Clinical Psychologist Jobs for OPT Students
Clinical Psychologist roles on OPT require a doctoral degree and active state licensure, which can take one to two years to obtain after graduation. STEM OPT extension is not available for this field, so your 12-month window drives the timeline. Most employers in hospital systems, university counseling centers, and private practices will need to sponsor H-1B after OPT ends.
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Get Access To All JobsAbout Solace
Healthcare in the U.S. is fundamentally broken. The system is so complex that 88% of U.S. adults do not have the health literacy necessary to navigate it without help. Solace cuts through the red tape of healthcare by pairing patients with expert advocates and giving them the tools to make better decisions—and get better outcomes.
We're a Series C startup, founded in 2022 and backed by Inspired Capital, Craft Ventures, Torch Capital, Menlo Ventures, Signalfire, and IVP. Our U.S. based team is lean, mission-driven, and growing quickly.
Solace isn't a place to coast. We're here to redefine healthcare—and that demands urgency, precision, and heart. If you're looking to stretch yourself, sharpen your edge, and do the best work of your life alongside a team that cares deeply, you're in the right place. We’re intense, and we like it that way.
About the Role
As a Clinical Psychologist, you will be instrumental in setting the tone for a patient’s journey at Solace. You will conduct intake assessments for new patients, obtaining relevant patient history and clinical information to ensure they are set up for success once they get started with a Solace advocate for ongoing support.
Reporting directly to our Director of Behavioral Health, you will be pivotal in shaping this new service offering at Solace. Your feedback will be critical as we iterate on the services and build toward scalability.
- Perform intake evaluations in accordance with Solace’s guidelines, gathering clinical information including a patient’s chronic conditions, behavioral health conditions, and health-related social needs
- Maintain accurate, complete, timely, and compliant documentation
- Work closely with the Director of Behavioral Health to provide feedback about processes and procedures, and work to establish new processes and best practices
- Participate in interdisciplinary meetings with clinical operations, product, and other verticals in the organization
- Operate as a behavioral health subject matter expert on the team, supporting Solace patient advocates who are working with behaviorally complex patients
- Provide input on platform enhancements, clinical decision support, and other tools required to enable this new service
What You Bring to the Table
- Active, unrestricted licensure as a psychologist (PhD or PsyD) in the state of California and/or PSYPACT authorization
- 3+ years of independent practice
- Deep understanding of the DSM-5 diagnostic guidelines
- Experience with patients who have medical complexity in addition to behavioral health needs
- A willingness to give feedback and practice in an iterative setting
- A willingness to roll up your sleeves and help out beyond direct patient care
- Prior startup experience is a plus; prior experience working at a tech-forward clinical startup is a massive plus; comfort working autonomously is a necessity
Applicants must be based in the United States.
Up for the Challenge?
We look forward to meeting you.
Fraudulent Recruitment Advisory: Solace Health will NEVER request bank details or offer employment without an interview. All legitimate communications come from official solace.health emails only or ashbyhq.com. Report suspicious activity to recruiting@solace.health or advocate@solace.health.
About Solace
Healthcare in the U.S. is fundamentally broken. The system is so complex that 88% of U.S. adults do not have the health literacy necessary to navigate it without help. Solace cuts through the red tape of healthcare by pairing patients with expert advocates and giving them the tools to make better decisions—and get better outcomes.
We're a Series C startup, founded in 2022 and backed by Inspired Capital, Craft Ventures, Torch Capital, Menlo Ventures, Signalfire, and IVP. Our U.S. based team is lean, mission-driven, and growing quickly.
Solace isn't a place to coast. We're here to redefine healthcare—and that demands urgency, precision, and heart. If you're looking to stretch yourself, sharpen your edge, and do the best work of your life alongside a team that cares deeply, you're in the right place. We’re intense, and we like it that way.
About the Role
As a Clinical Psychologist, you will be instrumental in setting the tone for a patient’s journey at Solace. You will conduct intake assessments for new patients, obtaining relevant patient history and clinical information to ensure they are set up for success once they get started with a Solace advocate for ongoing support.
Reporting directly to our Director of Behavioral Health, you will be pivotal in shaping this new service offering at Solace. Your feedback will be critical as we iterate on the services and build toward scalability.
