OPT Addiction Therapist Jobs
Addiction Therapist roles on OPT require active state licensure or supervised hours toward licensure, making your visa timeline a real planning factor. Most employers fall under STEM-ineligible counseling fields, so standard 12-month OPT authorization applies unless your degree qualifies for extension.
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Join our Team
We are looking for compassionate, caring people to join our talented staff of health care professionals as we continue to grow to be the preferred, regional health care partner in our community.
Benefits
We pride ourselves on retaining our top talent by offering work environments that support professional development and personal success. In addition to our robust healthcare and retirement plans, we offer:
- Flexible schedules for work-life balance
- Paid time off accrues on day one for part- and full-time employees
- Get up to 50% of earned wages with Payactiv - access to the money you worked for, but haven't been paid yet
- Earn While You Learn – Deaconess offers tuition reimbursement for many healthcare opportunities, STEPUP program will pay your normal wages for time spent in enrolled class hours for up to 18 hours per week for approved programs.
- Educational Assistance up to $5,250.00 per calendar year while enrolled in undergraduate or graduate classes.
- Outstanding Referral Programs
- Pet Insurance Available
- Medical Premium Assistance of up to 20% is available for eligible full-time employees.
- Wellness Incentives for full & part-time employee to reduce cost of insurance premium by $33.93 (and $11.30 for a spouse, if applicable)
- Onsite children’s care centers (Infant through Pre-K). Locations include: Henderson, KY, Midtown and Eastside, Evansville, IN. Openings are subject to availability
- Deaconess RN on Call is available for employees 24/7/365 to speak to an RN
- Automatic enrollment in a 401K plan at 3% pre-tax contribution with an outstanding employer matching program
- Competitive pay, shift and weekend incentives, yearly opportunities for pay increases and bonuses
- Career advancement opportunities
Job Summary
- Facilitate group therapy sessions for adults in the IOP setting.
- Provide individual therapy and support as needed.
- Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to develop and implement individualized treatment plans.
- Maintain accurate clinical documentation in accordance with regulatory standards.
- Support clients in building skills for sustained recovery.
Education and Experience
Master’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
- Licensure (LCSW, LCAC, LMHC, LMFT, or equivalent) required
- Credentialing in Addictions required (LCAC, LAC, CADAC II, III, IV or V, APIT, ICACI, ICACII, NACA I or II, or MAC)
Key Words: Outpatient, Therapist, Cross Pointe, Social Work, Chemical Dependency, CDIOP, LCAC
Clinical Addictions Therapist to support group programming. Licensure (LCSW, LCAC, LMHC, LMFT, or equivalent) required. Credentialing in Addictions required (LCAC, LAC, CADAC II, III, IV or V, APIT, ICACI, ICACII, NACA I or II, or MAC).
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Addiction Therapist
Know your licensure status before you apply
Most Addiction Therapist positions require a Licensed Professional Counselor, LCSW, or CADC credential. Verify which license your target state requires and whether your OPT timeline gives you enough supervised hours to reach licensure before authorization expires.
Target employers who already sponsor H-1B visas
Behavioral health hospitals, large nonprofit treatment networks, and federally qualified health centers have established immigration processes. Searching employers with prior H-1B visa sponsorship history signals they understand the process and are more likely to extend sponsorship after OPT.
Clarify your work authorization status upfront
Addiction Therapist hiring often involves credentialing departments that review work authorization documents. Mention your OPT EAD and authorized end date early so HR and clinical credentialing teams can confirm timelines before investing in the hiring process.
Pursue supervised clinical hours aggressively early on
Many states require 2,000 to 4,000 supervised post-graduate hours for full licensure. Starting OPT in a supervised counseling role immediately maximizes your hours accumulation before your authorization window closes or transitions to H-1B sponsorship.
Focus on settings familiar with international clinicians
Community mental health centers, Veterans Affairs facilities, and university counseling centers regularly hire international staff and understand OPT and H-1B requirements. These settings are more likely to have HR infrastructure ready to support your transition to long-term sponsorship.
Align your job search with your degree field
Your OPT must relate directly to your degree program. A counseling or social work degree supports Addiction Therapist roles clearly. If your degree is in psychology or a related field, confirm the role description explicitly matches your field to protect your authorization.
Addiction Therapist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an Addiction Therapist on OPT without a state license?
It depends on the state and the role. Many entry-level or associate-level positions allow you to work under supervision while accumulating hours toward licensure. However, roles requiring a fully independent license, such as Licensed Professional Counselor or LCSW, require you to hold that credential before practicing. Confirm your state's specific requirements before accepting an offer.
Does an Addiction Therapist role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Most Addiction Therapist positions do not qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension because counseling and social work degree programs are not on the STEM Designated Degree Program list. If your degree is in a STEM-classified field such as applied psychology or behavioral neuroscience, review your degree's CIP code with your DSO to confirm eligibility before assuming an extension is available.
How do I find Addiction Therapist employers who sponsor OPT and H-1B visas?
Migrate Mate is built specifically to surface visa-sponsoring employers for OPT students, so it's the most efficient place to search for Addiction Therapist roles where sponsorship is a realistic option. Larger behavioral health networks, nonprofit treatment centers, and federally funded community health programs have established immigration support and are more likely to sponsor H-1B visas once your OPT period ends.
What happens to my OPT authorization if I switch from one Addiction Therapist role to another?
You can change employers on OPT as long as the new role is directly related to your degree program. Report the employment change to your DSO within 10 days so they can update your SEVIS record. A gap between positions is allowed, but gaps exceeding 90 days in aggregate can put your OPT status at risk, so minimize time between roles.
Will clinical supervision count as authorized OPT employment for an Addiction Therapist?
Yes, supervised clinical positions that directly relate to your degree field count as authorized OPT employment, even if you are not yet independently licensed. The role must be tied to your field of study and you must be actively employed, not simply completing unpaid volunteer hours. Confirm with your DSO that the position description aligns with your degree before starting.