OPT Mental Health Jobs
Mental health jobs on OPT span clinical, research, and community-based roles, from counseling assistants to behavioral health coordinators. Most positions require a degree in psychology, social work, or a related field. STEM OPT extension eligibility depends on your specific major, so confirm your DSO classification before applying.
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Get Access To All JobsLocation:
Sioux Center, IA
Worker Type:
Regular
Work Shift:
Day Shift (United States of America)
Discover a Career of Faith and Healing: For over 70 years, Sioux Center Health has served patients with Jesus’ healing ministry. With eight locations located in Sioux Center, Iowa and surrounding communities, we take great pride in providing superior care in our state-of-the-art facilities.
A Career that You Will Love: There’s no other way to say it: You will love working here. Between our strong mission and our great people, we have nurtured a pretty exceptional culture at Sioux Center Health.
A Chance to Make a Difference: Working with us means making a real difference in the lives of our community members. Your talents and your passions are truly appreciated here. In addition to the service we provide, Sioux Center Health also supports our community with sponsored programs and events, and other volunteer work. If this is your passion, you need to consider joining our team driven to provide quality care and services within a caring Christian culture.
Position Highlights
At Sioux Center Health, our people are the heart of everything we do. Guided by a strong mission and a commitment to exceptional care, we've built a stable, thriving organization where employees make a meaningful difference. Our dedication to excellence is reflected in the recognition we have earned. Sioux Center Health has been named a Top Workplace in Iowa, received Best of the Northwest honors in 13 categories—including Best Place to Work—and earned a Five-Star Patient Survey Rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). We have also been recognized as a Chartis Top 100 Critical Access Hospital and Top Hospital in Iowa. Our Care Center has received the LeadingAge Excellence in Workplace Award, reflecting our commitment to creating a positive environment for both residents and employees. Beyond our organization, you'll find an outstanding community to call home. Sioux County was ranked #4 in the nation among the Healthiest Communities by U.S. News & World Report and CVS Health, reflecting the high quality of life and strong community values that make this region a great place to live, work, and grow.
Summary
The Outpatient Therapist II is responsible to provide assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and crisis intervention of acute or chronic behavioral health patients. This position provides clinical consultation services and community education services.
General Hours of Work
Monday – Friday (with occasional evening and weekend involvement)
Education and/or Experience
Master’s degree required from accredited program. Four years related experience and/or training is preferred. Completion of clinical supervision hours and have passed clinical exam. Preferred candidates will have clinical experience facilitating group therapy sessions and providing individuals counseling services. Preferred candidates will also have experience working with clients having dual diagnoses issues (addictive disorders in conjunction with mental health conditions). Clinical experience with couples and/or family therapy is preferred. Bi-lingual experience preferred but not required.
Certificate, Licenses, Registrations
Iowa Professional License required; which is one of the following:
- Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW)
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
- Licensed Marital and Family Therapist (LMFT)
Essential Functions
- Coordinate a clinical treatment program for the diagnosis, treatment or referral of patients presenting with behavioral health conditions. Adhere to policies which assure the confidentiality of patient communications. Provide for a multi-disciplinary approach to the treatment of patients, coordinating same with appropriate departments.
- Conduct individual, family, or group therapy sessions and/or assessments in accordance with accepted principles. Coordinate care of patients with referring physician or agency. Document therapy in accordance with policies and procedures.
- Communicate with family members/significant others in order to further the effectiveness of client/patient treatment and progress.
- Provided educational programs on a variety of psychological topics to hospital/community groups as requested.
- Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Location:
Sioux Center, IA
Worker Type:
Regular
Work Shift:
Day Shift (United States of America)
Discover a Career of Faith and Healing: For over 70 years, Sioux Center Health has served patients with Jesus’ healing ministry. With eight locations located in Sioux Center, Iowa and surrounding communities, we take great pride in providing superior care in our state-of-the-art facilities.
A Career that You Will Love: There’s no other way to say it: You will love working here. Between our strong mission and our great people, we have nurtured a pretty exceptional culture at Sioux Center Health.
A Chance to Make a Difference: Working with us means making a real difference in the lives of our community members. Your talents and your passions are truly appreciated here. In addition to the service we provide, Sioux Center Health also supports our community with sponsored programs and events, and other volunteer work. If this is your passion, you need to consider joining our team driven to provide quality care and services within a caring Christian culture.
Position Highlights
At Sioux Center Health, our people are the heart of everything we do. Guided by a strong mission and a commitment to exceptional care, we've built a stable, thriving organization where employees make a meaningful difference. Our dedication to excellence is reflected in the recognition we have earned. Sioux Center Health has been named a Top Workplace in Iowa, received Best of the Northwest honors in 13 categories—including Best Place to Work—and earned a Five-Star Patient Survey Rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). We have also been recognized as a Chartis Top 100 Critical Access Hospital and Top Hospital in Iowa. Our Care Center has received the LeadingAge Excellence in Workplace Award, reflecting our commitment to creating a positive environment for both residents and employees. Beyond our organization, you'll find an outstanding community to call home. Sioux County was ranked #4 in the nation among the Healthiest Communities by U.S. News & World Report and CVS Health, reflecting the high quality of life and strong community values that make this region a great place to live, work, and grow.
