Mental Health Counseling Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Tennessee
Tennessee's mental health counseling workforce spans hospital networks like Vanderbilt University Medical Center and HCA Healthcare in Nashville, community health centers in Memphis and Knoxville, and state-funded behavioral health agencies. International counselors with H-1B visa or J-1 visa sponsorship find openings across urban and rural settings, where workforce shortages continue to drive employer willingness to sponsor.
Find Mental Health Counseling JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 177+ Mental Health Counseling Jobs in Tennessee with Visa Sponsorship
See all 177+ Mental Health Counseling Jobs in Tennessee with Visa Sponsorship
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Mental Health Counseling Jobs in Tennessee with Visa Sponsorship.
Get Access To All JobsJob Title
Associate Director - Counseling Services
Department
Counseling Services
Salary
$82,737 - $104,664; commensurate with experience
Job Summary/Basic Function
The Associate Director collaborates with and assists the Director in the strategic management, oversight, and continuous improvement of Counseling Services. The position provides administrative and clinical leadership through the planning, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of departmental operations; supervises professional counseling staff and trainees; and assumes responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Center during the Director's absence.
Primary responsibilities include hiring, onboarding, training, and evaluating clinical staff; responding to campus mental health emergencies; delivering direct mental health services; providing consultation to campus stakeholders; serving as a liaison with Student Affairs and academic departments; and implementing operational improvements under the Director's guidance.
Required Education
Master's, PhD, or PsyD in psychology, counseling, or social work.
Required Related Experience
Total of five (5) years post-licensure experience in clinical counseling (direct service), with substantial supervisory experience and progressive administrative responsibilities.
Required License/Registration/Certification
- Must hold an active, unrestricted license in the State of Tennessee as a Licensed Psychologist with Health Service Provider (HSP) designation, Licensed Professional Counselor with Mental Health Service Provider (LPC-MHSP) designation, or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) designation.
- Applicants licensed in another state must be eligible for and obtain Tennessee licensure within six (6) months of hire.
- At the time of hire, candidates must be immediately eligible to serve as the Supervisor of Record for pre-licensed and temporarily licensed clinicians in Tennessee and meet all applicable Tennessee licensing board requirements for their respective discipline, including:
- LPC-MHSP: Minimum five (5) years of full licensure and current Tennessee Board Certificate of Qualified Supervision.
- LCSW: Minimum three (3) years of continuous full licensure and completion of the Tennessee board-required 12-hour supervision training.
- Licensed Psychologist (HSP): Active Health Service Provider designation and eligibility to supervise psychology trainees and residents in accordance with Tennessee Board requirements.
Desirable Related Experience
- Seven (7) or more years of post-licensure experience providing direct clinical counseling services
- Experience in a public university counseling center (strongly preferred)
- Experience supervising licensure candidates and graduate trainees
- Experience with electronic health record systems, utilization reporting, and clinical outcome measurement
- Experience participating in behavioral intervention, CARE, or threat assessment teams
- Experience with program evaluation or quality improvement initiatives in a counseling or health services setting
Desirable License/Registration/Certification
National supervision credentials (e.g., NBCC Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) or NASW Supervisor Recognition) are preferred but not required.
Documents Needed to Apply
Cover Letter & Resume Required
MTSU offers a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to the following:
- Sick Leave
- Vacation Leave for Administrative/Classified Staff/12-month Faculty
- 13 paid University holidays
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
- Retirement plans
- Optional 401K and 403B Deferred Compensation Plans
- Educational benefits for the employee and their spouse and dependents
MTSU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.
Proof of U.S. citizenship or eligibility for U.S. employment is required before employment (Immigration Control Act of 1986). Clery Act crime statistics for MTSU are available at https://police.mtsu.edu/annual-security-report/ or by contacting MTSU Public Safety at (615) 898-2424.
MTSU is a Tobacco & Drug-Free campus.
This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you will be required to provide information about your criminal history to be considered.
For individuals requiring reasonable accommodation to apply: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position with MTSU, please call 615-898-2929 or email hrs@mtsu.edu.
Application Review Date: August 12, 2026
LOCATION
Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Tennessee, United States
Job Title
Associate Director - Counseling Services
Department
Counseling Services
Salary
$82,737 - $104,664; commensurate with experience
Job Summary/Basic Function
The Associate Director collaborates with and assists the Director in the strategic management, oversight, and continuous improvement of Counseling Services. The position provides administrative and clinical leadership through the planning, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of departmental operations; supervises professional counseling staff and trainees; and assumes responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Center during the Director's absence.
Primary responsibilities include hiring, onboarding, training, and evaluating clinical staff; responding to campus mental health emergencies; delivering direct mental health services; providing consultation to campus stakeholders; serving as a liaison with Student Affairs and academic departments; and implementing operational improvements under the Director's guidance.
Required Education
Master's, PhD, or PsyD in psychology, counseling, or social work.
Required Related Experience
Total of five (5) years post-licensure experience in clinical counseling (direct service), with substantial supervisory experience and progressive administrative responsibilities.
