OPT Licensed Professional Counselor Jobs
Licensed Professional Counselor jobs on OPT require active state licensure, which typically takes 2 to 3 years of supervised post-graduation hours. Most employers sponsor H-1B visa or O-1 visas for licensed candidates. Your F-1 OPT authorization covers full-time counseling roles in clinical, school, or community settings.
Find OPT Licensed Professional Counselor JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 195+ Licensed Professional Counselor jobs
See all 195+ Licensed Professional Counselor Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Licensed Professional Counselor roles.
Get Access To All JobsLicensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
About Breakthrough
Breakthrough is a behavioral health organization providing compassionate, community-based mental health services to individuals and families across Texas. We are building a clinical team that leads with purpose — and we're looking for licensed counselors who want to do meaningful work in a compliant, well-supported environment.
The Role
As an LPC at Breakthrough, you will provide direct counseling services — individual, group, and family — and play an active role in treatment planning, crisis response, and coordinated care. Whether you hold a full LPC or are an LPC-Associate building toward full licensure, we have a place for you.
Full LPC: You'll function at the LPHA level — independently diagnosing, signing treatment plans, and leading your own caseload. LPC-Supervisors may also provide board-approved supervision to Associates on our team.
LPC-Associate: You'll provide direct services under a board-approved supervision plan with a qualifying LPC-Supervisor. All diagnosis and treatment plan sign-offs will be co-signed by a supervising LPHA.
- Provide individual, group, and family counseling using evidence-based approaches (CBT, MI, trauma-informed care, etc.)
- Conduct clinical assessments and contribute to treatment planning
- Respond to crisis situations and coordinate appropriate care
- Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team including psychiatry, peer support, and case management
- Complete clinical documentation accurately and on time
- Deliver services in-person or via telehealth depending on program assignment
What You Bring
Required — Full LPC:
- Active, unencumbered Texas LPC license (BHEC)
- Master's or doctoral degree in counseling or related field
- 2+ years of post-licensure behavioral health experience
- Familiarity with DSM diagnostic criteria
Required — LPC-Associate:
- Active, unencumbered Texas LPC-Associate license (BHEC)
- Master's or doctoral degree in counseling or related field
- Board-approved supervision plan ready to activate at hire
Both:
- Ability to pass required background and registry checks
- Strong documentation skills and ability to meet deadlines
Nice to Have
- LPC-Supervisor designation
- Experience in community mental health, LMHA, or MCO-contracted settings
- Bilingual (English/Spanish)
- Telehealth and EHR experience
- Training in DBT, trauma-focused CBT, or other specialty modalities
Pay: $35.00 - $45.00 per hour
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Houston, TX 77035
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
About Breakthrough
Breakthrough is a behavioral health organization providing compassionate, community-based mental health services to individuals and families across Texas. We are building a clinical team that leads with purpose — and we're looking for licensed counselors who want to do meaningful work in a compliant, well-supported environment.
The Role
As an LPC at Breakthrough, you will provide direct counseling services — individual, group, and family — and play an active role in treatment planning, crisis response, and coordinated care. Whether you hold a full LPC or are an LPC-Associate building toward full licensure, we have a place for you.
Full LPC: You'll function at the LPHA level — independently diagnosing, signing treatment plans, and leading your own caseload. LPC-Supervisors may also provide board-approved supervision to Associates on our team.
LPC-Associate: You'll provide direct services under a board-approved supervision plan with a qualifying LPC-Supervisor. All diagnosis and treatment plan sign-offs will be co-signed by a supervising LPHA.
- Provide individual, group, and family counseling using evidence-based approaches (CBT, MI, trauma-informed care, etc.)
