J-1 Visa Mental Health Technician Jobs
Mental Health Technician roles in the United States are accessible to international candidates through J-1 visa sponsorship under the Trainee or Intern program categories, connecting you with psychiatric facilities, behavioral health centers, and hospitals that host exchange visitors seeking hands-on clinical support training.
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Applicants seeking short-term or part-time work with the University Hawai'i may apply for Casual Hire positions, which include administrative, professional, and technical (APT) or instructional-type positions. Because of the temporary nature of these appointments, Casual Hire employees are not eligible for most benefits as provided to regular BOR and Civil Service employees such as paid leave and holidays. Casual Hire appointments may last for up to 89 days for full-time employees, and up to 1 calendar year for part-time employees.
Pre-Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Title: Casual Hire - Mental Health Intern / Pre-Licensee
Hiring Unit: UHM Athletics
Location: Student-Athlete Services
Date Posted: July 31, 2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Full Time / Part Time: Part Time
Other Conditions: Hours not to exceed 15 hours per week. All positions require successful completion of a background check. Continuous recruitment until programmatic needs are met. For best consideration, review of applications will begin on August 7, 2026.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Pre-licensed mental health professional functioning as therapist / counselor (under supervision), available to all student-athletes at UHM.
- Part of a multi-disciplinary team responsible for maintaining the mental health and wellness of UHM student-athletes.
- Responsible for assisting athletes across all mental health disciplines, including coping with stress, anxiety, and depression, transitioning into and out of collegiate athletics, rehabilitation from injury, and dealing with common mental health conditions.
- Will function as a member of the departmental team. Responsible for triaging referrals and collaborating on cases with other members of the healthcare delivery team.
- Must be able to assist the patient in a sensitive and supportive manner, while acting as an advocate on behalf of the patient.
- Responsible for providing individual counseling and/or psychotherapy services as indicated to student-athletes, under the supervision of licensed mental health practitioners.
- Maintain accurate and current notes as part of patient Mental Health records, for all patients seen.
- Conduct psychosocial assessments and provide psychosocial treatment to a wide variety of individuals, to treat emotional/behavior problems, educational/academic problems, attention problems, organic disorders, eating disorders, social and interpersonal dysfunction, physical/sexual/emotional abuse and neglect, personality dysfunction and drug/alcohol abuse (under supervision).
- Provide proactive education to UHM athletic department personnel and UHM student-athletes regarding relevant mental health topics.
- Maintain collaborative working relationships with administrators and coaches in the department, other college offices, and appropriate relationships with individuals interested in the Athletics Department.
- Promote and maintain an environment where the physical, mental, social and academic well-being of all student-athletes are a priority.
- Responsible for performing the duties of a Campus Security Authority as defined by University policy and federal law with regards to the Clery Act.
- Maintains confidentiality to include but not limited to information, files and records that the incumbent may obtain or possess, in accordance with federal and state laws and University of Hawaii policies.
- Know, recognize, and comply with the laws, policies, rules, and regulations governing the University of Hawaii and its employees, and the rules of the NCAA and affiliated conferences as now constituted or as may be amended in the future.
- Immediately advises the Director of Athletics or designee if you have reasonable cause to believe violations, whether by employees, students, or others have occurred or will occur.
- Other Duties As Assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Credentialed mental health professional – must hold one of the following:
- Masters or Doctorate of Social Work from a graduate school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
- Doctorate of Psychology (Psy.D.) from an American Psychological Association accredited program in clinical psychology, counseling psychology, school psychology, or a combination of these.
- Masters or Doctorate in Mental Health Counseling fields from a fully accredited education institution, including (but not limited to) Masters in Counseling Psychology, Clinical Counseling, and Marriage & Family Therapy.
- Must be a credentialed mental health professional who is a pre-license candidate, and must be supervised by a current, fully licensed UH Athletics mental health professional.
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of professional standards and ethics regarding the delivery of mental health services.
- Understanding of, and compliance with, privacy standards including HIPAA and FERPA.
Desired Qualifications:
- At least one year of experience in the provision of mental health services to athletes at a collegiate, professional, or elite level.
- At least one year of experience with provision of mental health services to students at the college / university level.
- Knowledge and functional understanding of the unique stressors and experiences faced by Division 1 Athletes.