Required License/Registration/Certification
- Must hold an active, unrestricted license in the State of Tennessee as a Licensed Psychologist with Health Service Provider (HSP) designation, Licensed Professional Counselor with Mental Health Service Provider (LPC-MHSP) designation, or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) designation.
- Applicants licensed in another state must be eligible for and obtain Tennessee licensure within six (6) months of hire.
- At the time of hire, candidates must be immediately eligible to serve as the Supervisor of Record for pre-licensed and temporarily licensed clinicians in Tennessee and meet all applicable Tennessee licensing board requirements for their respective discipline, including:
- LPC-MHSP: Minimum five (5) years of full licensure and current Tennessee Board Certificate of Qualified Supervision.
- LCSW: Minimum three (3) years of continuous full licensure and completion of the Tennessee board-required 12-hour supervision training.
- Licensed Psychologist (HSP): Active Health Service Provider designation and eligibility to supervise psychology trainees and residents in accordance with Tennessee Board requirements.
Desirable Related Experience
- Seven (7) or more years of post-licensure experience providing direct clinical counseling services
- Experience in a public university counseling center (strongly preferred)
- Experience supervising licensure candidates and graduate trainees
- Experience with electronic health record systems, utilization reporting, and clinical outcome measurement
- Experience participating in behavioral intervention, CARE, or threat assessment teams
- Experience with program evaluation or quality improvement initiatives in a counseling or health services setting
Desirable License/Registration/Certification
National supervision credentials (e.g., NBCC Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) or NASW Supervisor Recognition) are preferred but not required.
Documents Needed to Apply
Cover Letter & Resume Required
MTSU offers a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to the following:
- Sick Leave
- Vacation Leave for Administrative/Classified Staff/12-month Faculty
- 13 paid University holidays
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
- Retirement plans
- Optional 401K and 403B Deferred Compensation Plans
- Educational benefits for the employee and their spouse and dependents
MTSU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.
Proof of U.S. citizenship or eligibility for U.S. employment is required before employment (Immigration Control Act of 1986). Clery Act crime statistics for MTSU are available at https://police.mtsu.edu/annual-security-report/ or by contacting MTSU Public Safety at (615) 898-2424.
MTSU is a Tobacco & Drug-Free campus.
This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you will be required to provide information about your criminal history to be considered.
For individuals requiring reasonable accommodation to apply: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position with MTSU, please call 615-898-2929 or email hrs@mtsu.edu.
Application Review Date: August 12, 2026
LOCATION
Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Tennessee, United States
Mental Health Counseling Job Roles in Tennessee
See all 177+ Mental Health Counseling Jobs in Tennessee
Sign up for free to filter by visa type, set job alerts, and find employers with verified sponsorship history.
Search Mental Health Counseling Jobs in TennesseeMental Health Counseling Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for mental health counselors in Tennessee?
Large health systems are the most consistent sponsors in Tennessee. Vanderbilt University Medical Center, HCA Healthcare, and Tennova Healthcare have histories of H-1B filings for clinical roles. Federally Qualified Health Centers across Memphis and rural Tennessee also sponsor through J-1 visa waiver programs tied to Health Professional Shortage Area designations. University counseling centers at institutions like the University of Tennessee and Tennessee State University occasionally sponsor qualifying candidates as well.
Which visa types are most common for mental health counseling roles in Tennessee?
The H-1B is the most common visa for licensed mental health counselors, as the role typically meets the specialty occupation standard requiring at least a master's degree in counseling or a related clinical field. J-1 visa waivers are also common, particularly through the Conrad 30 program, which places foreign-trained clinicians in underserved Tennessee communities in exchange for waiving the two-year home residency requirement. TN visas are not available for counseling roles.
Which cities in Tennessee have the most mental health counseling sponsorship jobs?
Nashville leads the state due to its concentration of major hospital systems, insurance companies, and behavioral health organizations. Memphis has significant demand driven by community mental health centers and hospital networks serving high-need populations. Knoxville and Chattanooga offer opportunities through regional health systems and university-affiliated clinics. Rural areas across East and West Tennessee can also be viable, especially for candidates pursuing J-1 Conrad 30 waiver positions tied to shortage area designations.
How to find mental health counseling visa sponsorship jobs in Tennessee?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international job seekers looking for visa sponsorship roles, including mental health counseling positions in Tennessee. You can filter by state and role to surface employers who have sponsored similar clinical positions in the past. Because sponsorship decisions depend on licensing status, degree level, and employer capacity, using a targeted platform like Migrate Mate saves significant time compared to broad job searching.
Are there state licensing or role-specific considerations for international mental health counselors in Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee requires licensure through the Tennessee Department of Health before you can practice independently, and most employers require or expect candidates to hold or be eligible for a Licensed Professional Counselor credential. For H-1B sponsorship, the employer's prevailing wage obligation is determined by the DOL and tied to the specific role and county. International candidates should confirm their graduate degree meets Tennessee's licensure education requirements before pursuing sponsorship, as degree equivalency can affect both the visa petition and the state licensing application.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored mental health counseling jobs in Tennessee?
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.