OPT Clinical Therapist Jobs
Clinical Therapist roles on OPT require a master's or doctoral degree in counseling, social work, or psychology, plus state licensure that varies by location. Most positions offer STEM OPT extension eligibility when employed through qualifying healthcare organizations, giving you up to three years of work authorization.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Join our team and help launch the first state psychiatric hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth, where innovative caregivers will make a lasting impact on behavioral health in Texas.
The Texas Behavioral Health Center is a newly completed state-funded psychiatric hospital opening in Dallas’ Southwestern Medical District that is owned by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and operated by UT Southwestern Medical Center.
When fully operational, the 505,000-square-foot facility will house 292 beds – 200 for adult patients and 92 for children and adolescents. As DFW’s first state-funded behavioral health hospital, it is designed to deliver state-of-the-art, patient-centered care in a modern and healing environment. The center provides comprehensive behavioral health treatment and features private patient rooms, abundant access to natural light and nature, and thoughtfully designed spaces that promote recovery. The hospital will also provide training to all behavioral health disciplines.
As employees of UT Southwestern, team members will join a world-class academic medical center committed to patient-centered care, innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and preparing patients for successful reintegration into their families and communities. With competitive benefits and a mission-driven culture, Texas Behavioral Health Center offers an unparalleled opportunity to make a lasting impact on mental health care in North Texas.
WHY UT SOUTHWESTERN?
With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world-renowned medical and research center, we strive to provide the best possible care, resources, and benefits for our valued employees. Ranked as the number 1 hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth according to U.S. News & World Report, we invest in you with opportunities for career growth and development to align with your future goals. Our highly competitive benefits package offers healthcare, PTO and paid holidays, on-site childcare, wage, merit increases and so much more. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you'll discover a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and a rewarding career!
JOB SUMMARY
Works under minimal supervision to provide advanced professional skills in development of social service programs and to provide advanced social service to patients with multiple and/or complex needs in clinical and/or hospital environment.
BENEFITS
UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:
- PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
- 100% coverage for preventive healthcare-no copay
- Paid Time Off, available day one
- Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
- Paid Parental Leave Benefit
- Wellness programs
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Required
Education
Master's degree in social work, Counseling, or other related field.
Experience
3 years' experience working face to face with patients
Licenses and Certifications
- (LCSW) LIC CLINCAL SOCIAL WORKER license by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners, or
- (LPC) LICENSED PROF COUNSELOR license by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners, or
- (LMFT) LIC MAR & FAM THERAPIST license by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners
- (LCDC) LIC CHEM DEPENDENCY CSLR only required for roles specifically within the Texas Behavioral Health Center
JOB DUTIES
-
Provides comprehensive mental health intake evaluations that document patients' relevant personal and medical history, as well as primary symptoms and presumptive diagnosis. Uses information obtained in these evaluations to make appropriate treatment recommendations to patients based on their needs and the availability of services in the clinic or community. Documentation of evaluations is timely and complete and allows other providers in the clinic to have a clear sense of the patient's needs and clinical presentation.
-
Provides individual and/or group psychotherapy intervention to assigned patients at a level consistent with the standards of care in the clinic. Therapy practice is evidence-based whenever possible, time-limited, and responsive to patients needs while maintaining a strategy for the course of treatment. Therapy intervention is tailored to the needs of the patient both in content and in length of treatment. Documentation of therapy work is timely, complete and meets compliance standards for billing encounters.
-
Provides referrals to care as needed based on evaluation of patient needs. Initiates referrals, coordinates services and identify resources to meet patient needs.
-
Works closely with clinic leadership team to identify, develop and implement workflows and programs that enhance utilization of clinic services and patient centered care.
-
Provides independent evaluation, diagnostic clarity and psychotherapy treatment for complex and time-sensitive patient management.
-
Performs other duties as assigned.
SECURITY AND EEO STATEMENT
Security
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.
EEO
UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.
INTRODUCTION
Join our team and help launch the first state psychiatric hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth, where innovative caregivers will make a lasting impact on behavioral health in Texas.
The Texas Behavioral Health Center is a newly completed state-funded psychiatric hospital opening in Dallas’ Southwestern Medical District that is owned by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and operated by UT Southwestern Medical Center.
When fully operational, the 505,000-square-foot facility will house 292 beds – 200 for adult patients and 92 for children and adolescents. As DFW’s first state-funded behavioral health hospital, it is designed to deliver state-of-the-art, patient-centered care in a modern and healing environment. The center provides comprehensive behavioral health treatment and features private patient rooms, abundant access to natural light and nature, and thoughtfully designed spaces that promote recovery. The hospital will also provide training to all behavioral health disciplines.
As employees of UT Southwestern, team members will join a world-class academic medical center committed to patient-centered care, innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and preparing patients for successful reintegration into their families and communities. With competitive benefits and a mission-driven culture, Texas Behavioral Health Center offers an unparalleled opportunity to make a lasting impact on mental health care in North Texas.
WHY UT SOUTHWESTERN?
With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world-renowned medical and research center, we strive to provide the best possible care, resources, and benefits for our valued employees. Ranked as the number 1 hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth according to U.S. News & World Report, we invest in you with opportunities for career growth and development to align with your future goals. Our highly competitive benefits package offers healthcare, PTO and paid holidays, on-site childcare, wage, merit increases and so much more. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you'll discover a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and a rewarding career!
