OPT Psychotherapist Jobs
Psychotherapist jobs on OPT require employers willing to sponsor your work authorization after OPT ends, typically through an H-1B visa. Most roles require a master's degree or higher in counseling, social work, or a related field, and state licensure adds another layer of planning for international students.
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Get Access To All JobsBuilding Location:
South University Clinic
Department:
3021230 BEHAV HLTH REF CTR - SU
Job Description:
Provides therapeutic services and diagnostic services to patients and families. This is to include but is not limited to individual, group, and family therapy, mental health intakes and assessments, diagnostics, and coordination of treatment services for the patient. May be required to provide Minnesota DHS Clinical Supervision requirements as required for Partial Hospitalization Programs.
Education Qualifications:
Psychotherapist
Fargo
Our Fargo team is seeking a mental health practitioner to join us in serving our patient populations throughout the community. This advanced practice provider (APP) will be responsible for providing behavioral health services to individual patients and families across the continuum of care. Our professional, patient centered, and compassionate behavioral health providers and support staff are a source of excellent support and extensive resources. The Behavioral Health Division at Essentia Health includes physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, and dedicated support staff. This highly respected and rapidly growing team has access to top-notch facilities that provide the ideal setting for candidates seeking a professional atmosphere for their practices.
- Part-time or full-time; Hours would consist between Mon-Fri from 8am-5pm
- Practice will consist of outpatient caseload
- Pediatric experience and competence preferred
Practice Details/Job Description:
- Work within an interdisciplinary team of primary care providers, psychologists, licensed social workers, nurse practitioners, psychiatric physician assistants, and psychiatrists
- Regularly scheduled interdisciplinary case consultation with other team members
- Master’s degree in relevant field is required
- New graduates may be considered
- Internal opportunities and generous stipend for ongoing continuing professional development
Job Functions:
- In collaboration with the primary care provider, provider will treat and manage mental health and psychosocial issues
- Conduct client intakes, focusing on diagnostic and functional evaluations; make recommendations to the primary care provider and other treatment team members concerning the client’s treatment goals and plan
- Provide consultation to other team members in order to enhance their skill and effectiveness in treating mental health concerns
- Give primary care providers timely feedback about the client’s diagnosis, treatment recommendations, and ongoing progress via documentation in the client’s record and verbal feedback
- Assist, to the extent feasible, with the client’s community functioning by helping to provide resources to the client concerning public benefits, vocational rehabilitation, social support, housing, etc.
- Appropriately document the client’s progress and diagnostic information in the treatment chart to sync with EMR interface and ensure appropriate and timely billing of services
- Apply behavioral principles to address lifestyle and health risk issues
- Collaborate and consult with other team members in the treatment of mental health disorders and psychosocial issues
Educational Requirements:
Master’s degree in social work, marriage and family therapy, clinical counseling, psychology, or other discipline that meets eligibility requirements for licensure in the primary state of practice
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in a medical or behavioral health setting
- Experience providing care to a diverse population
- Experience in independently managing a caseload and completing accurate and thorough documentation
Certification/Licensure Requirements:
- Licensed to practice psychotherapy in the state in which the position is based; licensed or license-eligible to provide telehealth services in other states in the market
- Must obtain license in North Dakota
- Must obtain license in Minnesota within 6 months of hire
North Dakota:
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or
- Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
Minnesota:
- Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers (LICSW) or
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or
- Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
Compensation:
- LGSW, MFT, LPC, LAMFT – Non – Credentialed Therapist - $29.81-$44.72
- LICSW, LMFT, LPCC, LCSW – Credentialed Therapist - $33.57-$50.36
- Hired candidates may be eligible to receive additional compensation in the form of bonuses, quality incentives or production-based compensation
For more information, contact:
Brielle Humbird | 701.364.5825 | Brielle.Humbird@EssentiaHealth.org
Essentia Health is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, sexual identity, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran Status.
