OPT Mental Health Counselor Jobs
Mental Health Counselor roles on OPT require careful attention to licensure timelines. Most states require supervised hours and a licensed supervisor before you can practice independently, and that supervision period aligns well with your OPT window. STEM OPT extension is not available for this field, so planning your H-1B visa or other visa transition early matters.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Title: Licensed Mental Health Counselor/Social Worker
Reports to: Headmaster
Location: Forest Heights Lower School; San Antonio, Texas
Supported by: District Mental Health Team
Exemption Status/Test: Exempt
Salary Range: $53,000 - 63,000 commensurate with education and years of experience
Primary Purpose:
Provide responsive services to individual campuses and the campus community through wide Mental Health & Wellness Initiatives, Crisis Management; Interventions for Targeted Students; Trainings; Data Collection and Analysis. This position will be for individual campus needs.
Qualifications
Education/Certification: Master’s Degree
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Or Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (currently under supervision); Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) (currently under supervision); Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Experience:
Minimum of two (2) years of school or community-based counseling or social work experience in a K-12 public school preferred
Special Knowledge/Skills:
- Strong organizational, communication and interpersonal skills
- Knowledge of the types of services provided by mental health counselors and social workers
- Proficient in technology, including computer skills, Microsoft applications, Google
- Ability to present to students, parents, and staff in one-on-one, small group, and large group settings
- Knowledge of counseling procedures and protocols
- Knowledge of interventions and best practices for student
- Adept at data collection and analysis
- Ability to create PowerPoints for campus-wide professional development
- Knowledge on best practices and research on mental health
Major Responsibilities and Duties:
Guidance Curriculum:
- Conduct campus wide presentations for the students/staff
- Use technology to upload and share lessons and resources, as needed
Individual Counseling:
- Provide short-term, solution-focused counseling for general education students
- Provide counseling for special education students who require counseling according to their mandated Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
Small Group Counseling:
- Provide small group counseling for general education students, as needed
Accountability:
- Tracking of crisis response activities
- Keep a daily log of activities as it relates to campus counseling supports
- Maintain an Outlook calendar
Crisis Management:
- Provide immediate support to dysregulated students
- Provide risk/threat assessment services for students who have been identified as at risk of self-harm or harm to others
- Conduct risk-assessments, as appropriate
- Follow up with crisis intervention reports, as required
- Serve as a member of the campus behavioral threat assessment team
Referrals:
- Provide community resources to school staff/families, as necessary
Student Management:
- Consult with school leadership regarding specific students and general trends in student population
Policy Reports and Law:
- Support and follow local, state, and federal rules and policies
Communications and Community Relations:
- Establish and maintain a professional relationship and open communication with headmasters, staff, parents, and the community
District Trainings:
- Attend mental health professional development trainings as required by the district and TEA
Personal Qualities & Values:
Passionately Committed:
With humility and curiosity, we seek to know more about our core purpose; seek to share (with each other and with others externally as an advocate); seek to live the mission ourselves with relentless pursuit and intrinsic motivation; seek to understand our work and how it serves the mission, which should result in getting the right stuff done with measurable results because we love actualization – not just the theory
Servant’s Heart:
The foundational element of having a servant’s heart is the acknowledgement of inherent dignity in their fellow human. Someone with a servant’s heart believes that their work is to promote the development of those around them and make it possible for others to be successful in serving the mission of the organization.
Team Player:
We believe our mission can only be accomplished through collaboration and receive true joy in being a part of something greater than ourselves; Each of us is one part of a whole, each with distinct roles, expertise, and responsibilities; working together in synchronicity.
Compensation:
Great Hearts offers a competitive benefits package and overall compensation will be commensurate with talent, experience, and education.
Additional Requirements:
Type of fingerprint clearance: Must possess or obtain valid Texas fingerprint clearance card.
Physical functions: Requires but is not limited to standing, sitting, repetitious hand and body movements, bending, squatting, and reaching. May be required to move or position equipment up to 15 pounds approximately.
Travel required: May need to travel locally to the various academies within the metro area.
This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not exclude or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal history background check and fingerprint clearance in accordance with state requirements.
Travel required: May need to travel locally for training and professional development opportunities.
This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not exclude or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Great Hearts Academies is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Job Title: Licensed Mental Health Counselor/Social Worker
Reports to: Headmaster
Location: Forest Heights Lower School; San Antonio, Texas
Supported by: District Mental Health Team
Exemption Status/Test: Exempt
Salary Range: $53,000 - 63,000 commensurate with education and years of experience
Primary Purpose:
Provide responsive services to individual campuses and the campus community through wide Mental Health & Wellness Initiatives, Crisis Management; Interventions for Targeted Students; Trainings; Data Collection and Analysis. This position will be for individual campus needs.
