Counseling Psychologist Jobs for OPT Students
Counseling Psychologist roles on OPT require careful planning: most positions require licensure that takes years to obtain, and your OPT clock starts immediately. STEM OPT extension isn't available for this field, so your 12-month window shapes which clinical settings and supervision pathways are realistic to pursue.
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Get Access To All JobsAt LifeStance Health, we believe in a truly healthy society where mental and physical healthcare are unified to make lives better. Our mission is to help people lead healthier, more fulfilling lives by improving access to trusted, affordable, and personalized mental healthcare. Everywhere. Every day. It’s a lofty goal; we know. But we make it happen with the best team in behavioral health.
Thank you for taking the time to explore a career with us. As the fastest growing behavioral health practice group in the country, now is the perfect time to join our clinical team!
We are actively looking to hire talented Licensed Psychologists in the area who are passionate about patient care and committed to clinical excellence.
We offer Psychologists:
- Competitive compensation package based on productivity with uncapped earning potential
- Average annual compensation: $111,000 to $129,000+
- W2 employed position with flexible hybrid work schedules
- Collaborative work environment with unmatched support
- Sign-on bonus!
- Care Access and Quality Incentive: Annual cash bonus program
- Comprehensive benefit package
- 401k with up to 4% match
- CEUs and Clinical Education Benefit
- Strong work/life balance
Psychologists are a critical part of our clinical team. We’re seeking Psychologists that are:
- Local to and fully licensed in South Carolina;
- PhD or PsyD in Clinical/Counseling Psychology or Neuropsychology;
- Experienced working with child, adolescent, and/or adult populations.
Location and Schedule:
- Conveniently located off of Nexton Pkwy and Brighton Park Blvd
- Start in fewer than 60 days
- Beautifully designed offices that are thoughtfully laid out
- Monday-Friday with evenings/weekends optional
- Flexible hybrid schedule (between office and home) to accommodate work/life balance
Apply now or contact me today!
Leah Sweeney
Director, Practice Development, South Carolina
LifeStance Health, Inc.
(e) Leah.Sweeney@LifeStance.com
About LifeStance Health
LifeStance is a national provider of mental healthcare services focused on evidenced-based, medically driven treatment services for children, adolescents and adults suffering from a variety of mental health issues in an outpatient care setting, both in-person at its clinics nationwide and through its digital health telemedicine offering. The company employs psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and licensed therapists throughout the US.
LifeStance Health is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are fully committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all our employees.
Our values:
Belonging: We cultivate a space where everyone can show up as their authentic self.
Empathy: We seek out diverse perspectives and listen to learn without judgment.
Courage: We are all accountable for doing the right thing - even when it's hard - because we know it's worth it.
One Team: We realize our full potential when we work together towards our shared purpose.
If you elect to interact with us via our website, please only use www.lifestance.com or www.careers.lifestance.com. Additionally, our recruiters utilize email addresses with the @lifestance.com domain. Other websites and domains are not affiliated with LifeStance Health and may represent threats to your data security.
LifeStance Health complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact our Human Resources Team at ADA@lifestance.com or by calling +1-800-308-0994.
Please note: This contact is intended solely for accommodation requests. Inquiries regarding applications, resumes and applicant status should not be sent to this email address as they will not be reviewed or responded to. To apply for a position, please use our official careers page.
At LifeStance Health, we believe in a truly healthy society where mental and physical healthcare are unified to make lives better. Our mission is to help people lead healthier, more fulfilling lives by improving access to trusted, affordable, and personalized mental healthcare. Everywhere. Every day. It’s a lofty goal; we know. But we make it happen with the best team in behavioral health.
Thank you for taking the time to explore a career with us. As the fastest growing behavioral health practice group in the country, now is the perfect time to join our clinical team!
We are actively looking to hire talented Licensed Psychologists in the area who are passionate about patient care and committed to clinical excellence.
We offer Psychologists:
- Competitive compensation package based on productivity with uncapped earning potential
- Average annual compensation: $111,000 to $129,000+
- W2 employed position with flexible hybrid work schedules
- Collaborative work environment with unmatched support
- Sign-on bonus!
- Care Access and Quality Incentive: Annual cash bonus program
- Comprehensive benefit package
- 401k with up to 4% match
- CEUs and Clinical Education Benefit
- Strong work/life balance
Psychologists are a critical part of our clinical team. We’re seeking Psychologists that are:
- Local to and fully licensed in South Carolina;
- PhD or PsyD in Clinical/Counseling Psychology or Neuropsychology;
- Experienced working with child, adolescent, and/or adult populations.
Location and Schedule:
- Conveniently located off of Nexton Pkwy and Brighton Park Blvd
- Start in fewer than 60 days
- Beautifully designed offices that are thoughtfully laid out
- Monday-Friday with evenings/weekends optional
- Flexible hybrid schedule (between office and home) to accommodate work/life balance
Apply now or contact me today!