JOB SUMMARY
Works under minimal supervision to provide advanced professional skills in development of social service programs and to provide advanced social service to patients with multiple and/or complex needs in clinical and/or hospital environment.
BENEFITS
UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:
- PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
- 100% coverage for preventive healthcare-no copay
- Paid Time Off, available day one
- Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
- Paid Parental Leave Benefit
- Wellness programs
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Required
Education
Master's degree in social work, Counseling, or other related field.
Experience
3 years' experience working face to face with patients
Licenses and Certifications
- (LCSW) LIC CLINCAL SOCIAL WORKER license by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners, or
- (LPC) LICENSED PROF COUNSELOR license by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners, or
- (LMFT) LIC MAR & FAM THERAPIST license by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners
- (LCDC) LIC CHEM DEPENDENCY CSLR only required for roles specifically within the Texas Behavioral Health Center
JOB DUTIES
-
Provides comprehensive mental health intake evaluations that document patients' relevant personal and medical history, as well as primary symptoms and presumptive diagnosis. Uses information obtained in these evaluations to make appropriate treatment recommendations to patients based on their needs and the availability of services in the clinic or community. Documentation of evaluations is timely and complete and allows other providers in the clinic to have a clear sense of the patient's needs and clinical presentation.
-
Provides individual and/or group psychotherapy intervention to assigned patients at a level consistent with the standards of care in the clinic. Therapy practice is evidence-based whenever possible, time-limited, and responsive to patients needs while maintaining a strategy for the course of treatment. Therapy intervention is tailored to the needs of the patient both in content and in length of treatment. Documentation of therapy work is timely, complete and meets compliance standards for billing encounters.
-
Provides referrals to care as needed based on evaluation of patient needs. Initiates referrals, coordinates services and identify resources to meet patient needs.
-
Works closely with clinic leadership team to identify, develop and implement workflows and programs that enhance utilization of clinic services and patient centered care.
-
Provides independent evaluation, diagnostic clarity and psychotherapy treatment for complex and time-sensitive patient management.
-
Performs other duties as assigned.
SECURITY AND EEO STATEMENT
Security
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.
EEO
UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.
See all 131+ OPT Clinical Therapist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Clinical Therapist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Clinical Therapist
Prioritize employers with existing OPT sponsorship history
Large hospital systems, community mental health centers, and university counseling services regularly hire international graduates. These organizations already have HR processes for OPT and understand the documentation requirements, making the onboarding process significantly smoother for F-1 students.
Clarify your licensure status upfront
Most clinical therapist roles require state licensure or eligibility for supervised licensure hours. Address your current licensure status and timeline in your cover letter so employers understand where you stand and can confirm the role qualifies under your OPT authorization.
Target roles that qualify for STEM OPT extension
Clinical therapist positions at research hospitals, behavioral health technology companies, or university-affiliated clinics may qualify for STEM OPT if your degree is in a STEM-designated field. Confirming this early gives you up to 24 additional months of work authorization.
Account for OPT start date and clinical hours requirements
Many licensure tracks require post-degree supervised hours that must begin within a specific window. Align your OPT start date with your supervised practice requirements so your clinical hours count toward licensure while you remain in valid work authorization status.
Frame your international background as a clinical asset
Fluency in languages beyond English and cross-cultural competency are genuinely valued in clinical settings serving diverse patient populations. Highlighting these skills in your application positions you as a stronger candidate, not a more complicated hire.
Understand the difference between authorization and sponsorship
OPT authorization comes from your school, not your employer. What employers do is confirm the role is full-time and related to your degree. Explaining this distinction clearly in interviews reduces friction and shows you understand how your work authorization actually functions.
Clinical Therapist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Clinical Therapist on OPT without a state license?
Yes, but with restrictions. Many employers will hire pre-licensed therapists on OPT under a licensed supervisor, which also satisfies post-degree supervised hours required for licensure. The role must be full-time and directly related to your degree field. Confirm with your DSO that the position description aligns with your authorized field of study before accepting an offer.
Does a Clinical Therapist role qualify for a STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree's CIP code. If your program, such as clinical mental health counseling or behavioral neuroscience, carries a STEM designation, and your employer is an E-Verify participant, you may qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Clinical psychology and some counseling degrees have received STEM designation at certain institutions, so verify your specific program's CIP code with your DSO.
How do I find Clinical Therapist employers who are open to hiring OPT students?
Migrate Mate is the recommended place to search, as the platform filters jobs by visa sponsorship and OPT eligibility so you're not wasting time on roles that won't work for your status. Community mental health centers, federally qualified health centers, and large healthcare systems tend to be the most receptive to international graduates compared to small private practices.
What happens to my OPT status if my clinical supervisor leaves or the practice closes?
If your employment ends, your OPT remains valid but you're subject to the 90-day unemployment limit. You must report any change in employer to your DSO within 10 days. For clinical therapist roles, losing a supervising employer can also affect your licensure hours, so finding a replacement position quickly matters for both your immigration status and your professional credentials.
Can a Clinical Therapist role lead to H-1B visa sponsorship?
Clinical therapist positions generally qualify as specialty occupations under the H-1B visa because they require at minimum a master's degree in a specific clinical field. Employers in hospital systems, behavioral health networks, and government-funded mental health programs have a stronger track record of sponsoring H-1B petitions than private practices. If long-term sponsorship is your goal, prioritize larger organizations during your OPT job search.