Qualifications
Education/Certification: Master’s Degree
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Or Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (currently under supervision); Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) (currently under supervision); Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Experience:
Minimum of two (2) years of school or community-based counseling or social work experience in a K-12 public school preferred
Special Knowledge/Skills:
- Strong organizational, communication and interpersonal skills
- Knowledge of the types of services provided by mental health counselors and social workers
- Proficient in technology, including computer skills, Microsoft applications, Google
- Ability to present to students, parents, and staff in one-on-one, small group, and large group settings
- Knowledge of counseling procedures and protocols
- Knowledge of interventions and best practices for student
- Adept at data collection and analysis
- Ability to create PowerPoints for campus-wide professional development
- Knowledge on best practices and research on mental health
Major Responsibilities and Duties:
Guidance Curriculum:
- Conduct campus wide presentations for the students/staff
- Use technology to upload and share lessons and resources, as needed
Individual Counseling:
- Provide short-term, solution-focused counseling for general education students
- Provide counseling for special education students who require counseling according to their mandated Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
Small Group Counseling:
- Provide small group counseling for general education students, as needed
Accountability:
- Tracking of crisis response activities
- Keep a daily log of activities as it relates to campus counseling supports
- Maintain an Outlook calendar
Crisis Management:
- Provide immediate support to dysregulated students
- Provide risk/threat assessment services for students who have been identified as at risk of self-harm or harm to others
- Conduct risk-assessments, as appropriate
- Follow up with crisis intervention reports, as required
- Serve as a member of the campus behavioral threat assessment team
Referrals:
- Provide community resources to school staff/families, as necessary
Student Management:
- Consult with school leadership regarding specific students and general trends in student population
Policy Reports and Law:
- Support and follow local, state, and federal rules and policies
Communications and Community Relations:
- Establish and maintain a professional relationship and open communication with headmasters, staff, parents, and the community
District Trainings:
- Attend mental health professional development trainings as required by the district and TEA
Personal Qualities & Values:
Passionately Committed:
With humility and curiosity, we seek to know more about our core purpose; seek to share (with each other and with others externally as an advocate); seek to live the mission ourselves with relentless pursuit and intrinsic motivation; seek to understand our work and how it serves the mission, which should result in getting the right stuff done with measurable results because we love actualization – not just the theory
Servant’s Heart:
The foundational element of having a servant’s heart is the acknowledgement of inherent dignity in their fellow human. Someone with a servant’s heart believes that their work is to promote the development of those around them and make it possible for others to be successful in serving the mission of the organization.
Team Player:
We believe our mission can only be accomplished through collaboration and receive true joy in being a part of something greater than ourselves; Each of us is one part of a whole, each with distinct roles, expertise, and responsibilities; working together in synchronicity.
Compensation:
Great Hearts offers a competitive benefits package and overall compensation will be commensurate with talent, experience, and education.
Additional Requirements:
Type of fingerprint clearance: Must possess or obtain valid Texas fingerprint clearance card.
Physical functions: Requires but is not limited to standing, sitting, repetitious hand and body movements, bending, squatting, and reaching. May be required to move or position equipment up to 15 pounds approximately.
Travel required: May need to travel locally to the various academies within the metro area.
This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not exclude or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal history background check and fingerprint clearance in accordance with state requirements.
Travel required: May need to travel locally for training and professional development opportunities.
This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not exclude or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Great Hearts Academies is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
See all 7,325+ OPT Mental Health Counselor Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Mental Health Counselor
Target employers with established supervision structures
Community mental health centers, hospital systems, and large behavioral health networks already have licensed supervisors on staff. These settings are built to onboard pre-licensed counselors, which makes them far more likely to support your OPT work authorization and future sponsorship needs.
Understand your state's licensure requirements before accepting a role
Each state sets its own supervised hours requirement for licensure, ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 hours. Knowing the requirement in your target state helps you assess whether your OPT window is long enough to complete the hours and qualify for licensure.
Frame your multilingual skills as a clinical asset
Employers in underserved communities actively recruit counselors who speak languages other than English. Fluency in Spanish, Mandarin, Hindi, or other languages can differentiate your application and expand the pool of employers willing to invest in sponsorship for your position.
Research nonprofit and federally qualified health center employers
Federally Qualified Health Centers and nonprofit behavioral health organizations often have greater motivation to retain long-term staff, including sponsoring work visas. Their missions depend on consistent, culturally competent care, making them more open to supporting international counselors through the sponsorship process.
Be direct about your OPT status and timeline in early conversations
Bringing up your authorization timeline in the first or second interview signals professionalism, not risk. Employers who would hesitate are better identified early, and those who ask follow-up questions are often genuinely open to learning what sponsorship involves for this role.
Connect your graduate training specialty to employer caseload needs
Employers with specific caseloads, such as trauma, substance use, or adolescent mental health, prioritize candidates trained in those areas. Matching your clinical specialty to the employer's population strengthens your candidacy and makes you harder to replace, which directly supports the sponsorship conversation.
Mental Health Counselor OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Mental Health Counselor on OPT without a full license?
Yes, most states allow pre-licensed counselors to practice under supervision while accruing hours toward full licensure. Your OPT employment authorization covers this supervised role as long as the work is directly related to your degree field. Confirm your state's supervision requirements with your employer before your start date.
Is Mental Health Counselor eligible for STEM OPT extension?
No. Mental Health Counselor roles fall under clinical and social science fields, which are not on the STEM Designated Degree Program List. Your initial OPT period is 12 months. If your employer cannot file an H-1B visa petition before OPT expires, you will need to explore other visa categories or return to school.
Which visa categories are most realistic for Mental Health Counselors after OPT?
The H-1B is the most common path, though the annual lottery makes timing uncertain. Some counselors qualify for the O-1A if they have research publications, awards, or other evidence of distinction. Counselors working for nonprofits or government agencies may also access cap-exempt H-1B filings, which bypass the lottery entirely.
How do I find Mental Health Counselor employers who sponsor OPT and visas?
Migrate Mate is the most direct way to find Mental Health Counselor roles posted by employers open to OPT and visa sponsorship. Filtering by sponsorship willingness saves time compared to applying broadly and discovering the limitation late in the process. Hospital networks, community health centers, and behavioral health groups are consistently the most sponsorship-friendly employers in this field.
Does my supervised clinical hours requirement affect my OPT status?
No, supervision is a state licensure requirement, not an immigration one. Working under a licensed supervisor does not change your OPT authorization or limit your employment rights. The key is that your role must be in a field directly related to your degree. Document your supervision hours carefully since you will need them for your licensure application regardless of visa status.