Addictions counselor vs mental health therapist

The differences between addictions counselors and mental health therapists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an addictions counselor, becoming a mental health therapist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a mental health therapist has an average salary of $50,259, which is higher than the $47,226 average annual salary of an addictions counselor.

The top three skills for an addictions counselor include patients, social work and chemical dependency. The most important skills for a mental health therapist are social work, patients, and mental health.

Addictions counselor vs mental health therapist overview

	Addictions Counselor	Mental Health Therapist
Yearly salary	$47,226	$50,259
Hourly rate	$22.70	$24.16
Growth rate	12%	9%
Number of jobs	79,459	114,386
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Master's Degree, 49%
Average age	39	45
Years of experience	6	4

What does an addictions counselor do?

An Addictions Counselor helps patients overcome personal addiction problems, such as dependence on drugs, alcohol, and other substances. They evaluate the condition of their client through examining, asking questions, and recommending the proper treatment options.

What does a mental health therapist do?

The job of mental health therapists is to guide individuals, groups, couples, and families with problems that are impacting their well-being and mental health. Their duties and responsibilities include encouraging clients to talk about their experiences, examining issues that may affect mental health such as substance abuse and bullying, and assisting clients in defining their goals and action plans. Mental health therapists are also responsible for developing therapeutic processes, referring clients to other services or resources like psychologists, and helping them adjust to life changes.

Addictions counselor vs mental health therapist salary

Addictions counselors and mental health therapists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Addictions Counselor	Mental Health Therapist
Average salary	$47,226	$50,259
Salary range	Between $32,000 And $68,000	Between $35,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City	Philadelphia, PA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Pennsylvania	Connecticut
Best paying company	Wellpath	Tykes And Teens
Best paying industry	Non Profits	Non Profits

Differences between addictions counselor and mental health therapist education

There are a few differences between an addictions counselor and a mental health therapist in terms of educational background:

	Addictions Counselor	Mental Health Therapist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Master's Degree, 49%
Most common major	Psychology	Social Work
Most common college	Hunter College of the City University of New York	California State University - Long Beach

Addictions counselor vs mental health therapist demographics

Here are the differences between addictions counselors' and mental health therapists' demographics:

	Addictions Counselor	Mental Health Therapist
Average age	39	45
Gender ratio	Male, 35.4% Female, 64.6%	Male, 23.3% Female, 76.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 4.6% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 3.1% White, 74.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	12%	15%

Differences between addictions counselor and mental health therapist duties and responsibilities

Addictions counselor example responsibilities.

Ensure and manage the compliance with Didi Hirsch policies and procedures, contracts and other regulatory agencies, HIPAA and DMH.
Develop treatment plans and recommend a level of care within ASAM and DSM-IV guidelines, and approve requirements.
Restore patients to productive roles by educating them about available community base organizations, and social and employment services.
Perform initial evaluations and intakes, make eligibility determinations, conduct rehabilitation planning and problem solving, and counseling.
Provide drug, alcohol, and rehabilitation counseling and education in a residential therapeutic community for female drug offenders.
Serve as an advocate for family with private/public school-relate agencies (IEP meetings/education plans).

Mental health therapist example responsibilities.

Create and lead PTSD group for women, depression and stress management groups for men and women.
Collaborate with patients to develop individualize treatment plans and evaluate plans periodically to monitor progress towards achieving identify goals and objectives.
Provide clinical supervision for MFT intern and participate in peer to peer reviews.
Receive training in diagnoses, physical restraints and CPR.
Care for children with autism and document daily data collection.
Utilize therapy techniques from various modalities including EMDR, TF-CBT, and DBT

Addictions counselor vs mental health therapist skills

Common addictions counselor skills

Patients, 18%
Social Work, 12%
Chemical Dependency, 6%
Crisis Intervention, 6%
Substance Abuse Treatment, 5%
Intake Assessments, 4%

Common mental health therapist skills

Social Work, 35%
Patients, 10%
Mental Health, 6%
Group Therapy Sessions, 5%
Mental Health Issues, 3%
Community Resources, 3%

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Addictions Counselor
Addictions Counselor vs Mental Health Therapist

Updated January 8, 2025

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