- Perform intake evaluations in accordance with Solace’s guidelines, gathering clinical information including a patient’s chronic conditions, behavioral health conditions, and health-related social needs
- Maintain accurate, complete, timely, and compliant documentation
- Work closely with the Director of Behavioral Health to provide feedback about processes and procedures, and work to establish new processes and best practices
- Participate in interdisciplinary meetings with clinical operations, product, and other verticals in the organization
- Operate as a behavioral health subject matter expert on the team, supporting Solace patient advocates who are working with behaviorally complex patients
- Provide input on platform enhancements, clinical decision support, and other tools required to enable this new service
What You Bring to the Table
- Active, unrestricted licensure as a psychologist (PhD or PsyD) in the state of California and/or PSYPACT authorization
- 3+ years of independent practice
- Deep understanding of the DSM-5 diagnostic guidelines
- Experience with patients who have medical complexity in addition to behavioral health needs
- A willingness to give feedback and practice in an iterative setting
- A willingness to roll up your sleeves and help out beyond direct patient care
- Prior startup experience is a plus; prior experience working at a tech-forward clinical startup is a massive plus; comfort working autonomously is a necessity
Applicants must be based in the United States.
Up for the Challenge?
We look forward to meeting you.
Fraudulent Recruitment Advisory: Solace Health will NEVER request bank details or offer employment without an interview. All legitimate communications come from official solace.health emails only or ashbyhq.com. Report suspicious activity to recruiting@solace.health or advocate@solace.health.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Clinical Psychologist
Start licensure paperwork before graduation
State licensure applications take months. Filing your supervised hours documentation and exam applications before you graduate protects your OPT window and signals to employers that you will be practice-ready within a predictable timeframe.
Target employers with H-1B sponsorship history
Hospital systems, university counseling centers, and federally funded community mental health centers have established HR infrastructure for visa sponsorship. These organizations sponsor far more consistently than small private practices with no prior immigration experience.
Frame your supervised hours as a hiring asset
Employers hiring on OPT know licensure is pending. Present a clear timeline showing your postdoctoral hours completion date and expected licensure date so hiring managers can plan around your authorization status without uncertainty.
Prioritize roles with postdoctoral fellowship structures
Many hospital systems and academic medical centers offer formal postdoctoral fellowships that include visa sponsorship infrastructure. These structured programs are specifically designed to accommodate new doctoral graduates on temporary work authorization.
Browse OPT-friendly psychology roles on Migrate Mate
Migrate Mate filters Clinical Psychologist listings by visa sponsorship willingness, saving significant research time. Focusing applications on employers already open to OPT status improves response rates and reduces rejection from automatic screening filters.
Clinical Psychologist jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Clinical Psychologist on OPT before I have my state license?
Yes, but with significant limitations. Most states allow unlicensed doctoral graduates to work under supervision while accumulating postdoctoral hours, and that supervised role can qualify as OPT employment. However, you cannot practice independently or hold a position requiring licensure as a condition of hire. Confirm with your DSO that your specific role and supervision arrangement satisfies USCIS OPT employment requirements.
Is Clinical Psychology eligible for the STEM OPT 24-month extension?
No. Clinical Psychology (CIP code 42.2801) is not on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List, so graduates receive only the standard 12-month OPT authorization. This makes early job searching and H-1B sponsorship planning critical, since the timeline to secure sponsorship before OPT expires is tight, particularly given state licensure processing delays.
What types of employers are most likely to sponsor Clinical Psychologists for H-1B after OPT?
Large hospital systems such as Kaiser Permanente and VA Medical Centers, academic medical centers affiliated with universities, and federally qualified health centers have the most consistent H-1B sponsorship track records for Clinical Psychologists. University counseling and psychological services departments also sponsor regularly. Small independent practices rarely sponsor due to limited HR capacity and legal resources. Use Migrate Mate to identify which specific employers have active sponsorship-open listings.
Does postdoctoral supervision count as valid OPT employment for Clinical Psychologists?
Yes, provided the position is directly related to your doctoral degree in clinical psychology and meets the minimum 20-hours-per-week threshold for full-time OPT. Postdoctoral fellowships in clinical settings typically satisfy this requirement. You must report the employer to your DSO through SEVP portal within 10 days of starting. Keep documentation showing how the role relates to your degree in case of a future status audit.
Can I work at a private practice on OPT as a Clinical Psychologist?
Yes, including self-employment in some cases, though it is complicated. USCIS permits self-employment on OPT if you own a business and the work is directly related to your degree. For private practice, you must have a formal business entity and document that you are performing psychology services, not administrative work. Independent contractor arrangements with group practices are also permissible. Consult your DSO before structuring any self-employment arrangement.
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