OPT Family Counselor Jobs
Family Counselor roles on OPT require state licensure, which adds a layer of complexity most students don't anticipate. Your OPT clock starts the day you begin work, so timing your licensure applications alongside your EAD filing is critical. Many employers in community health and nonprofit settings have sponsored OPT students before.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Centerstone is among the nation’s leading nonprofit behavioral health systems with thousands of employees dedicated to delivering care that changes people’s lives. A dynamic, well-established organization, we offer rewarding opportunities to serve all ages in a variety of settings. Come talk to us about joining the Centerstone team!
SUMMARY OF POSITION
Provides therapeutic interventions to promote personal growth and resiliency in the form of emotional, cognitive, behavioral and/or psychological changes in clients with a primary behavioral health diagnosis. Performs continuing assessment of the client’s needs and functioning, maintenance of appropriate documentation and development, and implementation of personal growth plans consistent with the client’s therapeutic needs.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provides community-based services utilizing evidence-based methodologies to provide excellent clinical services. Prepares for and conducts individual, group, and family mental health services for assigned caseload. Assists client in developing an individualized service plan, must be person centered, family centered, and service centered. Monitors client progress in treatment and participates in service plan reviews as assigned. Updates service plans as appropriate.
- Submits service plans at all stages for medical review, if applicable. Conducts intake for client entering services, including explaining services, gathering information needed on intake materials, ensuring client understands all forms, assuring signature on appropriate contracts and consents, and submitting materials for processing, as assigned. Conducts assessment and writes assessment summaries, as assigned. Assists clients with making linkage with internal and external resources as outlined in service plan and in coordination with Integrated Healthcare Services. Maintains appropriate contact with referral sources including providing information on client progress, behavior, and needs (with appropriate releases), and maintaining ongoing consultation when appropriate.
- Assists client in making discharge plans and provide follow up services as assigned. Demonstrates commitment to all assigned clients and families at various stages of change by using motivational interviewing and outreaching clients who have disengaged from services. Provides assertive outreach, advocacy and follow-up to assigned clients. For disengaged clients and families, a minimum of 2 attempted phone outreaches, 1 attempted home visit outreach and 1 letter of interest are completed and documented in the Electronic Health Record. Ensures services provided are driven by client personal growth goals.
- Links all clinical documentation to identified personal growth goals and objectives as indicated on the individual service plan. Ensures documentation of Progress Contact Note (PCN) activities reflect personal growth plan objectives and demonstrate medical necessity. Utilizes PCN completion as a personal growth tool to celebrate client successes and identify growth areas by completing progress notes concurrently with clients. Completes and submits all required clinical documentation within established timeframes (generally within 24 hours of service provision). To ensure a complete clinical record, completes Progress Contact Notes for all contacts, canceled/failed appointments and attempted contacts with clients and collaterals within established timeframes.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Effectively communicate via written, verbal, in person and virtual methods.
- Knowledge of appropriate billing codes.
- Knowledge of community geographical awareness and of community and agency resources.
- Skill in interviewing, assessment, and counseling.
- Skill in customer service techniques.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education Level
Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology or other human service related field required.
Years of Experience
Experience providing counseling and mental health services with children and adolescents preferred.
Certification/Licensure
Must meet Qualified Mental Health Professional status in relevant programs.
Physical Requirements
Task Percentage of Time/Frequency
Standing - 20%
Sitting - 80%
Squatting - occasional
Driving - occasional
Kneeling - occasional
Lifting - occasional
Bending - occasional
Time Type:
Full time
Pay Range:
$48,300.00-$67,700.00
Delivering care that changes people's lives starts with our employees. Below are just some of the great benefits Centerstone employees enjoy:
- Medical, dental, and vision health coverage
- Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
- 403b retirement plan with company match
- Paid time off and ten paid holidays
- AD&D Insurance, Life Insurance, and Long Term Disability (company paid)
- Employee Resource Groups
- Continuing education opportunities
- Employee Assistance Program
Centerstone is an equal opportunity employer. Employment at Centerstone is based solely on a person's merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. We treat all clients and colleagues with dignity and respect.
