Mental Health Counseling Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Mental health counseling roles sponsor H-1B visas when the position requires a master's degree in counseling or a related clinical field. Licensure requirements vary by state, and many employers will sponsor while you complete supervised hours toward full licensure. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Position Announcement
The Department of Psychology and Counseling at Utah Valley University invites applications for an ongoing lecturer in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC). The lecturer position is a full-time, teaching-focused position with a 5-5 course load within the CACREP-accredited Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, with the possibility of teaching select undergraduate psychology courses as needed. The CMHC program is a 60-credit-hour program that prepares students for licensure as Clinical Mental Health Counselors and is committed to training ethical, competent, and culturally responsive practitioners.
The successful candidate will be able to teach graduate-level courses, including ACA Ethics, Research and Program Evaluation, Practicum, Internship, and other courses as assigned. Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate knowledge of CACREP accreditation standards and a commitment to upholding the program’s accredited status. We seek a candidate with strong knowledge of counseling theories, evidence-based practices, ethical standards, and clinical supervision who is passionate about counselor education and committed to student development.
The successful candidate will demonstrate expertise in pedagogy and instructional practices relevant to counselor education, with a strong ability to deliver instruction across multiple modalities, including face-to-face, hybrid, and online formats. We value educators who employ innovative instructional strategies and experiential learning techniques that enhance student engagement, clinical skill development, and professional identity formation.
We seek individuals who are not only willing to reflect on and refine their teaching practices based on feedback, training, or scholarship but also who actively collaborate and communicate respectfully with colleagues, students, staff, and community site partners. The successful applicant will join a vibrant academic community dedicated to fostering a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment for all students.
Application Materials
Submit (1) a cover letter that outlines how the candidate meets the job requirements, (2) a curriculum vitae, (3) unofficial transcripts, (4) a teaching statement that addresses the candidate’s philosophy and experience with counselor education, and (5) student evaluations of teaching from the three most recent years, as applicable. References will be solicited later in the hiring process.
About UVU
Utah Valley University (UVU) is a bastion of unity, academic excellence, personal and professional development, and community engagement. UVU’s ethos, summarized in the phrase “A Place For You”, attracts individuals who support student success and a hands-on approach to improving the future of higher learning. Dive into the array of career prospects at UVU, where you can contribute to the institution’s enduring legacy.
The UVU Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is a CACREP-accredited 60-credit-hour master’s program housed within the Department of Psychology and Counseling. The program launched in Fall 2021 and is dedicated to training competent, ethical, and culturally responsive counselors. The department also includes a thriving undergraduate psychology program with nearly 2,000 students and 20 full-time faculty. Faculty across the department are collaborative academics who mentor students in their scholarly and professional activities.
UVU is a rapidly growing regional university of more than 40,000 students and is located in Orem, Utah—about 40 miles south of Salt Lake City. UVU is also near Utah’s emerging cluster of tech companies and start-ups, the Silicon Slopes, which include notable companies such as Adobe, Cisco, Facebook, and more. Central Utah boasts fine restaurants and cultural events and access to world-class ski resorts, hiking, fishing, biking, and other outdoor activities. Nearby world-renowned National Parks and recreation areas include Canyonlands, Arches, Zion, Bryce Canyon, the Wasatch Mountain range, the Uinta mountains and wilderness area—all within 1 to 4 hour drives. Grand Canyon National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, Denver, and Las Vegas are all within a day’s drive. Nearby ski resorts include Alta, Brighton, Deer Valley, Park City, Snowbird, Solitude, and Sundance.
UVU Benefits:
- 14.2% Retirement Contribution
- Tuition waivers
- HSA Contribution
- Affordable medical, dental, and vision plans
- Employee Wellness Program
- Employee Assistance Program (Eight free therapy sessions per qualifying event)
Due to laws surrounding wage-based benefits and taxes, employees must perform their UVU work within the boundaries of the state of Utah.
Summary of Responsibilities
- Teaching and grading of coursework, including holding regular office hours and engaging in student mentoring.
- Designing, reviewing, and revising curriculum and courses according to the needs and guidelines of their department, college/school, and the University.
- Further development of pedagogical skills to enhance their course content and materials.
- Attending required meetings and trainings.
Qualifications / Licenses / Certifications
- A master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is required by the start date of the position.
- Candidates who hold a degree from a CACREP-accredited program are strongly preferred.
- Candidates must be eligible for or hold licensure as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CMHC) or equivalent in the state of Utah.
- Due to laws surrounding wage-based benefits and taxes, employees must perform their UVU work within the boundaries of the state of Utah.
Preferred Qualifications
- A doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) in Counselor Education and Supervision (CES) or a closely related field.
- Clinical experience in mental health settings, experience with clinical supervision of counselors-in-training, and familiarity with CACREP accreditation processes and standards are highly desirable.
- Lecturer has a history of demonstrating respect for students and colleagues both inside and outside the classroom.
