Counseling Psychologist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Counseling psychologist roles in the U.S. typically require a doctoral degree and state licensure, making H-1B visa the most common sponsorship path. Employers in hospitals, universities, and community mental health centers regularly sponsor qualified international candidates with a relevant psychology doctorate. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide.
The UCI Counseling Center is committed to delivering quality services that help students achieve optimal mental health for academic success, personal growth, and increased capacity to cope with the stresses of being a university student. The Counseling Center also provides training and learning opportunities to prepare future leaders in mental health and other service-oriented positions. The vision of the Counseling Center is to elevate the student experience and create pathways to success through a wide range of multiculturally based clinical, outreach, prevention, and training services. Our Values include: Service, Community, Inclusion & Advocacy, and Integrity & Accountability.
Responsibilities:
NOTE: We are hiring for 2 positions with the same duties.
The emphasis of this position is on direct services to students as a generalist counseling psychologist and the position specializes in the services including, but not limited to, working with LGBTQ Student populations. Conduct initial assessments, time limited individual, couple and group psychotherapy; urgent care services; crisis response; consultation and outreach in a university counseling center. This position serves as one of the primary liaison(s) to the LGBT Resource Center on the campus. Responsibilities also include assisting in generating programs, workshops, groups, and services targeting the UCI LGBTQ+ student population. The incumbent may also assist with coordination of the LGBTQ Mentoring program. They would assist in generating programs, workshops, groups, and services targeting the UCI LGBTQ+ student population. Provide supervision and training within an American Psychological Association (APA) accredited psychology doctoral internship program. Participate in meetings and Center research and evaluation.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- Licensed as a psychologist in California (or license-eligible in California). Must be licensed as a psychologist in another US state or territory, or equivalent jurisdiction, if not in possession of a current CA license by start date.
- Ph.D. or Psy.D. in Counseling or Clinical Psychology from an APA accredited doctoral program.
- Completion of a psychology internship program.
- General knowledge of psychological assessment.
- Knowledge of Federal and California laws governing the practice of psychology and privacy practices in post-secondary educational institutions.
- Extensive consultation and outreach experience, program development and evaluation including training faculty, staff and students.
- Experience in group psychotherapy including couples and families.
- Training and experience in time limited psychotherapy, crisis response, substance/alcohol problems.
- Experience and interest in working with university students from multicultural backgrounds.
- Experience with electronic medical record keeping and documentation.
- Ability to collaborate with the Campus Community consisting of Faculty, Staff, and Students.
- Excellent interpersonal skills to create and maintain effective working relationships with administrators and a diverse range of constituents, including faculty and staff.
- Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion, sound judgement, and maintain strict confidentiality in the performance of all duties at all times.
- Verification of completion of CA continuing education requirements for supervision Documentation or attestation of the provision of psychological services for at least ten (10) outpatients or inpatients during the past three (3) years required for initial hire.
- Hiring is contingent upon verification of licensure, successful completion of credentialing background check, and successful completion of privileging process.
Preferred:
- Three post-licensure years of clinical/counseling experience in the field of psychology.
- Completion of an APA accredited Internship Program.
- Supervision experience with psychology doctoral interns, preferably in an APA accredited program.
- Interest in the application and integration of social justice in counseling center work.
- Special training, interest and/or experience including but not limited to working with LGBTQ Student populations.
- Experience or area of interest in working with transgender and gender non-conforming populations and providing affirming mental health services to this population (including writing letters of support when needed).
- A minimum of 3 years of experience post-licensure years of clinical/counseling experience in the field of psychology.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS:
This position's schedule is generally M-F during traditional work hours. However, weekends or non-traditional work hours may be required for special projects, at busy times of the year, or when strict deadlines must be met. Hybrid work options may be available depending on operational needs of the center.
TOTAL REWARDS:
In addition to the salary range listed below, we offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks. Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our compensation practices and benefits.
The expected pay range for this recruitment is $123,063.69 - $130,590.59 (Annual).