Licensure/Certification Qualifications:
- Licensed to practice psychotherapy in the state in which the position is based. Licensed or license-eligible to provide telehealth services in other states in the market
Minnesota:
- Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers (LICSW) or
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or
- Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
Wisconsin and North Dakota:
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or
- Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
East Market (only):
Accredited as Clinical Supervisor for the Minnesota Board of Social Work within first year of hire
FTE:
1
Possible Remote/Hybrid Option:
Shift Rotation:
Day Rotation (United States of America)
Shift Start Time:
Shift End Time:
Weekends:
Holidays:
No
Call Obligation:
No
Union:
Compensation Range:
$69,825.60 - $104,748.80
Employee Benefits at Essentia Health: At Essentia Health, we’re committed to supporting your well-being, growth, and work-life balance. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, along with supplemental options to fit your needs. We offer a 401(k) plan with employer contributions to help you plan for the future, and we invest in your professional development through training, tuition reimbursement, and educational programs. To help you thrive both at work and at home, we provide flexible scheduling, generous time off, and wellness resources focused on your physical, mental, and emotional health. Please note that benefit eligibility may vary. For full details, refer to your benefit summary or contact our HR Service Center at (218) 576-0000.
Building Location:
South University Clinic
Department:
3021230 BEHAV HLTH REF CTR - SU
Job Description:
Provides therapeutic services and diagnostic services to patients and families. This is to include but is not limited to individual, group, and family therapy, mental health intakes and assessments, diagnostics, and coordination of treatment services for the patient. May be required to provide Minnesota DHS Clinical Supervision requirements as required for Partial Hospitalization Programs.
Education Qualifications:
Psychotherapist
Fargo
Our Fargo team is seeking a mental health practitioner to join us in serving our patient populations throughout the community. This advanced practice provider (APP) will be responsible for providing behavioral health services to individual patients and families across the continuum of care. Our professional, patient centered, and compassionate behavioral health providers and support staff are a source of excellent support and extensive resources. The Behavioral Health Division at Essentia Health includes physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, and dedicated support staff. This highly respected and rapidly growing team has access to top-notch facilities that provide the ideal setting for candidates seeking a professional atmosphere for their practices.
- Part-time or full-time; Hours would consist between Mon-Fri from 8am-5pm
- Practice will consist of outpatient caseload
- Pediatric experience and competence preferred
Practice Details/Job Description:
- Work within an interdisciplinary team of primary care providers, psychologists, licensed social workers, nurse practitioners, psychiatric physician assistants, and psychiatrists
- Regularly scheduled interdisciplinary case consultation with other team members
- Master’s degree in relevant field is required
- New graduates may be considered
- Internal opportunities and generous stipend for ongoing continuing professional development
Job Functions:
- In collaboration with the primary care provider, provider will treat and manage mental health and psychosocial issues
- Conduct client intakes, focusing on diagnostic and functional evaluations; make recommendations to the primary care provider and other treatment team members concerning the client’s treatment goals and plan
- Provide consultation to other team members in order to enhance their skill and effectiveness in treating mental health concerns
- Give primary care providers timely feedback about the client’s diagnosis, treatment recommendations, and ongoing progress via documentation in the client’s record and verbal feedback
- Assist, to the extent feasible, with the client’s community functioning by helping to provide resources to the client concerning public benefits, vocational rehabilitation, social support, housing, etc.
- Appropriately document the client’s progress and diagnostic information in the treatment chart to sync with EMR interface and ensure appropriate and timely billing of services
- Apply behavioral principles to address lifestyle and health risk issues
- Collaborate and consult with other team members in the treatment of mental health disorders and psychosocial issues
Educational Requirements:
Master’s degree in social work, marriage and family therapy, clinical counseling, psychology, or other discipline that meets eligibility requirements for licensure in the primary state of practice
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in a medical or behavioral health setting
- Experience providing care to a diverse population
- Experience in independently managing a caseload and completing accurate and thorough documentation
Certification/Licensure Requirements:
- Licensed to practice psychotherapy in the state in which the position is based; licensed or license-eligible to provide telehealth services in other states in the market
- Must obtain license in North Dakota
- Must obtain license in Minnesota within 6 months of hire
North Dakota:
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or
- Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
Minnesota:
- Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers (LICSW) or
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or
- Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
Compensation:
- LGSW, MFT, LPC, LAMFT – Non – Credentialed Therapist - $29.81-$44.72
- LICSW, LMFT, LPCC, LCSW – Credentialed Therapist - $33.57-$50.36
- Hired candidates may be eligible to receive additional compensation in the form of bonuses, quality incentives or production-based compensation
For more information, contact:
Brielle Humbird | 701.364.5825 | Brielle.Humbird@EssentiaHealth.org
Essentia Health is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, sexual identity, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran Status.