At Centerstone, we use our values as a guide for what we do. Respect, Expertise, Integrity and Empowerment are at the heart of every interaction at Centerstone, and particularly rooted in our Culture.
Our approach to culture is to create an environment that encourages, supports and celebrates the voices and experiences of our employees. We are committed to a culture of empowerment, respect, integrity and expertise that powers our innovation and connects us to each other, our clients and the communities we serve.
Centerstone is also committed to a strong culture of quality and safety, celebrating role-models who champion best practices for quality, clinical risk, and patient safety.
INTRODUCTION
Centerstone is among the nation’s leading nonprofit behavioral health systems with thousands of employees dedicated to delivering care that changes people’s lives. A dynamic, well-established organization, we offer rewarding opportunities to serve all ages in a variety of settings. Come talk to us about joining the Centerstone team!
SUMMARY OF POSITION
Provides therapeutic interventions to promote personal growth and resiliency in the form of emotional, cognitive, behavioral and/or psychological changes in clients with a primary behavioral health diagnosis. Performs continuing assessment of the client’s needs and functioning, maintenance of appropriate documentation and development, and implementation of personal growth plans consistent with the client’s therapeutic needs.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provides community-based services utilizing evidence-based methodologies to provide excellent clinical services. Prepares for and conducts individual, group, and family mental health services for assigned caseload. Assists client in developing an individualized service plan, must be person centered, family centered, and service centered. Monitors client progress in treatment and participates in service plan reviews as assigned. Updates service plans as appropriate.
- Submits service plans at all stages for medical review, if applicable. Conducts intake for client entering services, including explaining services, gathering information needed on intake materials, ensuring client understands all forms, assuring signature on appropriate contracts and consents, and submitting materials for processing, as assigned. Conducts assessment and writes assessment summaries, as assigned. Assists clients with making linkage with internal and external resources as outlined in service plan and in coordination with Integrated Healthcare Services. Maintains appropriate contact with referral sources including providing information on client progress, behavior, and needs (with appropriate releases), and maintaining ongoing consultation when appropriate.
- Assists client in making discharge plans and provide follow up services as assigned. Demonstrates commitment to all assigned clients and families at various stages of change by using motivational interviewing and outreaching clients who have disengaged from services. Provides assertive outreach, advocacy and follow-up to assigned clients. For disengaged clients and families, a minimum of 2 attempted phone outreaches, 1 attempted home visit outreach and 1 letter of interest are completed and documented in the Electronic Health Record. Ensures services provided are driven by client personal growth goals.
- Links all clinical documentation to identified personal growth goals and objectives as indicated on the individual service plan. Ensures documentation of Progress Contact Note (PCN) activities reflect personal growth plan objectives and demonstrate medical necessity. Utilizes PCN completion as a personal growth tool to celebrate client successes and identify growth areas by completing progress notes concurrently with clients. Completes and submits all required clinical documentation within established timeframes (generally within 24 hours of service provision). To ensure a complete clinical record, completes Progress Contact Notes for all contacts, canceled/failed appointments and attempted contacts with clients and collaterals within established timeframes.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Effectively communicate via written, verbal, in person and virtual methods.
- Knowledge of appropriate billing codes.
- Knowledge of community geographical awareness and of community and agency resources.
- Skill in interviewing, assessment, and counseling.
- Skill in customer service techniques.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education Level
Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology or other human service related field required.
Years of Experience
Experience providing counseling and mental health services with children and adolescents preferred.
Certification/Licensure
Must meet Qualified Mental Health Professional status in relevant programs.