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
The University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for the entire UCI community. As part of this commitment, all applicants who accept an offer of employment must comply with the following conditions of employment:
- Background Check and Live Scan
- Employment Misconduct
- Legal Right to work in the United States
- Vaccination Policies
- Smoking and Tobacco Policy
- Drug Free Environment
- Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
The following additional conditions may apply, some of which are dependent upon business unit or job specific requirements:
- California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
- E-Verify
- Pre-Placement Health Evaluation
Details of each policy may be reviewed by visiting the following page - https://hr.uci.edu/new-hire/conditions-of-employment.php
CLOSING STATEMENT:
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.
We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.
UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact Human Resources at (949) 824-0500 or eec@uci.edu.
Overview:
Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide.
The UCI Counseling Center is committed to delivering quality services that help students achieve optimal mental health for academic success, personal growth, and increased capacity to cope with the stresses of being a university student. The Counseling Center also provides training and learning opportunities to prepare future leaders in mental health and other service-oriented positions. The vision of the Counseling Center is to elevate the student experience and create pathways to success through a wide range of multiculturally based clinical, outreach, prevention, and training services. Our Values include: Service, Community, Inclusion & Advocacy, and Integrity & Accountability.
Responsibilities:
NOTE: We are hiring for 2 positions with the same duties.
The emphasis of this position is on direct services to students as a generalist counseling psychologist and the position specializes in the services including, but not limited to, working with LGBTQ Student populations. Conduct initial assessments, time limited individual, couple and group psychotherapy; urgent care services; crisis response; consultation and outreach in a university counseling center. This position serves as one of the primary liaison(s) to the LGBT Resource Center on the campus. Responsibilities also include assisting in generating programs, workshops, groups, and services targeting the UCI LGBTQ+ student population. The incumbent may also assist with coordination of the LGBTQ Mentoring program. They would assist in generating programs, workshops, groups, and services targeting the UCI LGBTQ+ student population. Provide supervision and training within an American Psychological Association (APA) accredited psychology doctoral internship program. Participate in meetings and Center research and evaluation.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- Licensed as a psychologist in California (or license-eligible in California). Must be licensed as a psychologist in another US state or territory, or equivalent jurisdiction, if not in possession of a current CA license by start date.
- Ph.D. or Psy.D. in Counseling or Clinical Psychology from an APA accredited doctoral program.
- Completion of a psychology internship program.
- General knowledge of psychological assessment.
- Knowledge of Federal and California laws governing the practice of psychology and privacy practices in post-secondary educational institutions.
- Extensive consultation and outreach experience, program development and evaluation including training faculty, staff and students.
- Experience in group psychotherapy including couples and families.
- Training and experience in time limited psychotherapy, crisis response, substance/alcohol problems.
- Experience and interest in working with university students from multicultural backgrounds.
- Experience with electronic medical record keeping and documentation.
- Ability to collaborate with the Campus Community consisting of Faculty, Staff, and Students.
- Excellent interpersonal skills to create and maintain effective working relationships with administrators and a diverse range of constituents, including faculty and staff.
- Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion, sound judgement, and maintain strict confidentiality in the performance of all duties at all times.
- Verification of completion of CA continuing education requirements for supervision Documentation or attestation of the provision of psychological services for at least ten (10) outpatients or inpatients during the past three (3) years required for initial hire.
- Hiring is contingent upon verification of licensure, successful completion of credentialing background check, and successful completion of privileging process.
Preferred:
- Three post-licensure years of clinical/counseling experience in the field of psychology.
- Completion of an APA accredited Internship Program.
- Supervision experience with psychology doctoral interns, preferably in an APA accredited program.
- Interest in the application and integration of social justice in counseling center work.
- Special training, interest and/or experience including but not limited to working with LGBTQ Student populations.
- Experience or area of interest in working with transgender and gender non-conforming populations and providing affirming mental health services to this population (including writing letters of support when needed).
- A minimum of 3 years of experience post-licensure years of clinical/counseling experience in the field of psychology.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS:
This position's schedule is generally M-F during traditional work hours. However, weekends or non-traditional work hours may be required for special projects, at busy times of the year, or when strict deadlines must be met. Hybrid work options may be available depending on operational needs of the center.
TOTAL REWARDS:
In addition to the salary range listed below, we offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks. Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our compensation practices and benefits.
