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Behavioral analyst vs mental health specialist

The differences between behavioral analysts and mental health specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a behavioral analyst, becoming a mental health specialist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a behavioral analyst has an average salary of $69,468, which is higher than the $47,321 average annual salary of a mental health specialist.

The top three skills for a behavioral analyst include autism, BCBA and applied behavior analysis. The most important skills for a mental health specialist are patients, social work, and rehabilitation.

Behavioral analyst vs mental health specialist overview

Behavioral AnalystMental Health Specialist
Yearly salary$69,468$47,321
Hourly rate$33.40$22.75
Growth rate12%9%
Number of jobs66,538131,449
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age3945
Years of experience64

What does a behavioral analyst do?

Behavioral Analyst supports and implements a plan to help patients overcome social and mental disabilities. They are involved in assessing patients' behavior in school, homes, or communities, implementing behavioral plans, updating therapy notes to track progress, and communicating with staff, families, and teachers in relaying the client's needs. A behavioral analyst must have good knowledge in applied behavior analysis, proficient report writing, and have comprehension in creating individualized education programs to help improve client behavior.

What does a mental health specialist do?

A mental health specialist is responsible for evaluating a patient's mental health condition and develop appropriate treatment plans to help the patients cope up with their mental difficulties. Mental health specialists provide counseling to the patients, listening to their situation, and responding with the utmost consideration. They also create regular progress reports and medical charts to monitor ongoing medication, updating treatment plans as needed. A mental health specialist must have excellent communication and organization skills, helping the patients deal with their mental stress and return to a healthy lifestyle.

Behavioral analyst vs mental health specialist salary

Behavioral analysts and mental health specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Behavioral AnalystMental Health Specialist
Average salary$69,468$47,321
Salary rangeBetween $42,000 And $112,000Between $31,000 And $71,000
Highest paying CityPortland, ORSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaCalifornia
Best paying companyTherapy SourceResearch Foundation For Mental Hygiene Inc
Best paying industryHealth CareGovernment

Differences between behavioral analyst and mental health specialist education

There are a few differences between a behavioral analyst and a mental health specialist in terms of educational background:

Behavioral AnalystMental Health Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Behavioral analyst vs mental health specialist demographics

Here are the differences between behavioral analysts' and mental health specialists' demographics:

Behavioral AnalystMental Health Specialist
Average age3945
Gender ratioMale, 38.4% Female, 61.6%Male, 32.9% Female, 67.1%
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, 7.9% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 3.1% White, 74.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage12%15%

Differences between behavioral analyst and mental health specialist duties and responsibilities

Behavioral analyst example responsibilities.

  • Observe patients and strategically prepare and manage clinical analysis of individuals and their progress in conjunction with formulate behavior goals.
  • Collaborate with treatment team including client, parents and caregivers, outside professionals, ABA's, and co-workers.
  • Assist high functioning autism children develop academic and social skills need to be successful by: helping with homework and playing games
  • Prepare young children with autism to succeed in mainstream educational environments.
  • Facilitate positive consumer and personal relationships base on positive consumer and personal relationships base on courtesy, compassion, and respect.
  • Provide model activities and conduct treatment interventions establish by the IIC define in individual treatment plans.

Mental health specialist example responsibilities.

  • Provide individualize intervention for problematic behaviors using TCI techniques such as de-escalation, to prevent and/or manage crisis.
  • Assist and encourage patients with ADL's including feeding, ambulating, and hygiene to promote patient care.
  • Utilize rehabilitation principles to support individuals, families and communities in developing effective strategies to improve client mental health functioning.
  • Provide psychological care to patients in an in-patient psych unit, including facilitating group activities, crisis intervention, implementing therapeutic approaches
  • Meet physical requirements to complete SAMA and CPR training.
  • Provide kindness and compassion to the deceased and their families.
  • Show more

Behavioral analyst vs mental health specialist skills

Common behavioral analyst skills
  • Autism, 24%
  • BCBA, 16%
  • Applied Behavior Analysis, 14%
  • Developmental Disabilities, 7%
  • Behavioral Therapy, 6%
  • ABA, 6%
Common mental health specialist skills
  • Patients, 19%
  • Social Work, 11%
  • Rehabilitation, 6%
  • Mental Health, 5%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Vital Signs, 4%

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