- At least one year of experience practicing individual and/or group psychotherapy.
- Experience in working with and diagnosing common mental health disorders (depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder).
- Experience in working with and treating eating disorders.
- CMPC (Certified Mental Performance Consultant) Certification.
TO APPLY:
INQUIRIES: Kelly Hee, Director of Mental Health Care Services/Counseling, kmsoler@hawaii.edu
EEO, Clery Act, ADA
The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/
Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.
In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.
Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/
Description
Applicants seeking short-term or part-time work with the University Hawai'i may apply for Casual Hire positions, which include administrative, professional, and technical (APT) or instructional-type positions. Because of the temporary nature of these appointments, Casual Hire employees are not eligible for most benefits as provided to regular BOR and Civil Service employees such as paid leave and holidays. Casual Hire appointments may last for up to 89 days for full-time employees, and up to 1 calendar year for part-time employees.
Pre-Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Title: Casual Hire - Mental Health Intern / Pre-Licensee
Hiring Unit: UHM Athletics
Location: Student-Athlete Services
Date Posted: July 31, 2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Full Time / Part Time: Part Time
Other Conditions: Hours not to exceed 15 hours per week. All positions require successful completion of a background check. Continuous recruitment until programmatic needs are met. For best consideration, review of applications will begin on August 7, 2026.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Pre-licensed mental health professional functioning as therapist / counselor (under supervision), available to all student-athletes at UHM.
- Part of a multi-disciplinary team responsible for maintaining the mental health and wellness of UHM student-athletes.
- Responsible for assisting athletes across all mental health disciplines, including coping with stress, anxiety, and depression, transitioning into and out of collegiate athletics, rehabilitation from injury, and dealing with common mental health conditions.
- Will function as a member of the departmental team. Responsible for triaging referrals and collaborating on cases with other members of the healthcare delivery team.
- Must be able to assist the patient in a sensitive and supportive manner, while acting as an advocate on behalf of the patient.
- Responsible for providing individual counseling and/or psychotherapy services as indicated to student-athletes, under the supervision of licensed mental health practitioners.
- Maintain accurate and current notes as part of patient Mental Health records, for all patients seen.
- Conduct psychosocial assessments and provide psychosocial treatment to a wide variety of individuals, to treat emotional/behavior problems, educational/academic problems, attention problems, organic disorders, eating disorders, social and interpersonal dysfunction, physical/sexual/emotional abuse and neglect, personality dysfunction and drug/alcohol abuse (under supervision).
- Provide proactive education to UHM athletic department personnel and UHM student-athletes regarding relevant mental health topics.
- Maintain collaborative working relationships with administrators and coaches in the department, other college offices, and appropriate relationships with individuals interested in the Athletics Department.
- Promote and maintain an environment where the physical, mental, social and academic well-being of all student-athletes are a priority.
- Responsible for performing the duties of a Campus Security Authority as defined by University policy and federal law with regards to the Clery Act.
- Maintains confidentiality to include but not limited to information, files and records that the incumbent may obtain or possess, in accordance with federal and state laws and University of Hawaii policies.
- Know, recognize, and comply with the laws, policies, rules, and regulations governing the University of Hawaii and its employees, and the rules of the NCAA and affiliated conferences as now constituted or as may be amended in the future.
- Immediately advises the Director of Athletics or designee if you have reasonable cause to believe violations, whether by employees, students, or others have occurred or will occur.
- Other Duties As Assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Credentialed mental health professional – must hold one of the following:
- Masters or Doctorate of Social Work from a graduate school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
- Doctorate of Psychology (Psy.D.) from an American Psychological Association accredited program in clinical psychology, counseling psychology, school psychology, or a combination of these.
- Masters or Doctorate in Mental Health Counseling fields from a fully accredited education institution, including (but not limited to) Masters in Counseling Psychology, Clinical Counseling, and Marriage & Family Therapy.
- Must be a credentialed mental health professional who is a pre-license candidate, and must be supervised by a current, fully licensed UH Athletics mental health professional.
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of professional standards and ethics regarding the delivery of mental health services.
- Understanding of, and compliance with, privacy standards including HIPAA and FERPA.
Desired Qualifications:
- At least one year of experience in the provision of mental health services to athletes at a collegiate, professional, or elite level.