The expected pay range for this recruitment is $123,063.69 - $130,590.59 (Annual).
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
The University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for the entire UCI community. As part of this commitment, all applicants who accept an offer of employment must comply with the following conditions of employment:
- Background Check and Live Scan
- Employment Misconduct
- Legal Right to work in the United States
- Vaccination Policies
- Smoking and Tobacco Policy
- Drug Free Environment
- Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
The following additional conditions may apply, some of which are dependent upon business unit or job specific requirements:
- California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
- E-Verify
- Pre-Placement Health Evaluation
Details of each policy may be reviewed by visiting the following page - https://hr.uci.edu/new-hire/conditions-of-employment.php
CLOSING STATEMENT:
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.
We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.
UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact Human Resources at (949) 824-0500 or eec@uci.edu.
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Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Counseling Psychologist roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Counseling Psychologist Jobs
Target employers with H-1B filing history
Hospitals, university counseling centers, and large behavioral health networks file H-1B petitions regularly. Focusing your search on these employer types significantly increases your chances of finding a role with genuine sponsorship willingness and an established immigration process.
Confirm your degree meets specialty occupation standards
USCIS requires a U.S. master's or doctoral degree in counseling psychology, or a foreign equivalent. A three-year bachelor's degree alone typically won't qualify. Confirm your credential evaluation shows equivalency to a U.S. graduate degree before applying to sponsored roles.
Address licensure requirements early
Most counseling psychologist positions require state licensure, which usually demands supervised postdoctoral hours. Some employers will sponsor your H-1B while you complete licensure requirements, but confirm this explicitly during interviews before accepting any offer.
Understand how your visa status affects the H-1B timeline
If you're on F-1 OPT or STEM OPT, your employer can file your H-1B during a regular cap season without disrupting your work authorization. Understanding these transitions helps you and your employer plan the sponsorship process without gaps in employment.
Be prepared to discuss your postdoctoral supervision status
Employers sponsoring international counseling psychologists often ask about your supervised hours and licensure exam status. Coming to interviews with a clear timeline for completing licensure demonstrates professional readiness and reduces perceived risk for sponsors.
Use Migrate Mate to find verified sponsoring employers
Migrate Mate filters counseling psychology roles by sponsorship availability, so you're not wasting applications on employers who won't sponsor. Browsing verified listings removes the uncertainty of cold-applying to jobs with no clear immigration support in place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a counseling psychologist get H-1B sponsorship without a doctoral degree?
It's uncommon. Most counseling psychologist roles require a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) to satisfy the H-1B visa specialty occupation standard. Some employers may accept a master's degree for counselor-adjacent roles, but the specific job title of counseling psychologist typically demands doctoral-level credentials for a successful H-1B petition.
Do counseling psychologist roles at universities have better sponsorship options than hospitals?
University counseling centers are often cap-exempt H-1B employers, meaning they can file petitions year-round and aren't subject to the annual lottery. This is a significant advantage over hospital or private practice roles, which must compete in the cap. Roles at nonprofit research hospitals may also qualify for cap-exempt status.
How does state licensure affect my H-1B petition as a counseling psychologist?
USCIS may request proof of licensure eligibility as part of the H-1B specialty occupation review. If you're not yet fully licensed, your employer's attorney should document that you meet all educational requirements and are actively pursuing licensure. Some states issue temporary licenses for supervised practice, which can support the petition during postdoctoral hours completion.
What visa options exist for counseling psychologists beyond the H-1B?
O-1A is available for counseling psychologists with documented extraordinary ability, such as published research, clinical leadership recognition, or academic honors. TN visa status applies to Canadian and Mexican nationals with a psychology doctorate. Australian citizens may qualify for the E-3 visa. Each path has distinct requirements, so your eligibility depends on nationality and career profile.
Where can I find counseling psychologist jobs that offer visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate lists counseling psychology roles filtered specifically by sponsorship availability, so you can browse opportunities without sifting through employers who won't support an H-1B or other visa. This is especially useful given that sponsorship willingness in behavioral health roles varies significantly by employer type, size, and institutional immigration infrastructure.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Counseling Psychologist jobs?
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.