OPT Clinical Counselor Jobs
Clinical Counselor roles on OPT require active licensure or supervised hours under a licensed supervisor, which affects how employers structure your position. Most F-1 OPT students work toward LMHC, LPC, or LCSW credentials during this period. STEM OPT extension is not available for this SOC code, so your 12-month window is firm.
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Get Access To All JobsWe’re building a world of health around every individual — shaping a more connected, convenient and compassionate health experience. At CVS Health®, you’ll be surrounded by passionate colleagues who care deeply, innovate with purpose, hold ourselves accountable and prioritize safety and quality in everything we do. Join us and be part of something bigger – helping to simplify health care one person, one family and one community at a time.
Job Summary:
Aetna Mental Well-being is reimagining how mental health is delivered with a unified, tech-enabled approach for our best-in-class Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Resources for Living. The [insert name of role] plays a vital role in Aetna Mental Wellbeing’s commitment to delivering timely, high-quality mental health care. This position transforms access to mental health support by providing members with an immediate, 24/7 connection via video, live chat, or phone. We are seeking candidates who share our passion for delivering industry-leading mental health services to people nationwide.
Fully Remote EAP Counselor
Sat-Wed, 4:00 PM-12:30 AM EST - This call center is a 24/7 operation and includes varied schedules that fall outside typical business hours. Schedules are established to support business and coverage needs. Shift assignments may change over time, and a shift bid process occurs at least annually, which may impact individual work schedules.
Key Responsibilities:
- Deliver on-demand single session consultations, clinical assessments, triage, and informational services.
- Leverage advanced technology platforms to enhance customer experience, ensuring optimal outcomes by connecting members to the right solutions at the right time to meet their needs.
- Support members in their preferred communication modality, whether via phone, video, or chat, for personalized and effective care.
Required Qualifications:
- Valid, unrestricted independent professional behavioral health clinical license (e.g., LPC, LMFT, LCSW, LMHC, LCMHC, LICSW or Clinical Psychologist) in the state where the candidate will work
- 1+ years of crisis intervention experience
Strong written and verbal communication skills, excellent multitasking abilities, and proficiency in using various technology platforms and tools.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Call center work experience.
- Experience in delivering services via multiple platforms (chat, video, phone).
- Strong rapport-building skills.
- Experience facilitating positive behavior changes.
- 1+ years of EAP, Behavioral Health, or Social Services experience.
- Experience working with diverse populations.
- Familiarity with brief therapy models (Single Session Consultation is very helpful) and Motivational Interviewing.
Education
- Master’s degree in a behavioral health or counseling field.
Anticipated Weekly Hours
40
Time Type
Full time
Pay Range
The typical pay range for this role is:
$66,575.00 - $142,576.00
This pay range represents the base hourly rate or base annual full-time salary for all positions in the job grade within which this position falls. The actual base salary offer will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education, geography and other relevant factors. This position is eligible for a CVS Health bonus, commission or short-term incentive program in addition to the base pay range listed above.
Our people fuel our future. Our teams reflect the customers, patients, members and communities we serve and we are committed to fostering a workplace where every colleague feels valued and that they belong.
Great benefits for great people
We take pride in offering a comprehensive and competitive mix of pay and benefits that reflects our commitment to our colleagues and their families.
This full-time position is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the physical, emotional, and financial well-being of colleagues and their families. The benefits for this position include medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, retirement savings options, wellness programs, and other resources, based on eligibility.
Additional details about available benefits are provided during the application process and on Benefits Moments.
We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on: 09/27/2026
Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state and local laws.
We’re building a world of health around every individual — shaping a more connected, convenient and compassionate health experience. At CVS Health®, you’ll be surrounded by passionate colleagues who care deeply, innovate with purpose, hold ourselves accountable and prioritize safety and quality in everything we do. Join us and be part of something bigger – helping to simplify health care one person, one family and one community at a time.
Job Summary:
Aetna Mental Well-being is reimagining how mental health is delivered with a unified, tech-enabled approach for our best-in-class Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Resources for Living. The [insert name of role] plays a vital role in Aetna Mental Wellbeing’s commitment to delivering timely, high-quality mental health care. This position transforms access to mental health support by providing members with an immediate, 24/7 connection via video, live chat, or phone. We are seeking candidates who share our passion for delivering industry-leading mental health services to people nationwide.
Fully Remote EAP Counselor
Sat-Wed, 4:00 PM-12:30 AM EST - This call center is a 24/7 operation and includes varied schedules that fall outside typical business hours. Schedules are established to support business and coverage needs. Shift assignments may change over time, and a shift bid process occurs at least annually, which may impact individual work schedules.
Key Responsibilities:
- Deliver on-demand single session consultations, clinical assessments, triage, and informational services.
- Leverage advanced technology platforms to enhance customer experience, ensuring optimal outcomes by connecting members to the right solutions at the right time to meet their needs.
- Support members in their preferred communication modality, whether via phone, video, or chat, for personalized and effective care.