Licenses or Certifications
A license as a CMHC in Utah or a license-eligible.
Documents Needed to Apply
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Teaching Philosophy
- Unofficial Transcripts
- SRI/Student Rating of Instruction
Knowledge / Skills / Abilities
Knowledge
- Knowledge of subject matter and course content in clinical mental health counseling at the discretion of the department.
- Knowledge and skill in current instructional theories, strategies, techniques and content.
- Knowledge of CACREP accreditation processes and clinical practice.
- Knowledge of the principles and methodology of in-person, hybrid, and distance education models.
Skills
- Skills in teaching as demonstrated through effective instructional strategies and techniques.
- Skills in maintaining a positive and engaging learning environment for students.
- Effective oral and written communication skills.
- Excellent community relations skills.
- Excellent clinical supervision skills.
- Skilled in time management and organization.
Abilities
- The ongoing lecturer position is a full-time, teaching-focused position with a 5-5 course load within the CACREP-accredited Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, with the possibility of teaching select undergraduate psychology courses as needed.
- Lecturer will be able to teach graduate-level courses including ACA Ethics, Research and Program Evaluation, Practicum, Internship, and other courses as assigned.
- Lecturer should demonstrate knowledge of CACREP accreditation standards and a commitment to upholding the program’s accredited status.
EEO Statement:
UVU employment decisions are made on the basis of an applicant’s qualifications and ability to perform the job without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and over), disability, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, or pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or other bases protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Mental Health Counseling Jobs
Target employers with established H-1B histories
Hospital systems, federally qualified health centers, and large behavioral health networks file H-1B petitions regularly. These employers have legal infrastructure in place, which makes the sponsorship process faster and less uncertain for you.
Clarify your licensure status upfront
State licensure requirements directly affect whether an employer will sponsor you. Be transparent about whether you hold a full license, a provisional license, or are still completing supervised hours before applying to roles.
Highlight your master's degree field precisely
H-1B eligibility for counseling roles depends on degree-to-job alignment. Degrees in clinical mental health counseling, counseling psychology, or social work carry stronger specialty occupation arguments than broader behavioral science degrees.
Pursue nonprofit and government employers for cap-exempt sponsorship
Employers affiliated with universities, nonprofits, or government research institutions are exempt from the H-1B annual cap. This means year-round filing with no lottery risk, which significantly improves your chances of getting sponsored.
Ask about sponsorship during the offer stage, not after
Many behavioral health employers will sponsor but don't advertise it. Raising the question at the offer stage, once they're committed to hiring you, is far more effective than asking during an initial screening call.
Use Migrate Mate to filter roles that already sponsor
Browsing general job boards wastes time on roles that won't sponsor. Migrate Mate surfaces mental health counseling positions from employers with active visa sponsorship history, so you're only applying where it's actually possible.
Mental Health Counseling jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Mental Health Counseling JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does mental health counseling qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, in most cases. USCIS has approved H-1B petitions for mental health counselors where the employer can demonstrate a master's degree in counseling, psychology, or a directly related field is the minimum requirement for the role. Positions that accept any bachelor's degree regardless of field are harder to support. Clinical roles at hospitals or licensed outpatient programs tend to have the strongest specialty occupation arguments.
Can an employer sponsor me for an H-1B if I don't yet have full licensure?
Yes. Many employers sponsor mental health counselors who are working toward full licensure under a provisional or associate license. The H-1B covers the role itself, not the license. Your employer will need to show the position requires a relevant master's degree. Some states allow supervised practice under a temporary license, and employers factor that into their hiring plans when sponsoring international candidates.
Which types of mental health employers are most likely to sponsor visas?
Federally qualified health centers, VA medical centers, hospital-based behavioral health departments, and university counseling centers are the most active sponsors. These organizations file H-1B petitions routinely and often qualify as cap-exempt filers, meaning you avoid the lottery entirely. Community mental health organizations with federal or state funding contracts also sponsor regularly. Browse Migrate Mate to find roles specifically from employers with verified sponsorship histories.
My degree is in social work rather than counseling. Can I still get sponsored?
It depends on the role. A master's in social work (MSW) supports H-1B sponsorship for clinical social worker positions and many licensed counseling roles, provided the employer's job description aligns with social work practice. The key is degree-to-job fit. Roles explicitly requiring a counseling license tied to a counseling-specific degree may be harder to argue on an MSW alone. Titles like Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) map cleanly to MSW degrees.
Are O-1 or EB-1 visas realistic for mental health counselors?
O-1 and EB-1 visas are rarely viable for most mental health counselors. These categories require demonstrating extraordinary ability through national or international recognition, published research, awards, or significant contributions to the field. Clinicians who have authored research, led notable programs, or received professional recognition may have a case, but standard clinical practice credentials don't meet the threshold. The H-1B or, for qualifying nationalities, the TN visa are the realistic primary paths.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Mental Health Counseling 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.
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