Mental Health Clinician Jobs for OPT Students
Mental Health Clinician roles on OPT require active licensure or supervised licensure eligibility in your state, which affects how quickly you can start practicing. Many employers sponsor H-1B or offer STEM OPT extensions for qualifying clinical roles. Cap-gap coverage applies if your H-1B is pending when OPT expires.
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AHRC New York City is a family governed organization that envisions a socially just world where the power of difference is embraced. We advocate for people who are neuro-diverse to lead full and equitable lives. Generosity guides us as we honor our legacy and continuously grow through a culture where curiosity, creativity, and optimism are valued and celebrated.
Job Description
AHRC New York City is seeking a Fee-for-Service clinician for their Department of Family and Clinical Services. The Department of Family and Clinical Services operates two primary outpatient clinics, one in Manhattan and one in the Bronx, which provides services at satellite locations and telehealth within the five boroughs. Our team is comprised of psychologists, social workers, and rehab services professionals all who have a passion for their work.
Under the supervision of a Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Doctoral-Level Licensed Psychologist, the Fee-for-Service clinician will provide psychotherapy for persons with Developmental Disabilities who have a co-occurring psychiatric condition. Psychotherapy treatment is conducted with diverse clients across their lifespans, including children/adolescents, adults, families, and groups. Collateral counseling is provided for their families. Behavioral, CBT, Psychodynamic, Systemic, and DBT techniques are used.
Pay Rate: $35-$40 Per Session
Schedule: hours are highly flexible (daytime, evening, and weekends available)
In-person and Telehealth options are available.
Location is flexible (within the five boroughs).
Qualifications
- Graduate Degree in Social Work, Clinical, Counseling, or School Psychology (LMSW, LCSW, MA, PsyD, PhD)
- License required unless currently working in an Article 16 clinic
- Experience in providing psychotherapy to treat DSM-V diagnoses
- Ability to coordinate treatment with other team members
- Ability to work independently under supervision
- Excellent communication and clinical writing skills
- Good time management skills
- Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC) ARE NOT QUALIFIED FOR THIS POSITION!
AHRC New York City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, gender, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, marital status, partnership status, military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking, genetic information, or unemployment or any other protected characteristic under federal, state or local law.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Company Description
AHRC New York City is a family governed organization that envisions a socially just world where the power of difference is embraced. We advocate for people who are neuro-diverse to lead full and equitable lives. Generosity guides us as we honor our legacy and continuously grow through a culture where curiosity, creativity, and optimism are valued and celebrated.
Job Description
AHRC New York City is seeking a Fee-for-Service clinician for their Department of Family and Clinical Services. The Department of Family and Clinical Services operates two primary outpatient clinics, one in Manhattan and one in the Bronx, which provides services at satellite locations and telehealth within the five boroughs. Our team is comprised of psychologists, social workers, and rehab services professionals all who have a passion for their work.
Under the supervision of a Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Doctoral-Level Licensed Psychologist, the Fee-for-Service clinician will provide psychotherapy for persons with Developmental Disabilities who have a co-occurring psychiatric condition. Psychotherapy treatment is conducted with diverse clients across their lifespans, including children/adolescents, adults, families, and groups. Collateral counseling is provided for their families. Behavioral, CBT, Psychodynamic, Systemic, and DBT techniques are used.
Pay Rate: $35-$40 Per Session
Schedule: hours are highly flexible (daytime, evening, and weekends available)
In-person and Telehealth options are available.
Location is flexible (within the five boroughs).
Qualifications
- Graduate Degree in Social Work, Clinical, Counseling, or School Psychology (LMSW, LCSW, MA, PsyD, PhD)
- License required unless currently working in an Article 16 clinic
- Experience in providing psychotherapy to treat DSM-V diagnoses
- Ability to coordinate treatment with other team members
- Ability to work independently under supervision
- Excellent communication and clinical writing skills
- Good time management skills
- Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC) ARE NOT QUALIFIED FOR THIS POSITION!
AHRC New York City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, gender, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, marital status, partnership status, military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking, genetic information, or unemployment or any other protected characteristic under federal, state or local law.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Mental Health Clinician
Confirm your licensure status before applying
Many states require a full license before you can practice independently. Check whether your OPT start date aligns with your supervised hours timeline, since unlicensed candidates may face delays getting hired into billable clinical roles.
Target employers who already sponsor clinicians
Community mental health centers, hospital systems, and behavioral health networks have established HR processes for H-1B sponsorship. Avoid smaller private practices that lack the infrastructure to file immigration petitions on your behalf.
Understand whether your degree qualifies for STEM OPT
Mental health degrees are generally not on the STEM designated program list, giving you 12 months of OPT. Confirm your program's CIP code with your DSO before assuming you qualify for a 24-month extension.
Ask about supervision arrangements for pre-licensed roles
Some employers hire pre-licensed clinicians under a licensed supervisor to satisfy state requirements. Confirm that the supervision structure meets your state board's requirements so your hours count toward full licensure.
Prepare documentation your employer will need for H-1B filing
Your employer will need your degree transcripts, license number or supervised hours documentation, and a specialty occupation justification letter. Gathering these before the October filing window prevents avoidable delays.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do Mental Health Clinician roles qualify as specialty occupations for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes. Mental health clinician positions, including licensed counselors, clinical social workers, and marriage and family therapists, generally qualify as specialty occupations because they require a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific clinical field. Your employer will need to document the degree requirement in the H-1B petition, which most behavioral health employers are familiar with.
Can I work as a Mental Health Clinician on OPT if I am not yet fully licensed?
It depends on the employer and state. Some states allow pre-licensed clinicians to practice under a licensed supervisor, and some employers will hire you in that capacity. However, roles requiring independent clinical judgment or insurance billing under your own license typically require full licensure. Confirm your state's requirements with your licensing board before accepting a position.
How do I find Mental Health Clinician employers who sponsor OPT and H-1B?
Migrate Mate lists mental health clinician roles specifically filtered for OPT and visa sponsorship, so you are not wasting applications on employers who do not sponsor. Community mental health centers, federally qualified health centers, and large hospital systems tend to have the most established immigration sponsorship processes in the behavioral health space.
Does my mental health degree qualify for a STEM OPT extension?
Most mental health degrees, including clinical social work, counseling psychology, and marriage and family therapy, are not on the STEM designated program list maintained by the Department of Homeland Security. This means standard OPT is 12 months. Check the CIP code listed on your I-20 with your DSO to confirm, since some programs with quantitative or research-heavy components may qualify.
What happens to my OPT authorization if my H-1B is pending when my OPT expires?
If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your OPT expires, cap-gap protection automatically extends your F-1 status and OPT work authorization until October 1, when H-1B status begins. You can continue working in your mental health clinician role during this period as long as the petition remains pending and your employer's terms stay the same.
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