J-1 Visa Mental Health Counselor Jobs
Mental health counselor roles in the U.S. are accessible to international professionals through J-1 visa sponsorship, most commonly under the Trainee or Specialist program category. Designated sponsor organizations issue your DS-2019 and oversee your training plan, while the clinical employer serves as your host site.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Whether you are a seasoned professional looking for part time work, or just starting your career in counseling or social work, we have an On-Call Counselor job for you! Encompass will train you to provide a host of services at our residential mental health treatment programs. We currently have openings for counselors in our mental health facilities located throughout Santa Cruz County.
About us
At Encompass Community Services we provide our community with a wide range of services related to family & social well-being, early childhood education, behavioral health, housing and more. Telos, El Dorado Center and Casa Pacific are three short-term residential treatment programs for individuals struggling with mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders. The primary goal of these programs is to assist individuals with increasing wellness and transitioning from residential care to more independent settings within the community. Our Counselors play an important role in assisting the residents we serve on their journey towards wellness and stability through treatment that is trauma-informed and person-centered.
Job Summary
The On-Call Counselor is available to work as needed to cover shifts that include ensuring the safety and well-being of the residents at the facility and supporting program operations. We are looking for individuals who have some experience or education working with individuals who struggle with mental illness and substance use disorders, and people with a passion to serve this unique population. We are looking for on call counselors with the skill and ability to work with clients who have multiple complex mental health, and physical health needs, and who are able to manage multiple tasks.
We are hiring on-call counselors who are available to work swing, night, and weekend shifts. Position requires availability to cover weekend shifts.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Respond to emails, texts, or phone calls in a timely manner. Be available and responsive to requests for on-call coverage as needed.
- Ensure adequate safety for program residents and property during specific shift hours.
- Responsible for responding to client behavioral and/or medical issues, facility issues, or natural emergencies while on duty.
- May provide therapeutic crisis management, with available support of Manager or On-Call Manager.
- May provide therapeutic intervention services based on best practices & selected evidence based practices for clients with mental health or substance use disorders and/or co-occurring disorders.
- Services may include administrative functions in support of clients, including evaluation, assessments, counseling, and/or assisting in the implementation of appropriate treatment plan interventions and/or the facilitation of individual, group, and crisis counseling sessions.
- Dispensing medication, incident reporting, shift change reporting, and household duties as required.
- General safety checks, headcounts.
- Ability to comply with regulatory requirements.
- Must communicate effectively and be able to use current technology in the following areas: case notes, incident reports, correspondence with community service providers.
Qualifications
- Bilingual English/Spanish desired but not necessary
- High school diploma or GED, some college preferred
- Ability to work independently, manage time well
- Valid driver’s license and clean DMV required
- Computer literacy, including e-mail, Microsoft Word, and ability to navigate electronic health record documentation requirements.
- Good oral and written communication skills, as well as interpersonal skills with co-workers and community partners
- Position requires flu vaccination upon hire.
Wages & Benefits
Our total compensation package includes a comprehensive medical and dental insurance plan for full time employees, 403(b) retirement plan, paid holiday, sick time, and 17 days of paid vacation, pro-rated for positions less than 40 hours a week. Position receives overtime rate on all holidays as well as double times for Christmas and Thanksgiving day. On-call positions will receive one hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked.
Encompass Community Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. We are committed to excellence through diversity and strive to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all clients and employees. Our programs recognize the value of racial, ethnic, cultural and linguistic diversity and strive toward a culture of trauma-informed practice, with the overarching goal of ensuring that all services promote healing, and integrate the values and standards of providing culturally and linguistically appropriate services.
If you require assistance applying on-line, we have computer terminals available at our 380 Encinal Street Suite 200 office in Santa Cruz, Tel: 831-469-1700, and at our 225 Westridge Drive location in Watsonville, Tel: 831-724-3885. Please call ahead to schedule an appointment.
INTRODUCTION
Whether you are a seasoned professional looking for part time work, or just starting your career in counseling or social work, we have an On-Call Counselor job for you! Encompass will train you to provide a host of services at our residential mental health treatment programs. We currently have openings for counselors in our mental health facilities located throughout Santa Cruz County.
About us
At Encompass Community Services we provide our community with a wide range of services related to family & social well-being, early childhood education, behavioral health, housing and more. Telos, El Dorado Center and Casa Pacific are three short-term residential treatment programs for individuals struggling with mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders. The primary goal of these programs is to assist individuals with increasing wellness and transitioning from residential care to more independent settings within the community. Our Counselors play an important role in assisting the residents we serve on their journey towards wellness and stability through treatment that is trauma-informed and person-centered.
Job Summary
The On-Call Counselor is available to work as needed to cover shifts that include ensuring the safety and well-being of the residents at the facility and supporting program operations. We are looking for individuals who have some experience or education working with individuals who struggle with mental illness and substance use disorders, and people with a passion to serve this unique population. We are looking for on call counselors with the skill and ability to work with clients who have multiple complex mental health, and physical health needs, and who are able to manage multiple tasks.
We are hiring on-call counselors who are available to work swing, night, and weekend shifts. Position requires availability to cover weekend shifts.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Respond to emails, texts, or phone calls in a timely manner. Be available and responsive to requests for on-call coverage as needed.
- Ensure adequate safety for program residents and property during specific shift hours.
- Responsible for responding to client behavioral and/or medical issues, facility issues, or natural emergencies while on duty.
