Mental Health Counseling Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Virginia
Virginia's mental health counseling sector draws international talent to employers across Northern Virginia, Richmond, and the Tidewater region. Large health systems like Inova, VCU Health, and the Veterans Affairs network regularly seek licensed counselors, while the state's proximity to federal agencies and military installations creates steady demand for behavioral health professionals seeking visa sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Counseling Programs at James Madison University are seeking an exceptional Counselor Educator to join the award‐winning faculty in the Department of Graduate Psychology and serve as the Program Director for our Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.A./Ed.S. Program. Our CACREP‐accredited programs include Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.A./Ed.S., School Counseling M.Ed./Ed.S., and Counseling and Supervision Ph.D. The full‐time (10 month), tenure track position will start in August 2027, and will be filled at the rank of advanced Assistant Professor, Associate Professor or Professor.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The role of Program Director includes responsibilities for providing leadership of the program to include:
- maintaining a strategic plan
- ensuring compliance with CACREP standards
- collaborating with the clinical coordinator, CACREP liaison, and other program directors to ensure effective communication and support of the JMU Counseling Programs community
- meeting research expectations consistent with the department's and JMU’s tenure and promotion expectations
The position also includes:
- teaching four core counseling courses each academic year
- engaging in successful scholarship
- providing service to the department and university
The successful candidate will share our philosophy that cultivating the personhood of the student‐counselor is a corollary to academic instruction. We therefore seek a candidate committed to joining and fostering a culture that promotes both the personal growth and professional development of our students.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates should have experience with clinical mental health counseling practice, supervision, and teaching. The successful applicant will possess:
- a doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision from a CACREP‐accredited program
- be a Licensed Professional Counselor, with the requirement of obtaining Virginia licensure within two years of start date
- be able to document successful teaching and supervision within a master’s or doctoral program
- a strong identity as a clinical mental health counselor educator with an interest in program leadership as well as teaching and mentoring students at the master’s level
- strong clinical skills, as well as the ability to teach a variety of courses at the master’s levels
ADDITIONAL POSTING INFORMATION
Interested candidates must complete the application on JMU's career site and provide the following:
- Cover letter
- CV
- Names and contact information for three references
JMU’s Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2OTF1NG.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.
E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.
EEO STATEMENT
James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.
We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.
Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.
LOCATION
Harrisonburg, Virginia, United States
INTRODUCTION
The Counseling Programs at James Madison University are seeking an exceptional Counselor Educator to join the award‐winning faculty in the Department of Graduate Psychology and serve as the Program Director for our Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.A./Ed.S. Program. Our CACREP‐accredited programs include Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.A./Ed.S., School Counseling M.Ed./Ed.S., and Counseling and Supervision Ph.D. The full‐time (10 month), tenure track position will start in August 2027, and will be filled at the rank of advanced Assistant Professor, Associate Professor or Professor.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The role of Program Director includes responsibilities for providing leadership of the program to include:
- maintaining a strategic plan
- ensuring compliance with CACREP standards
- collaborating with the clinical coordinator, CACREP liaison, and other program directors to ensure effective communication and support of the JMU Counseling Programs community
- meeting research expectations consistent with the department's and JMU’s tenure and promotion expectations
The position also includes:
- teaching four core counseling courses each academic year
- engaging in successful scholarship
- providing service to the department and university
The successful candidate will share our philosophy that cultivating the personhood of the student‐counselor is a corollary to academic instruction. We therefore seek a candidate committed to joining and fostering a culture that promotes both the personal growth and professional development of our students.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates should have experience with clinical mental health counseling practice, supervision, and teaching. The successful applicant will possess:
- a doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision from a CACREP‐accredited program
- be a Licensed Professional Counselor, with the requirement of obtaining Virginia licensure within two years of start date
- be able to document successful teaching and supervision within a master’s or doctoral program
- a strong identity as a clinical mental health counselor educator with an interest in program leadership as well as teaching and mentoring students at the master’s level
- strong clinical skills, as well as the ability to teach a variety of courses at the master’s levels
ADDITIONAL POSTING INFORMATION
Interested candidates must complete the application on JMU's career site and provide the following:
- Cover letter
- CV
- Names and contact information for three references
JMU’s Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2OTF1NG.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.
E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.
EEO STATEMENT
James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.
We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.
Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.
LOCATION
Harrisonburg, Virginia, United States
Mental Health Counseling Job Roles in Virginia
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Search Mental Health Counseling Jobs in VirginiaMental Health Counseling Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for mental health counselors in Virginia?
Large health systems are the most active sponsors in Virginia, including Inova Health System, VCU Health, Sentara Healthcare, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Community mental health centers, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), and private group practices operating across Northern Virginia and the Richmond metro also sponsor foreign-trained counselors, particularly for roles that are difficult to fill locally.
Which visa types are most common for mental health counseling roles in Virginia?
The H-1B visa is the most widely used visa for licensed mental health counselors, as the role qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring at least a master's degree in counseling or a related field. Some nonprofit health systems and FQHCs are cap-exempt, allowing them to file H-1B petitions year-round outside the annual lottery. The J-1 visa is also used through exchange visitor programs at academic medical centers affiliated with universities like Virginia Commonwealth University.
Which cities in Virginia have the most mental health counseling sponsorship jobs?
Northern Virginia, particularly Arlington, Alexandria, and Fairfax, has the highest concentration of behavioral health sponsorship opportunities, driven by proximity to federal agencies and a large, diverse population. Richmond is a secondary hub anchored by VCU Health and several community mental health centers. Virginia Beach and the broader Hampton Roads area also show consistent demand, largely tied to military and veteran-focused behavioral health services.
How to find mental health counseling visa sponsorship jobs in Virginia?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international candidates seeking visa sponsorship in the U.S. You can filter directly for mental health counseling roles in Virginia, seeing only employers who have a documented history of sponsoring work visas. This saves significant time compared to applying broadly and discovering late in the process that a position does not support sponsorship. Migrate Mate also surfaces roles at cap-exempt institutions, which are especially valuable for counselors outside the H-1B lottery cycle.
Are there any Virginia-specific considerations for foreign-trained mental health counselors seeking sponsorship?
Virginia requires Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensure through the Virginia Board of Counseling, which typically requires a master's degree, supervised clinical hours, and passing the National Counselor Examination. Foreign-trained applicants must have their credentials evaluated for equivalency before licensure is granted. Employers sponsoring an H-1B must also attest to paying at least the Department of Labor prevailing wage for the specific county where the counselor will work, which varies across the state.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored mental health counseling jobs in Virginia?
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.