Mental Health Jobs for OPT Students
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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Evaluates and treats patients with mental health and substance abuse disorders. Evaluates patients using appropriate DSM IV criteria. Treats patients using a variety of brief psychotherapy techniques where indicated, including crisis intervention, cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, family, marital and supportive approaches. This position works primarily in the primary care clinic as a regular team member and provides brief assessment, intervention and onsite consultation to the primary care team regarding psychiatric/psychosocial concerns and health behavior change. The Behavioral Health Specialist works with individuals, groups, and families, providing evidence-based behavioral interventions.
Providence caregivers are not simply valued – they’re invaluable. Join our team at Providence Medical Foundation and thrive in our culture of patient-focused, whole-person care built on understanding, commitment, and mutual respect. Your voice matters here, because we know that to inspire and retain the best people, we must empower them.
Required qualifications:
- Maintains Clinical Education requirements to maintain licensure.
Preferred qualifications:
- Licensed in the State of California to practice independently as a Psychologist (PhD or PsyD), Social Work (LCSW), Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or Mental Health Counselor (LPCC) upon hire
- At least two years of clinical experience in the provision of behavioral health services to a wide range of patients, with some experience in integrated behavioral health services settings. A preferred skill is providing clinical services in Spanish to meet the needs of the local community.
Why Join Providence?
Our best-in-class benefits are uniquely designed to support you and your family in staying well, growing professionally, and achieving financial security. We take care of you, so you can focus on delivering our Mission of caring for everyone, especially the most vulnerable in our communities.
About Providence
At Providence, our strength lies in Our Promise of “Know me, care for me, ease my way.” Working at our family of organizations means that regardless of your role, we’ll walk alongside you in your career, supporting you so you can support others. We provide best-in-class benefits and we foster an inclusive workplace where diversity is valued, and everyone is essential, heard and respected. Together, our 120,000 caregivers (all employees) serve in over 50 hospitals, over 1,000 clinics and a full range of health and social services across Alaska, California, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas and Washington. As a comprehensive health care organization, we are serving more people, advancing best practices and continuing our more than 100-year tradition of serving the poor and vulnerable.
Posted are the minimum and the maximum wage rates on the wage range for this position. The successful candidate's placement on the wage range for this position will be determined based upon relevant job experience and other applicable factors. These amounts are the base pay range; additional compensation may be available for this role, such as shift differentials, standby/on-call, overtime, premiums, extra shift incentives, or bonus opportunities.
Providence offers a comprehensive benefits package including a retirement 401(k) Savings Plan with employer matching, health care benefits (medical, dental, vision), life insurance, disability insurance, time off benefits (paid parental leave, vacations, holidays, health issues), voluntary benefits, well-being resources and much more. Learn more at providence.jobs/benefits.
Applicants in the Unincorporated County of Los Angeles: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Unincorporated Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
About the Team
Providence Clinical Network (PCN) is a service line within Providence serving patients across seven states with quality, compassionate, coordinated care. Collectively, our medical groups and affiliate practices are the third largest group in the country with over 11,000 providers, 900 clinics and 30,000 caregivers.
PCN is comprised of Providence Medical Group in Alaska, Washington, Montana and Oregon; Swedish Medical Group in Washington’s greater Puget Sound area, Pacific Medical Centers in western Washington; Kadlec in southeast Washington; Providence’s St. John’s Medical Foundation in Southern California; Providence Medical Institute in Southern California; Providence Facey Medical Foundation in Southern California; Providence Medical Foundation in Northern and Southern California; and Covenant Medical Group and Covenant Health Partners in west Texas and eastern New Mexico.
Providence is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to the principle that every workforce member has the right to work in surroundings that are free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, gender, disability, veteran, military status, religion, age, creed, national origin, sexual identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. We believe diversity makes us stronger, so we are dedicated to shaping an inclusive workforce, learning from each other, and creating equal opportunities for advancement.
Requisition ID: 422914
Company: Providence Jobs
Job Category: Behavioral Health
Job Function: Clinical Care
Job Schedule: Full time
Job Shift: Day
Career Track: Clinical Professional
Department: 7520 PEDIATRIC CA DOYLE PARK
Address: CA Santa Rosa 500 Doyle Park Dr
Work Location: St Joseph Heritage-Pediatrics-Doyle Park
Workplace Type: On-site
Pay Range: $44.26 - $68.71
The amounts listed are the base pay range; additional compensation may be available for this role, such as shift differentials, standby/on-call, overtime, premiums, extra shift incentives, or bonus opportunities.