- May provide therapeutic crisis management, with available support of Manager or On-Call Manager.
- May provide therapeutic intervention services based on best practices & selected evidence based practices for clients with mental health or substance use disorders and/or co-occurring disorders.
- Services may include administrative functions in support of clients, including evaluation, assessments, counseling, and/or assisting in the implementation of appropriate treatment plan interventions and/or the facilitation of individual, group, and crisis counseling sessions.
- Dispensing medication, incident reporting, shift change reporting, and household duties as required.
- General safety checks, headcounts.
- Ability to comply with regulatory requirements.
- Must communicate effectively and be able to use current technology in the following areas: case notes, incident reports, correspondence with community service providers.
Qualifications
- Bilingual English/Spanish desired but not necessary
- High school diploma or GED, some college preferred
- Ability to work independently, manage time well
- Valid driver’s license and clean DMV required
- Computer literacy, including e-mail, Microsoft Word, and ability to navigate electronic health record documentation requirements.
- Good oral and written communication skills, as well as interpersonal skills with co-workers and community partners
- Position requires flu vaccination upon hire.
Wages & Benefits
Our total compensation package includes a comprehensive medical and dental insurance plan for full time employees, 403(b) retirement plan, paid holiday, sick time, and 17 days of paid vacation, pro-rated for positions less than 40 hours a week. Position receives overtime rate on all holidays as well as double times for Christmas and Thanksgiving day. On-call positions will receive one hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked.
Encompass Community Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. We are committed to excellence through diversity and strive to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all clients and employees. Our programs recognize the value of racial, ethnic, cultural and linguistic diversity and strive toward a culture of trauma-informed practice, with the overarching goal of ensuring that all services promote healing, and integrate the values and standards of providing culturally and linguistically appropriate services.
If you require assistance applying on-line, we have computer terminals available at our 380 Encinal Street Suite 200 office in Santa Cruz, Tel: 831-469-1700, and at our 225 Westridge Drive location in Watsonville, Tel: 831-724-3885. Please call ahead to schedule an appointment.
See all 5+ 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 J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a Mental Health Counselor
Align your credentials with U.S. licensure standards
State licensure boards evaluate foreign counseling degrees against local requirements before any host employer can place you. Research your target state's Licensed Professional Counselor or LMHC equivalency rules before applying to host sites.
Target host employers with active training infrastructure
Community mental health centers, VA facilities, and hospital behavioral health departments are most likely to have the structured supervision and training plans that J-1 Trainee and Specialist programs require DOL approval on.
Use Migrate Mate to find J-1-aligned counseling roles
Search Migrate Mate to identify U.S. employers actively hosting international mental health professionals. Filter by role and location to surface organizations whose hiring patterns match J-1 program structures.
Distinguish your J-1 category before contacting employers
Intern status applies if you're currently enrolled in a counseling degree program. Trainee applies if you graduated within the past 12 months or have at least one year of work experience. Presenting the wrong category to HR delays the DS-2019 process.
Confirm the host site will sign a training plan
Your designated sponsor organization, such as Cultural Vistas or CIEE, requires a signed Training or Internship Placement Plan before issuing your DS-2019. Verify the employer contact who will execute that document before accepting any offer.
Check for the two-year home residency requirement early
Mental health counseling roles funded by U.S. government sources or involving skills on the Exchange Visitor Skills List may trigger a two-year home residency requirement. Confirm your status with your designated sponsor before you accept an offer or plan any subsequent U.S. visa applications.
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Find Mental Health Counselor JobsMental Health Counselor J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits a mental health counselor role?
It depends on your career stage. If you're currently enrolled in a counseling degree program, the Intern category applies. If you've graduated within the past 12 months or have at least one year of relevant professional experience, the Trainee category is the correct fit. Experienced clinicians pursuing advanced professional development may qualify under the Specialist category, which targets practitioners with expertise not widely available in their home country.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa as a mental health counselor?
A U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization, not your employer, issues the DS-2019 form that makes your J-1 visa possible. Organizations like Cultural Vistas or CIEE act as the legal sponsor, monitor your program compliance, and maintain your SEVIS record. Your clinical employer is the host site. These are two distinct roles, and the host employer cannot act as the visa sponsor unless it holds its own State Department designation.
How do I find U.S. employers willing to host J-1 mental health counselors?
Use Migrate Mate to search for counseling and behavioral health roles at U.S. employers whose hiring history aligns with international professionals. Community mental health centers, integrated health systems, and university counseling services are among the most common host site types for J-1 counselors. Direct outreach to HR departments should reference your J-1 category and the training plan requirement upfront, so the employer understands the administrative process before extending an offer.
Does the two-year home residency requirement apply to mental health counseling J-1 participants?
It can. The requirement applies if your exchange program is funded by your home or the U.S. government, or if your counseling specialty appears on the Exchange Visitor Skills List for your country. You should confirm your home country's Skills List status with your designated sponsor before accepting any host employer offer, because the requirement affects eligibility for subsequent H-1B, L-1, and immigrant visa applications.
What documents does a host employer need to support my J-1 counselor application?
The host employer must execute a Training or Internship Placement Plan (Form DS-7002) with your designated sponsor organization. This document outlines your supervision structure, specific clinical objectives, hours per phase, and how the training differs from routine employment. The employer also needs to demonstrate it has qualified supervisors, since J-1 Trainee and Specialist programs require documented oversight by licensed professionals throughout the program period.
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