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Adult school counselor vs mental health counselor

The differences between adult school counselors and mental health counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an adult school counselor, becoming a mental health counselor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an adult school counselor has an average salary of $51,207, which is higher than the $49,471 average annual salary of a mental health counselor.

The top three skills for an adult school counselor include social work, substance abuse and community resources. The most important skills for a mental health counselor are social work, patients, and crisis intervention.

Adult school counselor vs mental health counselor overview

Adult School CounselorMental Health Counselor
Yearly salary$51,207$49,471
Hourly rate$24.62$23.78
Growth rate10%9%
Number of jobs48,781110,752
Job satisfaction-2
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age3941
Years of experience64

Adult school counselor vs mental health counselor salary

Adult school counselors and mental health counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Adult School CounselorMental Health Counselor
Average salary$51,207$49,471
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $68,000Between $34,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City-Longview, WA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Family Life Counseling & Psychiatric Services
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between adult school counselor and mental health counselor education

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

Adult School CounselorMental Health Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Adult school counselor vs mental health counselor demographics

Here are the differences between adult school counselors' and mental health counselors' demographics:

Adult School CounselorMental Health Counselor
Average age3941
Gender ratioMale, 31.1% Female, 68.9%Male, 31.4% Female, 68.6%
Race ratioBlack 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, 11.3% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 3.2% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage12%15%

Differences between adult school counselor and mental health counselor duties and responsibilities

Adult school counselor example responsibilities.

  • Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
  • Work towards empowering juveniles and their families to support a positive lifestyle by providing strength base intensive intervention and rehabilitation services.
  • Organize and lead regular youth and college bible studies, teaching about prayer and promoting spirituality.

Mental health counselor example responsibilities.

  • Provide clinical consultation to consumers and clients regarding manage care services and other benefits available to them through their EAP programs.
  • Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
  • Certify in CPI (crisis intervention technique).
  • Assist with crisis intervention, (CPI) maintains treatment activities.
  • Provide mental health assessment and evaluation of detainees refer by facility staff or identify by pre-screening (booking or nursing).
  • Assess for special needs during booking process.
  • Show more

Adult school counselor vs mental health counselor skills

Common adult school counselor skills
  • Social Work, 24%
  • Substance Abuse, 22%
  • Community Resources, 15%
  • Group Therapy, 10%
  • Discharge Planning, 3%
  • Social Services, 3%
Common mental health counselor skills
  • Social Work, 17%
  • Patients, 16%
  • Crisis Intervention, 9%
  • Patient Care, 6%
  • Mental Health Issues, 5%
  • Rehabilitation, 4%

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