Summary
The Outpatient Therapist II is responsible to provide assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and crisis intervention of acute or chronic behavioral health patients. This position provides clinical consultation services and community education services.
General Hours of Work
Monday – Friday (with occasional evening and weekend involvement)
Education and/or Experience
Master’s degree required from accredited program. Four years related experience and/or training is preferred. Completion of clinical supervision hours and have passed clinical exam. Preferred candidates will have clinical experience facilitating group therapy sessions and providing individuals counseling services. Preferred candidates will also have experience working with clients having dual diagnoses issues (addictive disorders in conjunction with mental health conditions). Clinical experience with couples and/or family therapy is preferred. Bi-lingual experience preferred but not required.
Certificate, Licenses, Registrations
Iowa Professional License required; which is one of the following:
- Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW)
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
- Licensed Marital and Family Therapist (LMFT)
Essential Functions
- Coordinate a clinical treatment program for the diagnosis, treatment or referral of patients presenting with behavioral health conditions. Adhere to policies which assure the confidentiality of patient communications. Provide for a multi-disciplinary approach to the treatment of patients, coordinating same with appropriate departments.
- Conduct individual, family, or group therapy sessions and/or assessments in accordance with accepted principles. Coordinate care of patients with referring physician or agency. Document therapy in accordance with policies and procedures.
- Communicate with family members/significant others in order to further the effectiveness of client/patient treatment and progress.
- Provided educational programs on a variety of psychological topics to hospital/community groups as requested.
- Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
See all 6,781+ OPT Mental Health Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Mental Health
Clarify your OPT end date upfront
Mental health employers often run slow hiring cycles. Know your exact OPT expiration date before applying and communicate your timeline early. Roles that require licensure can take months to finalize, so lead time matters more than in other fields.
Check STEM OPT eligibility by major
Not all mental health degrees qualify for the 24-month STEM extension. Psychology and neuroscience may qualify depending on your CIP code, but social work typically does not. Confirm your eligibility with your DSO before framing it as a selling point.
Target roles that don't require state licensure
Licensed counselor and therapist roles often require state licensure, which takes time and restricts where you can work. Behavioral health technician, research coordinator, and case manager roles carry fewer licensing barriers and are more accessible on OPT status.
Prioritize employers familiar with OPT sponsorship
Large health systems, university counseling centers, and nonprofit behavioral health organizations have HR infrastructure to handle OPT and H-1B visa sponsorship. Smaller private practices often lack this capacity, making them higher-risk placements for international students.
Leverage your practicum or internship experience
Clinical hours from practicum or CPT placements are directly relevant to mental health hiring. Frame supervised experience explicitly in your resume. Employers in this field weight hands-on hours heavily, and your OPT authorization lets you continue building them.
Address H-1B sponsorship timing in your outreach
If your OPT expires before an H-1B petition can be filed, an employer needs to act before April 1 of the relevant fiscal year. Be direct about this timeline when discussing sponsorship so hiring managers understand what commitment they're making.
Mental Health OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a mental health counselor or therapist on OPT?
You can work in mental health on OPT, but clinical titles like licensed counselor or therapist require a state license that most F-1 students haven't yet obtained. Roles like behavioral health technician, mental health case manager, or research coordinator are more accessible on OPT and don't require independent licensure to start.
Do mental health jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree's CIP code. Psychology and neuroscience programs are sometimes classified under STEM-eligible codes, but social work and counseling programs typically are not. Check your official transcript and confirm with your DSO before assuming eligibility. The extension gives you 24 additional months, so verifying early is worth it.
Where can I find mental health employers who sponsor OPT and H-1B?
Migrate Mate is the best place to find mental health jobs where employers are open to OPT and visa sponsorship. Larger health systems, federally qualified health centers, and university-affiliated programs are generally the most sponsorship-friendly. Searching Migrate Mate filters out roles unlikely to support international candidates, saving you time during a tight OPT window.
How does supervised clinical experience during OPT count toward licensure?
Hours worked under supervision during OPT typically count toward your state's licensure requirements, but rules vary by state and license type. Some states require supervisors to hold specific credentials, and the setting matters. Confirm with your state licensing board early so your OPT work directly advances your licensure application rather than requiring a restart.
What happens to my OPT if my mental health job ends before I find a new role?
F-1 OPT allows up to 90 days of unemployment in total. If your mental health position ends, you have time to find a new role, but the clock runs continuously. Report any employment changes to your DSO immediately and keep your SEVP portal updated. Finding a new role quickly is critical to staying in valid OPT status.