirm your host has an MOU with a designated sponsor
Your host employer must partner with a State Department-designated sponsor organization to issue your DS-2019. Ask any prospective employer whether they have an active agreement with a sponsor such as CIEE or Cultural Vistas before accepting an offer.
Get your training plan reviewed before signing
J-1 Trainee programs require a detailed training plan specifying learning objectives, supervision structure, and evaluation intervals. Have your designated sponsor review the plan before you and the host employer finalize it, since vague objectives are the most common cause of program rejection.
Assess two-year home residency requirement early
Behavioral health therapists sponsored under certain J-1 categories may be subject to the two-year home residency requirement under INA 212(e), particularly if government funding is involved. Determine your 212(e) status before accepting an offer, as it affects future H-1B visa or green card eligibility.
Behavioral Health Therapist J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 category fits a Behavioral Health Therapist role?
It depends on your career stage. If you've completed a relevant degree and are seeking structured clinical training, the Trainee category is typically the right fit. If you hold an advanced degree and are conducting research or program evaluation at a university or research institute, the Research Scholar category applies. The hiring employer and your designated sponsor will confirm the correct category based on your training plan and host site.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa, the employer or someone else?
The visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, not your employer. The employer is your host site. The designated sponsor, which could be an organization like CIEE or Cultural Vistas, issues the DS-2019 form and is legally responsible for monitoring your program compliance. Your host employer must have an active agreement with a designated sponsor before you can receive a DS-2019.
How do I find U.S. employers open to hosting J-1 behavioral health therapists?
Migrate Mate lets you search for Behavioral Health Therapist roles at U.S. employers with J-1 hosting history, so you can prioritize organizations already familiar with the exchange visitor process. Host employers in behavioral health are often community mental health centers, hospital systems, university counseling centers, and nonprofit behavioral health agencies. Targeting employers with prior J-1 experience significantly reduces the time spent educating HR on the DS-2019 process.
Does the two-year home residency requirement apply to behavioral health therapists?
It may. The two-year home residency requirement under INA 212(e) applies when your J-1 program is funded by your home government or the U.S. government, or when your skill is on your home country's skills list. Many behavioral health specialties appear on country-specific skills lists. If the requirement applies, you must return home for two years before changing to most other visa categories, including H-1B, unless you obtain a waiver.
What documents should I prepare before approaching a potential host employer?
Have your degree transcripts, professional licensure documentation, a current resume formatted for U.S. clinical settings, and a written description of your training goals ready before outreach. Designated sponsors require evidence that your background directly relates to the proposed training. If your credentials are from outside the U.S., obtain a professional credential evaluation from a recognized evaluation service, since many host employers and sponsors require it before issuing a DS-2019.