Mental Health Counseling Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has strong demand for mental health counselors, driven by major health systems like Mass General Brigham, Boston Children's Hospital, and UMass Memorial Health. Boston, Worcester, and Springfield are the primary hiring hubs. Many positions are tied to federally qualified health centers and community mental health centers that routinely support visa sponsorship for licensed clinicians.
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Mission Statement
The mission of the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) is to work in partnership with communities to protect and promote the health and well-being of all Boston residents, especially those impacted by racism and systemic inequities. The BPHC sets an expectation that all staff and leadership commit, individually and as part of the BPHC team, to hold ourselves accountable to establishing a culture of anti-racism and advance racial equity and justice through each of our bureaus, programs, and offices.
Program Overview:
Entre Familia: Entre Familia is a 6-to-12-month residential substance use treatment program that provides bilingual/bicultural, gender-specific, substance use disorder treatment to pregnant and postpartum women and their children. The program serves pregnant and postpartum women and their children and has the capacity to serve up to 19 women and 26 children.
Transitions: Transitions is a short-term, residential Transitional Support Services (TSS) program serving adults of all genders living with alcohol and/or substance use disorders and is funded and licensed by the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS), Department of Public Health (DPH). The program has the capacity to serve up to 65 individuals.
Position Overview:
We are seeking dedicated and motivated interns to join our team as Alcohol and Drug Counseling Interns. This internship provides a structured and supervised learning environment for students pursuing education in Alcohol and Drug Counseling or related behavioral health fields. Interns will gain hands-on experience working with diverse populations through both individual case management and group facilitation, using evidence-based and trauma-informed approaches.
Key Responsibilities:
- Maintain a small caseload (1–4 clients) for individualized case management by providing:
- Collaborate with clients to complete biopsychosocial assessments and develop treatment plans
- Ongoing counseling and case management including aftercare services
- Crisis intervention and referral services to mental health services
- Psychoeducation education
- Clinical documentation, reporting, and record keeping
- Provide individual case management services using harm reduction, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused modalities
- Facilitate 1–4 weekly therapeutic groups incorporating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Group Theory, and Stages of Change
- Deliver both structured, evidence-based and process-oriented group sessions
- Ensure compliance with all confidentiality and documentation standards as per 42 CFR Part II, HIPAA, Department of Public Health (DPH), and Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) policies
- Learn and apply laws and professional standards related to client confidentiality
- Engage in ongoing evaluation, assessment, and intervention strategies with individuals and groups
- Participate in regular supervision and training to support skill development and preparation for future licensure
Learning Outcomes:
- Gain real-world experience using psychological theories and therapeutic frameworks including CBT, Trauma-Informed Care, Narrative Therapy, Group Theory, Stages of Change, and Harm Reduction
- Develop a professional clinical language for documentation
- Learn best practices in ethical and legal standards for clinical work
- Strengthen ability to work effectively with diverse populations and within a multidisciplinary team
- Receive supervision aligned with educational and licensure requirements
Basic Qualifications:
- Current enrollment in an Addiction Counseling program and working toward becoming a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor (LADC) or Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC)
- Must be enrolled in internship/field related coursework and have approval from the college/university to participate in the internship
- Strong interest in behavioral health, substance use disorder services, and working with diverse populations
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and uphold ethical standards
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
- Willingness to learn, take initiative, and engage in reflective practice
- Commitment to engaging in anti-racism work to examine and address systemic racism
- This position requires direct client/patient contact and as a result of such direct contact, certain immunizations will be recommended and/or required prior to commencement of employment duties
- A Criminal Offenders Records Information request must be completed for this position. However, a record is not an automatic bar to employment but is reviewed in relation to the job applied for
- Any position that requires an advanced degree will be subject to education verification
Location:
- City of Boston residency is required; Allston, Back Bay, Bay Village, Beacon Hill, Brighton, Charlestown, Chinatown, Dorchester, Downtown, East Boston, Fenway-Kenmore, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Mid-Dorchester, Mission Hill, North End, Roslindale, Roxbury, South Boston, South End, West End, West Roxbury, Wharf district
- Certain positions at the BPHC may be Grant Funded
- Certain positions at the BPHC may require Child Protective Service Background verification
- The advertised shift and schedule are subject to change at the department's discretion
Varies (16 - 28 hours per week)
The Boston Public Health Commission is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are eligible to apply.
Mental Health Counseling Job Roles in Massachusetts
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Search Mental Health Counseling Jobs in MassachusettsMental Health Counseling Jobs in Massachusetts: Frequently Asked Questions
Which visa types are most common for mental health counseling roles in Massachusetts?
The H-1B visa is the most common visa for mental health counselors in Massachusetts, as licensed counseling roles typically qualify as specialty occupations requiring at least a master's degree. Some employers, particularly hospitals and federally qualified health centers, also sponsor J-1 visas through Conrad 30 waiver programs, which allow foreign medical graduates and mental health professionals to work in underserved areas of the state.
Which companies sponsor visas for mental health counselors in Massachusetts?
Large health systems with established immigration infrastructure are the most consistent sponsors. Mass General Brigham, Boston Medical Center, UMass Memorial Health, and Fenway Health have sponsored mental health and behavioral health roles in the past. Community mental health centers and federally qualified health centers across Massachusetts also sponsor H-1B and J-1 visas, particularly for clinicians willing to work in shortage areas.
Which cities in Massachusetts have the most mental health counseling sponsorship jobs?
Boston is the primary hub, home to the largest hospital networks and behavioral health organizations in the state. Worcester is a secondary market with strong demand through UMass Memorial Health and community mental health centers. Springfield and Lowell have active hiring through community health centers that serve underserved populations, where federal designation as Health Professional Shortage Areas can support J-1 Conrad 30 waiver placements.
How to find mental health counseling visa sponsorship jobs in Massachusetts?
Migrate Mate is a job board built specifically for international candidates seeking visa sponsorship in the United States. You can filter directly for mental health counseling roles in Massachusetts to see employers that have sponsored visas for similar positions. This is more efficient than broad job searches, since sponsorship history and role type are already factored into the listings shown.
Are there state-specific considerations for mental health counselors seeking visa sponsorship in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts requires licensure for independent practice, typically the Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) credential, which requires a master's degree and supervised hours. International candidates should confirm their foreign credentials are evaluated for equivalency before applying. Massachusetts also has active shortage area designations in cities like Springfield and Fall River, which can make J-1 Conrad 30 waiver positions more accessible for eligible clinicians.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored mental health counseling jobs in Massachusetts?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.