Addictions counselor assistant vs clinical counselor

The differences between addictions counselor assistants and clinical counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become an addictions counselor assistant, becoming a clinical counselor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a clinical counselor has an average salary of $54,191, which is higher than the $46,799 average annual salary of an addictions counselor assistant.

The top three skills for an addictions counselor assistant include patients, social work and substance abuse. The most important skills for a clinical counselor are social work, patients, and foster care.

Addictions counselor assistant vs clinical counselor overview

	Addictions Counselor Assistant	Clinical Counselor
Yearly salary	$46,799	$54,191
Hourly rate	$22.50	$26.05
Growth rate	12%	17%
Number of jobs	86,506	146,133
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age	43	41
Years of experience	12	4

What does an addictions counselor assistant do?

An addictions counselor assistant works with a head counselor to provide support to patients suffering from addiction. They deal with the clerical and administrative side of running a counseling firm. This includes managing data, maintaining confidentiality of patient information, monitoring adherence to government regulations, and assisting with patients' treatment.

What does a clinical counselor do?

A Clinical Counselor interviews clients to assess their mental health and behavioral problems. They examine issues such as substance abuse, depression, stress, aging and self-image.

Addictions counselor assistant vs clinical counselor salary

Addictions counselor assistants and clinical counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Addictions Counselor Assistant	Clinical Counselor
Average salary	$46,799	$54,191
Salary range	Between $34,000 And $64,000	Between $43,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City	Bellevue, WA	Bethesda, MD
Highest paying state	Maryland	Maryland
Best paying company	Chino Valley Unified School District	Novo Nordisk
Best paying industry	Education	Professional

Differences between addictions counselor assistant and clinical counselor education

There are a few differences between an addictions counselor assistant and a clinical counselor in terms of educational background:

	Addictions Counselor Assistant	Clinical Counselor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	Northwestern University	California State University - Long Beach

Addictions counselor assistant vs clinical counselor demographics

Here are the differences between addictions counselor assistants' and clinical counselors' demographics:

	Addictions Counselor Assistant	Clinical Counselor
Average age	43	41
Gender ratio	Male, 31.6% Female, 68.4%	Male, 28.4% Female, 71.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 7.1% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%	Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 3.2% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	11%	15%

Differences between addictions counselor assistant and clinical counselor duties and responsibilities

Addictions counselor assistant example responsibilities.

Certify in CPR and CPI.
Med certiffy, CPR certify.
Work on PowerPoint presentations, and coordinate the presentations with board activity.
Maintain strict confidentially of client information in accordance with HIPPA and PII policy.
Maintain data entry of office and patient records, while maintaining HIPPA compliance and patient confidentiality.
Conduct in-person assessments to employees formally refer to the employee assistance program (EAP) and formulate treatment goals and plans.

Clinical counselor example responsibilities.

Manage a caseload of individuals in programs design to provide vocational rehabilitation and other services to the developmentally disable.
Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
Perform client intake assessments and conduct monthly assessments to identify progress of patients and determine individuals ready to graduate from program.
Review charts to ensure that they are in compliance with OASAS standards.
Initial assessment, diagnosis, ASAM criteria, treatment planning , 3rd party contact, group and individual therapy.
Maintain appropriate documentation per NYS OASAS regulations and APG guidelines

Addictions counselor assistant vs clinical counselor skills

Common addictions counselor assistant skills

Patients, 24%
Social Work, 11%
Substance Abuse, 9%
Crisis Intervention, 8%
Chemical Dependency, 4%
PowerPoint, 4%

Common clinical counselor skills

Social Work, 36%
Patients, 8%
Foster Care, 7%
Independent Living, 6%
Child Abuse, 4%
Clinical Services, 3%

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Addictions Counselor Assistant
Addictions Counselor Assistant vs Clinical Counselor

Updated January 8, 2025

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