- At least one year of experience with provision of mental health services to students at the college / university level.
- Knowledge and functional understanding of the unique stressors and experiences faced by Division 1 Athletes.
- At least one year of experience practicing individual and/or group psychotherapy.
- Experience in working with and diagnosing common mental health disorders (depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder).
- Experience in working with and treating eating disorders.
- CMPC (Certified Mental Performance Consultant) Certification.
TO APPLY:
INQUIRIES: Kelly Hee, Director of Mental Health Care Services/Counseling, kmsoler@hawaii.edu
EEO, Clery Act, ADA
The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/
Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.
In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.
Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/
See all J-1 Visa Mental Health Technician Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new J-1 Visa Mental Health Technician Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a Mental Health Technician
Align your credentials with Trainee eligibility
The J-1 visa Trainee category requires a degree or professional certificate in a relevant field plus one year of related work experience abroad, or five years of work experience without a degree. Gather documentation proving both before applying.
Target host employers with behavioral health infrastructure
Psychiatric hospitals, community mental health centers, and residential treatment facilities are far more likely to take on a J-1 Mental Health Technician than general acute-care hospitals. Search for facilities with dedicated behavioral health units when evaluating host employer options.
Search J-1-aligned roles on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter for Mental Health Technician roles at U.S. employers who have a history of hosting international exchange visitors, so you're applying where the pathway already exists rather than building it from scratch.
Prepare a structured training plan before outreach
Designated sponsors like Cultural Vistas or CIEE require a completed Training or Internship Placement Plan before issuing your DS-2019. Draft a week-by-week skills outline covering crisis intervention, patient observation, and documentation protocols so the host employer can sign off quickly.
Clarify the two-year home residency rule early
Mental Health Technician roles can fall under the health-related field category, which may trigger the two-year home residency requirement. Confirm with your designated sponsor whether your specific training plan classification carries this requirement before accepting an offer.
Confirm prevailing wage compliance with your host employer
J-1 Trainees must receive compensation comparable to U.S. counterparts in the same role and location. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the prevailing wage for mental health support staff in your host city, and verify your offer meets that threshold before your sponsor finalizes the DS-2019.
Mental Health Technician J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category applies to Mental Health Technician roles?
Current students enrolled in a psychology, social work, or healthcare program typically use the J-1 Intern category. Candidates who have already graduated and have at least one year of relevant work experience outside the U.S. generally qualify under the Trainee category. The Trainee path is more common for Mental Health Technician placements because most host facilities expect candidates who can function semi-independently in a clinical support role.
Who actually sponsors the J-1 visa for a Mental Health Technician position?
The visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, not the hospital or behavioral health facility where you work. Organizations like Cultural Vistas, CIEE, or AIPT issue the DS-2019 form, manage compliance, and approve your training plan. The hiring facility is your host employer. Confusing the two is the most common source of delays, because candidates sometimes ask the host employer for sponsorship documents that only the designated sponsor can provide.
How do I find U.S. behavioral health facilities open to hosting J-1 exchange visitors?
Migrate Mate lets you filter Mental Health Technician roles by employers with a documented history of hosting international candidates, which removes the guesswork of cold-applying to facilities unfamiliar with J-1 procedures. Most facilities that have hosted before have an existing relationship with a designated sponsor and an internal process for onboarding exchange visitors, which significantly shortens your placement timeline.
Does the two-year home residency requirement apply to Mental Health Technician J-1 holders?
It depends on how your training plan is classified and whether your home country has a skills-list agreement with the U.S. Department of State. Mental health and behavioral health fields are sometimes treated as health-related categories subject to the requirement under INA Section 212(e). Your designated sponsor must assess this before issuing your DS-2019, and if the requirement applies, you cannot change to H-1B visa or adjust status in the U.S. until you've returned home for two years or obtained a waiver.
Can a J-1 Mental Health Technician work across multiple units or shift types during the placement?
Your authorized activities are limited to what the approved Training or Internship Placement Plan describes. If your plan covers inpatient psychiatric observation on day shifts, working in an outpatient substance use program or picking up overnight shifts not listed in the plan technically falls outside your authorization. Any significant change to your duties or schedule requires an amended plan approved by your designated sponsor before you start working in the new capacity.