Licensure/Certification Qualifications:
- Licensed to practice psychotherapy in the state in which the position is based. Licensed or license-eligible to provide telehealth services in other states in the market
Minnesota:
- Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers (LICSW) or
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or
- Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
Wisconsin and North Dakota:
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or
- Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
East Market (only):
Accredited as Clinical Supervisor for the Minnesota Board of Social Work within first year of hire
FTE:
1
Possible Remote/Hybrid Option:
Shift Rotation:
Day Rotation (United States of America)
Shift Start Time:
Shift End Time:
Weekends:
Holidays:
No
Call Obligation:
No
Union:
Compensation Range:
$69,825.60 - $104,748.80
Employee Benefits at Essentia Health: At Essentia Health, we’re committed to supporting your well-being, growth, and work-life balance. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, along with supplemental options to fit your needs. We offer a 401(k) plan with employer contributions to help you plan for the future, and we invest in your professional development through training, tuition reimbursement, and educational programs. To help you thrive both at work and at home, we provide flexible scheduling, generous time off, and wellness resources focused on your physical, mental, and emotional health. Please note that benefit eligibility may vary. For full details, refer to your benefit summary or contact our HR Service Center at (218) 576-0000.
See all 6,258+ OPT Psychotherapist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Psychotherapist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Psychotherapist
Target licensure-track employers early
Many states require supervised clinical hours before full licensure. Seek employers who explicitly support associate licensure for OPT holders, since unlicensed practice may restrict your billable scope and limit which positions you can legally accept during your OPT period.
Prioritize community mental health centers
Community mental health organizations, federally qualified health centers, and nonprofit behavioral health agencies are more accustomed to sponsoring international clinicians. They often have established HR processes for work authorization support and are more open to H-1B visa petitions.
Clarify your OPT timeline upfront
Be transparent with employers about your OPT end date and H-1B lottery timing. STEM OPT extension does not apply to this field, so employers need to understand the hard deadline and commit to filing your H-1B petition before April 1.
Align your degree to the specialty occupation standard
Psychotherapist roles must qualify as specialty occupations for H-1B sponsorship. Ensure your offer letter specifies that a master's or doctoral degree in a defined clinical field is required, not merely preferred, which strengthens the specialty occupation argument significantly.
Research state-by-state licensure portability
Licensure requirements differ significantly across states. Before accepting a position, verify whether your degree and supervised hours meet that state's requirements, since transferring your license later can delay employment authorization and complicate any future visa sponsorship paperwork.
Ask directly about H-1B sponsorship history
During interviews, ask whether the organization has previously sponsored H-1B or other work visas for clinical staff. Employers with prior sponsorship experience move faster and make fewer errors, which materially reduces your risk of filing delays.
Psychotherapist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Psychotherapist on OPT without a full state license?
Yes, in most states you can work under an associate or provisional license title while accruing supervised hours toward full licensure. Your OPT authorization covers the position, not the license level, so you can legally work as a supervised clinician. Confirm with your specific state's licensing board, since a few states prohibit unlicensed practice entirely even under supervision.
Does STEM OPT extension apply to Psychotherapist roles?
No. Psychotherapy, counseling, and clinical social work programs are not classified under STEM-designated CIP codes, so you are not eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Your standard OPT is 12 months. This makes H-1B sponsorship planning especially time-sensitive, and you should begin conversations with prospective employers well before your OPT authorization expires.
How do I find Psychotherapist employers who sponsor OPT and H-1B visas?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically by visa sponsorship willingness, making it the most direct way to find Psychotherapist employers open to OPT and H-1B support. Community mental health centers, hospital-based behavioral health departments, and large nonprofit health systems are the most common sponsors in this field. Avoid smaller private practices, which rarely have the infrastructure to support visa sponsorship.
Does my psychotherapy job need to qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B?
Yes. For an employer to sponsor your H-1B after OPT, the Psychotherapist role must meet USCIS's specialty occupation standard, meaning it normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field. Master's-level clinical roles generally meet this standard comfortably. The offer letter should specify the degree requirement as mandatory, not preferred, to avoid complications during USCIS review.
Can I switch employers while on OPT if my first employer won't sponsor my H-1B?
Yes, you can change employers during OPT as long as your new position is related to your degree field and you update your SEVIS record through your DSO within ten days. If your initial employer declines to sponsor an H-1B, finding a new sponsoring employer before your OPT expires is critical. Starting that search early gives you the best chance of securing sponsorship before the April H-1B filing window.