Description
Evaluates and treats patients with mental health and substance abuse disorders. Evaluates patients using appropriate DSM IV criteria. Treats patients using a variety of brief psychotherapy techniques where indicated, including crisis intervention, cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, family, marital and supportive approaches. This position works primarily in the primary care clinic as a regular team member and provides brief assessment, intervention and onsite consultation to the primary care team regarding psychiatric/psychosocial concerns and health behavior change. The Behavioral Health Specialist works with individuals, groups, and families, providing evidence-based behavioral interventions.
Providence caregivers are not simply valued – they’re invaluable. Join our team at Providence Medical Foundation and thrive in our culture of patient-focused, whole-person care built on understanding, commitment, and mutual respect. Your voice matters here, because we know that to inspire and retain the best people, we must empower them.
Required qualifications:
- Maintains Clinical Education requirements to maintain licensure.
Preferred qualifications:
- Licensed in the State of California to practice independently as a Psychologist (PhD or PsyD), Social Work (LCSW), Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or Mental Health Counselor (LPCC) upon hire
- At least two years of clinical experience in the provision of behavioral health services to a wide range of patients, with some experience in integrated behavioral health services settings. A preferred skill is providing clinical services in Spanish to meet the needs of the local community.
Why Join Providence?
Our best-in-class benefits are uniquely designed to support you and your family in staying well, growing professionally, and achieving financial security. We take care of you, so you can focus on delivering our Mission of caring for everyone, especially the most vulnerable in our communities.
About Providence
At Providence, our strength lies in Our Promise of “Know me, care for me, ease my way.” Working at our family of organizations means that regardless of your role, we’ll walk alongside you in your career, supporting you so you can support others. We provide best-in-class benefits and we foster an inclusive workplace where diversity is valued, and everyone is essential, heard and respected. Together, our 120,000 caregivers (all employees) serve in over 50 hospitals, over 1,000 clinics and a full range of health and social services across Alaska, California, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas and Washington. As a comprehensive health care organization, we are serving more people, advancing best practices and continuing our more than 100-year tradition of serving the poor and vulnerable.
Posted are the minimum and the maximum wage rates on the wage range for this position. The successful candidate's placement on the wage range for this position will be determined based upon relevant job experience and other applicable factors. These amounts are the base pay range; additional compensation may be available for this role, such as shift differentials, standby/on-call, overtime, premiums, extra shift incentives, or bonus opportunities.
Providence offers a comprehensive benefits package including a retirement 401(k) Savings Plan with employer matching, health care benefits (medical, dental, vision), life insurance, disability insurance, time off benefits (paid parental leave, vacations, holidays, health issues), voluntary benefits, well-being resources and much more. Learn more at providence.jobs/benefits.
Applicants in the Unincorporated County of Los Angeles: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Unincorporated Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
About the Team
Providence Clinical Network (PCN) is a service line within Providence serving patients across seven states with quality, compassionate, coordinated care. Collectively, our medical groups and affiliate practices are the third largest group in the country with over 11,000 providers, 900 clinics and 30,000 caregivers.
PCN is comprised of Providence Medical Group in Alaska, Washington, Montana and Oregon; Swedish Medical Group in Washington’s greater Puget Sound area, Pacific Medical Centers in western Washington; Kadlec in southeast Washington; Providence’s St. John’s Medical Foundation in Southern California; Providence Medical Institute in Southern California; Providence Facey Medical Foundation in Southern California; Providence Medical Foundation in Northern and Southern California; and Covenant Medical Group and Covenant Health Partners in west Texas and eastern New Mexico.
Providence is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to the principle that every workforce member has the right to work in surroundings that are free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, gender, disability, veteran, military status, religion, age, creed, national origin, sexual identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. We believe diversity makes us stronger, so we are dedicated to shaping an inclusive workforce, learning from each other, and creating equal opportunities for advancement.
Requisition ID: 422914
Company: Providence Jobs
Job Category: Behavioral Health
Job Function: Clinical Care
Job Schedule: Full time
Job Shift: Day
Career Track: Clinical Professional
Department: 7520 PEDIATRIC CA DOYLE PARK
Address: CA Santa Rosa 500 Doyle Park Dr
Work Location: St Joseph Heritage-Pediatrics-Doyle Park
Workplace Type: On-site
Pay Range: $44.26 - $68.71
The amounts listed are the base pay range; additional compensation may be available for this role, such as shift differentials, standby/on-call, overtime, premiums, extra shift incentives, or bonus opportunities.
How to Get Visa 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 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.
Mental Health jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently 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.
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