Physical Requirements
Task Percentage of Time/Frequency
Standing - 20%
Sitting - 80%
Squatting - occasional
Driving - occasional
Kneeling - occasional
Lifting - occasional
Bending - occasional
Time Type:
Full time
Pay Range:
$48,300.00-$67,700.00
Delivering care that changes people's lives starts with our employees. Below are just some of the great benefits Centerstone employees enjoy:
- Medical, dental, and vision health coverage
- Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
- 403b retirement plan with company match
- Paid time off and ten paid holidays
- AD&D Insurance, Life Insurance, and Long Term Disability (company paid)
- Employee Resource Groups
- Continuing education opportunities
- Employee Assistance Program
Centerstone is an equal opportunity employer. Employment at Centerstone is based solely on a person's merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. We treat all clients and colleagues with dignity and respect.
At Centerstone, we use our values as a guide for what we do. Respect, Expertise, Integrity and Empowerment are at the heart of every interaction at Centerstone, and particularly rooted in our Culture.
Our approach to culture is to create an environment that encourages, supports and celebrates the voices and experiences of our employees. We are committed to a culture of empowerment, respect, integrity and expertise that powers our innovation and connects us to each other, our clients and the communities we serve.
Centerstone is also committed to a strong culture of quality and safety, celebrating role-models who champion best practices for quality, clinical risk, and patient safety.
See all 37+ OPT Family Counselor Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Family Counselor
Start your state licensure process early
Most states require supervised hours and a licensing exam before you can practice independently. Begin your application before OPT starts. Delays in licensure approval can leave you authorized to work but unable to practice, wasting precious OPT time.
Target employers familiar with provisional licensure
Community mental health centers, nonprofits, and federally qualified health centers regularly hire associate-level counselors under supervision. These employers understand that new graduates need supervised hours to complete licensure and are more likely to support OPT students.
Clarify your supervision requirements upfront
Most states require 2,000 to 4,000 supervised hours post-graduation. Ask prospective employers about their licensed supervisor availability before accepting an offer. An employer without a qualified supervisor on staff cannot fulfill your licensure requirements.
Connect your degree field to your job title
Your OPT must be directly related to your degree. A degree in Marriage and Family Therapy supports Family Counselor roles clearly. If your degree is in a broader field like Psychology, document the coursework and clinical training that directly aligns with the position.
Apply for STEM OPT extension if your program qualifies
Some counseling-adjacent programs in social and behavioral sciences may qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm with your DSO whether your program's CIP code qualifies. A STEM extension gives you significantly more time to complete licensure and secure H-1B visa sponsorship.
Prepare documentation of your clinical training
Employers often want evidence that your practicum and internship hours are legitimate. Have your university supervisor provide a letter detailing hours completed, populations served, and theoretical frameworks used. This strengthens both your job application and any future visa sponsorship petition.
Family Counselor OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Family Counselor on OPT without a state license?
Yes, in most states you can work under supervision as an associate or intern counselor while completing your licensure hours. Your job title and duties must still align with your degree field for OPT compliance. Make sure your employer has a licensed supervisor on staff who meets your state's requirements for post-graduate supervision.
Do Family Counselor employers typically sponsor OPT students?
Community mental health agencies, nonprofits, school districts, and federally qualified health centers are the most OPT-friendly employers in this field. Private practices are less likely to sponsor because of their smaller size. Searching Migrate Mate filters for employers who have actively hired OPT students in counseling roles, which saves significant research time.
Does a Family Counselor role qualify for H-1B sponsorship after OPT?
Family Counselor positions generally qualify as specialty occupations because they require at minimum a bachelor's degree in a specific field such as counseling, psychology, or social work. Roles requiring state licensure strengthen the specialty occupation argument. Employers in healthcare systems and large nonprofits are more likely to file H-1B petitions than smaller private employers.
How does state licensing affect my OPT authorization?
OPT authorization is granted by USCIS based on your degree field alignment, not your licensure status. You can be authorized to work on OPT before you hold a full license. However, practicing without the required state credential is a legal violation separate from your immigration status, so you must work within the scope your state license level permits.
What counts as a qualifying Family Counselor job for OPT purposes?
The position must be directly related to your degree and require at least 20 hours of work per week. Roles in marriage and family therapy, child and adolescent counseling, substance abuse counseling, and school counseling all qualify if your degree field aligns. Volunteer positions and unpaid internships also count toward OPT, provided the hours threshold is met.