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 JobsPay: $40 per hour with LPC; LMSW-AP; or LCSW with a $5,000 Sign-on bonus
$35 per hour with LPC-A; clinical supervision provided with a $5,000 Sign-on bonus
Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm
Benefit package includes:
- Health/dental/vision/prescription insurance
- Life insurance, AD&D as well as short-term disability
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Paid time off
- Paid holidays
- Employee assistance program
- Career advancement opportunities
Backed by national accrediting organizations, Management & Training Corporation (MTC) Medical staff are dedicated to providing quality health services to our residents. Our employees strive to improve the lives of our residents through robust educational programming, clinical care, and other resources. Join our team at MTC Medical Texas Civil Commitment Center in Littlefield, Texas, and make a difference in the lives of those in our care.
What you'll do: You'll report administratively to the health services administrator and clinically to the psychiatrist. If you're an LPC-A, clinical supervision will be provided. You'll be responsible for planning and implementing professional mental health services programs of a non-medical nature in compliance with MTC Medical and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) directives.
Position responsibilities:
- Develop and implement treatment and therapeutic programs for assigned clients.
- Assume independent clinical responsibility for all clients including the application of crisis intervention techniques to include suicide prevention, recognizing abnormal behavior, and taking appropriate action to prevent or diffuse potentially disruptive situations.
- Conduct diagnosis and evaluation tests for clients to determine needs, establish goals and develop plans; make referrals to contract professionals for assessment and treatment of clients.
- Provide direct casework services and individual and group counseling to clients.
- Prepare progress reports; provide recommendations regarding treatment plans; make case presentations; and assist administrative and medical staff in development of statistical reports on assigned clients.
- Maintain and monitor confidentiality of clients and their files; audit files to determine that all services provided are documented; review status of clients to determine that all treatment and therapeutic programs are completed.
- Screen requests for non-medical records and appropriately approve or disapprove responses following policy and procedures.
- Attend scheduled staff meetings; promote communication and the proper flow of relevant information between administration, staff and clients.
- Attend seminars, workshops, conferences, and so forth, as required.
- Maintain current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification; perform CPR in emergencies.
- Serve in rotation with other mental health providers to provide after-hours and weekend client care, if required, to include accepting on-call rotation.
- Promote the development of positive social skills through modeling appropriate behaviors and intervening when inappropriate behaviors are observed.
- Maintain accountability of clients and property; adhere to safety practices.
It is expected that the incumbent shall perform other duties as assigned within his/her capabilities as determined by management.
Education and experience requirements:
- Master’s degree in counseling, social work, psychology, mental health, counseling or related field
- A license or certification as required by the state of Texas. Current license in the State of Texas as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Advance Practice Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW-AP), or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) required.
- Computer skills desired, and evaluative and counseling skills are essential.
- Must hold a current CPR certification.
- Valid driver’s license in the state of Texas with an acceptable driving record required, unless waived by management.
Management & Training Corporation (MTC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, disabled status, veteran status, genetic information, national origin, or any other category protected by federal law. MTC participates in E-Verify. We strive to provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities, including disabled veterans, in our job application and hiring process. If you are interested in employment opportunities with Management & Training Corporation and need assistance, please contact our staffing department through customersupport@mtctrains.com or 801-693-2888.
Pay: $40 per hour with LPC; LMSW-AP; or LCSW with a $5,000 Sign-on bonus
$35 per hour with LPC-A; clinical supervision provided with a $5,000 Sign-on bonus
Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm
Benefit package includes:
- Health/dental/vision/prescription insurance
- Life insurance, AD&D as well as short-term disability
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Paid time off
- Paid holidays
- Employee assistance program
- Career advancement opportunities
Backed by national accrediting organizations, Management & Training Corporation (MTC) Medical staff are dedicated to providing quality health services to our residents. Our employees strive to improve the lives of our residents through robust educational programming, clinical care, and other resources. Join our team at MTC Medical Texas Civil Commitment Center in Littlefield, Texas, and make a difference in the lives of those in our care.
What you'll do: You'll report administratively to the health services administrator and clinically to the psychiatrist. If you're an LPC-A, clinical supervision will be provided. You'll be responsible for planning and implementing professional mental health services programs of a non-medical nature in compliance with MTC Medical and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) directives.
Position responsibilities:
- Develop and implement treatment and therapeutic programs for assigned clients.
- Assume independent clinical responsibility for all clients including the application of crisis intervention techniques to include suicide prevention, recognizing abnormal behavior, and taking appropriate action to prevent or diffuse potentially disruptive situations.
- Conduct diagnosis and evaluation tests for clients to determine needs, establish goals and develop plans; make referrals to contract professionals for assessment and treatment of clients.
- Provide direct casework services and individual and group counseling to clients.
- Prepare progress reports; provide recommendations regarding treatment plans; make case presentations; and assist administrative and medical staff in development of statistical reports on assigned clients.
- Maintain and monitor confidentiality of clients and their files; audit files to determine that all services provided are documented; review status of clients to determine that all treatment and therapeutic programs are completed.
- Screen requests for non-medical records and appropriately approve or disapprove responses following policy and procedures.
- Attend scheduled staff meetings; promote communication and the proper flow of relevant information between administration, staff and clients.
- Attend seminars, workshops, conferences, and so forth, as required.
- Maintain current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification; perform CPR in emergencies.
- Serve in rotation with other mental health providers to provide after-hours and weekend client care, if required, to include accepting on-call rotation.
- Promote the development of positive social skills through modeling appropriate behaviors and intervening when inappropriate behaviors are observed.
- Maintain accountability of clients and property; adhere to safety practices.
It is expected that the incumbent shall perform other duties as assigned within his/her capabilities as determined by management.
Education and experience requirements:
- Master’s degree in counseling, social work, psychology, mental health, counseling or related field
- A license or certification as required by the state of Texas. Current license in the State of Texas as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Advance Practice Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW-AP), or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) required.
- Computer skills desired, and evaluative and counseling skills are essential.
- Must hold a current CPR certification.
- Valid driver’s license in the state of Texas with an acceptable driving record required, unless waived by management.
Management & Training Corporation (MTC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, disabled status, veteran status, genetic information, national origin, or any other category protected by federal law. MTC participates in E-Verify. We strive to provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities, including disabled veterans, in our job application and hiring process. If you are interested in employment opportunities with Management & Training Corporation and need assistance, please contact our staffing department through customersupport@mtctrains.com or 801-693-2888.
See all 6,777+ 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.