- Conduct clinical assessments and contribute to treatment planning
- Respond to crisis situations and coordinate appropriate care
- Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team including psychiatry, peer support, and case management
- Complete clinical documentation accurately and on time
- Deliver services in-person or via telehealth depending on program assignment
What You Bring
Required — Full LPC:
- Active, unencumbered Texas LPC license (BHEC)
- Master's or doctoral degree in counseling or related field
- 2+ years of post-licensure behavioral health experience
- Familiarity with DSM diagnostic criteria
Required — LPC-Associate:
- Active, unencumbered Texas LPC-Associate license (BHEC)
- Master's or doctoral degree in counseling or related field
- Board-approved supervision plan ready to activate at hire
Both:
- Ability to pass required background and registry checks
- Strong documentation skills and ability to meet deadlines
Nice to Have
- LPC-Supervisor designation
- Experience in community mental health, LMHA, or MCO-contracted settings
- Bilingual (English/Spanish)
- Telehealth and EHR experience
- Training in DBT, trauma-focused CBT, or other specialty modalities
Pay: $35.00 - $45.00 per hour
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Houston, TX 77035
See all 195+ OPT Licensed Professional Counselor Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Licensed Professional Counselor Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Licensed Professional Counselor
Prioritize licensure before your OPT clock runs out
Many states require 2,000 to 4,000 supervised hours for LPC licensure. Start your provisional or associate license application immediately after graduation so you're fully licensed before employers need to begin visa sponsorship conversations.
Target employers with a track record of sponsoring counselors
Large hospital systems, university counseling centers, and federally funded community mental health centers have established HR processes for work authorization. Smaller private practices rarely have immigration infrastructure in place to support sponsorship.
Frame your STEM degree advantage if applicable
If your counseling program is STEM-designated, you qualify for 36 months of OPT instead of 12. Confirm your program's CIP code with your DSO and lead with this in employer conversations. It significantly reduces urgency around the sponsorship timeline.
Address your work authorization proactively during interviews
Don't wait for employers to raise the visa question. State your OPT authorization period clearly, mention H-1B visa eligibility, and explain what sponsorship actually requires from them. Informed employers are far more likely to engage seriously with the process.
Research state licensure reciprocity before targeting roles
LPC licenses don't transfer automatically across state lines. If you're considering relocating for a sponsored role, confirm the new state accepts reciprocity or endorsement from your licensing state. Relicensing delays can complicate visa petition timelines significantly.
Connect with professional associations that support international counselors
Organizations like the American Counseling Association maintain active professional networks. Many employer contacts at counseling centers and health systems come through these channels, where your credentials and OPT status are already understood in context by hiring managers.
Licensed Professional Counselor OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Licensed Professional Counselor on F-1 OPT?
Yes, F-1 OPT authorizes full-time employment in roles directly related to your degree field. For counseling graduates, this includes clinical counselor, mental health counselor, and therapist positions. Your work must be in a counseling-related capacity, not a general administrative or unrelated support role, to remain compliant with OPT employment requirements.
Do Licensed Professional Counselor jobs typically offer H-1B visa sponsorship?
Sponsorship availability varies significantly by employer type. Large healthcare systems, university counseling centers, Veterans Affairs facilities, and federally qualified health centers sponsor H-1B visas more regularly than private practices. The H-1B specialty occupation standard is generally met for LPC roles requiring a master's degree in counseling or a closely related field.
How does state licensure affect my OPT employment options as a counselor?
Most employers require at minimum a provisional or associate license before hiring. Without it, you can't legally provide counseling services in most states. Since OPT is time-limited, prioritizing your supervised hours and licensure application immediately after graduation is critical. Some states offer temporary licenses for new graduates that allow you to begin accruing hours while your application is pending.
Where can I find Licensed Professional Counselor jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate lists counseling and mental health roles from employers familiar with sponsoring international candidates on OPT. Filtering by role type and sponsorship history helps you avoid applying to positions where OPT authorization will be an immediate barrier. Start your search on Migrate Mate to focus your time on employers already equipped to hire you.
Does a STEM OPT extension apply to Licensed Professional Counselor programs?
It depends on your specific program's CIP code classification. Most traditional counseling programs are not STEM-designated, which means standard 12-month OPT applies. However, some counseling programs with a research or quantitative focus have received STEM designation. Confirm your program's status with your designated school official before relying on a 36-month OPT timeline in your job search planning.