Required Qualifications:
- Valid, unrestricted independent professional behavioral health clinical license (e.g., LPC, LMFT, LCSW, LMHC, LCMHC, LICSW or Clinical Psychologist) in the state where the candidate will work
- 1+ years of crisis intervention experience
Strong written and verbal communication skills, excellent multitasking abilities, and proficiency in using various technology platforms and tools.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Call center work experience.
- Experience in delivering services via multiple platforms (chat, video, phone).
- Strong rapport-building skills.
- Experience facilitating positive behavior changes.
- 1+ years of EAP, Behavioral Health, or Social Services experience.
- Experience working with diverse populations.
- Familiarity with brief therapy models (Single Session Consultation is very helpful) and Motivational Interviewing.
Education
- Master’s degree in a behavioral health or counseling field.
Anticipated Weekly Hours
40
Time Type
Full time
Pay Range
The typical pay range for this role is:
$66,575.00 - $142,576.00
This pay range represents the base hourly rate or base annual full-time salary for all positions in the job grade within which this position falls. The actual base salary offer will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education, geography and other relevant factors. This position is eligible for a CVS Health bonus, commission or short-term incentive program in addition to the base pay range listed above.
Our people fuel our future. Our teams reflect the customers, patients, members and communities we serve and we are committed to fostering a workplace where every colleague feels valued and that they belong.
Great benefits for great people
We take pride in offering a comprehensive and competitive mix of pay and benefits that reflects our commitment to our colleagues and their families.
This full-time position is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the physical, emotional, and financial well-being of colleagues and their families. The benefits for this position include medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, retirement savings options, wellness programs, and other resources, based on eligibility.
Additional details about available benefits are provided during the application process and on Benefits Moments.
We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on: 09/27/2026
Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state and local laws.
See all 6,461+ OPT Clinical Counselor Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Clinical Counselor Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Clinical Counselor
Lead with your supervised hours status
Employers in clinical settings want to know exactly where you are in your licensure process. State upfront how many supervised hours you have completed and how many remain. This removes ambiguity and positions you as a serious candidate.
Target community mental health centers early
Community mental health centers and nonprofits have more experience supervising pre-licensed clinicians and often have established OPT hiring pipelines. They are more likely to provide the structured supervision your licensure requires and to consider H-1B visa sponsorship afterward.
Confirm your OPT dates are on your resume
Include your OPT authorization period and EAD card expiration date on your resume or cover letter. Clinical employers run background and credentialing checks early, so surfacing your work authorization timeline upfront prevents delays in the hiring process.
Clarify the H-1B specialty occupation fit in interviews
Clinical Counselor roles typically qualify as H-1B specialty occupations because they require a master's degree in a specific field. Raise this proactively with employers so they understand sponsorship is legally straightforward, not a complex or unusual request.
Check state licensure requirements before applying
Licensure rules vary significantly by state and affect what clinical tasks you can perform under OPT. Some states restrict pre-licensed clinicians from billing insurance independently. Understanding your state's scope-of-practice rules helps you target roles where you can actually function.
Ask about supervision structure during the interview
Clinical positions with built-in licensed supervision are far more valuable during OPT than independent contractor roles. Ask directly whether a licensed supervisor is on staff and whether the role counts toward your licensure hours before accepting any offer.
Clinical Counselor OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Clinical Counselor role qualify for OPT work authorization?
Yes, Clinical Counselor positions qualify for OPT as long as the role is directly related to your field of study, typically counseling, psychology, social work, or a related mental health discipline. Your employer does not need to file anything with USCIS during your OPT period. You work on the strength of your EAD card and your valid F-1 status.
Can I work as a Clinical Counselor on OPT without a full license?
Yes, but the scope of what you can do depends on your state. Most states allow pre-licensed counselors to provide clinical services under the supervision of a fully licensed professional. Your OPT authorization covers the work itself, but state licensing boards govern what services you can deliver. Confirm your state's supervised practice rules before accepting a role.
Is the STEM OPT extension available for Clinical Counselor jobs?
No. Clinical Counselor positions fall under SOC codes that are not on the STEM Designated Degree Program list maintained by the Department of Homeland Security. Your OPT window is 12 months. If you want to continue working in the U.S. after OPT ends, you will need an employer to sponsor you for an H-1B or another visa category before your authorization expires.
How do I find Clinical Counselor employers who are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and visa-sponsored job seekers, so you can browse Clinical Counselor openings from employers who have indicated sponsorship willingness. Community mental health centers, hospital systems, and university counseling centers are among the most active hirers of OPT candidates in this field, both for the position itself and for subsequent H-1B sponsorship.
Does a Clinical Counselor job qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B sponsorship after OPT?
Generally yes. USCIS has consistently recognized clinical counseling as a specialty occupation because the role normally requires at minimum a master's degree in counseling, psychology, or social work. That degree-to-job-duties connection is exactly what the specialty occupation standard requires. Your employer will need to document the degree requirement clearly in the H-1B petition, which most clinical settings can do without difficulty.