Leah Sweeney
Director, Practice Development, South Carolina
LifeStance Health, Inc.
(e) Leah.Sweeney@LifeStance.com
About LifeStance Health
LifeStance is a national provider of mental healthcare services focused on evidenced-based, medically driven treatment services for children, adolescents and adults suffering from a variety of mental health issues in an outpatient care setting, both in-person at its clinics nationwide and through its digital health telemedicine offering. The company employs psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and licensed therapists throughout the US.
LifeStance Health is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are fully committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all our employees.
Our values:
Belonging: We cultivate a space where everyone can show up as their authentic self.
Empathy: We seek out diverse perspectives and listen to learn without judgment.
Courage: We are all accountable for doing the right thing - even when it's hard - because we know it's worth it.
One Team: We realize our full potential when we work together towards our shared purpose.
If you elect to interact with us via our website, please only use www.lifestance.com or www.careers.lifestance.com. Additionally, our recruiters utilize email addresses with the @lifestance.com domain. Other websites and domains are not affiliated with LifeStance Health and may represent threats to your data security.
LifeStance Health complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact our Human Resources Team at ADA@lifestance.com or by calling +1-800-308-0994.
Please note: This contact is intended solely for accommodation requests. Inquiries regarding applications, resumes and applicant status should not be sent to this email address as they will not be reviewed or responded to. To apply for a position, please use our official careers page.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Counseling Psychologist
Understand licensure requirements before applying
Most Counseling Psychologist positions require state licensure, which typically takes 1 to 2 years of supervised postdoctoral hours. Map your OPT timeline against each state's licensing requirements before targeting specific employers or clinical settings.
Target university counseling centers first
University counseling centers are among the most OPT-friendly employers for psychology graduates. They're familiar with international student work authorization, often have HR infrastructure for sponsorship, and frequently hire doctoral-level trainees transitioning from internship placements.
Clarify your degree level with employers upfront
Counseling Psychologist roles almost universally require a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.). Confirm your degree type matches the job's requirement before applying. Mismatched qualifications are among the most common reasons OPT candidates lose time in hiring processes.
Ask specifically about H-1B sponsorship during screening
Don't wait until an offer to raise sponsorship. Ask during the first HR call whether the employer has sponsored H-1B visas for psychology roles before. Employers with no sponsorship history are unlikely to start the process for a single hire.
Use your APA internship network strategically
Your APA-accredited internship site is your strongest professional network. Supervisors and training directors there often have direct hiring authority or referral connections at other institutions. Leverage those relationships before your OPT window closes.
Document your supervised hours precisely from day one
Postdoctoral supervision hours must be verified for licensure and often for employer records. Start tracking hours in a detailed log from your first OPT day. Gaps or imprecise records can delay licensure applications and complicate visa sponsorship timelines.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Counseling Psychologist on OPT without a license?
It depends on the role and state. Many employers hire postdoctoral psychology fellows or unlicensed psychologists under supervision, which can qualify as authorized OPT employment in your field of study. However, positions titled 'Licensed Psychologist' or 'Staff Psychologist' requiring independent practice typically require state licensure you may not yet hold. Review each job description's licensure requirement carefully before applying.
Does a Counseling Psychology degree qualify for STEM OPT extension?
No. Counseling Psychology programs are classified under CIP code 42.2803, which is not on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. That means your OPT authorization is limited to 12 months. Planning your licensure pathway and employer sponsorship timeline within that window is essential, since there's no extension available to fall back on.
Which employers are most likely to sponsor H-1B visas for Counseling Psychologists?
Large health systems, university counseling centers, VA medical centers, and federally qualified health centers have the strongest track records of H-1B sponsorship for doctoral-level psychologists. These organizations have established HR and legal infrastructure for immigration filings. Smaller private practices rarely sponsor. You can browse Counseling Psychologist roles at OPT-friendly employers directly on Migrate Mate.
How does postdoctoral supervision work for OPT students in psychology?
Postdoctoral supervision is a required licensure step across all states, typically involving 1 to 2 years of supervised practice under a licensed psychologist. On OPT, this supervised role counts as authorized employment as long as it's in your field of study and you're compensated. The key risk is timing: if your OPT expires before you complete supervision hours, you'll need H-1B sponsorship to continue.
What should I look for in a Counseling Psychologist job posting as an OPT student?
Look for three things: whether the role requires current state licensure or accepts postdoctoral candidates, whether the employer mentions visa sponsorship availability, and whether the position is full-time (part-time OPT employment must still relate to your field). Postdoctoral fellowship and psychology resident postings are often the most accessible entry points for OPT students who haven't yet obtained licensure.
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