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Case manager internship vs mental health counselor

The differences between case manager interns and mental health counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a case manager internship, becoming a mental health counselor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a case manager internship has an average salary of $54,026, which is higher than the $49,471 average annual salary of a mental health counselor.

The top three skills for a case manager internship include intake assessments, social work and crisis intervention. The most important skills for a mental health counselor are social work, patients, and crisis intervention.

Case manager internship vs mental health counselor overview

Case Manager InternshipMental Health Counselor
Yearly salary$54,026$49,471
Hourly rate$25.97$23.78
Growth rate12%9%
Number of jobs96,904110,752
Job satisfaction-2
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age4341
Years of experience124

What does a case manager internship do?

A Case Management Intern helps draft case studies, perform preliminary client assessments, and create summaries and recommendations. They work alongside licensed social workers in a company's HR department. Interns are responsible for contacting organizations and welfare services, orienting clients in potential benefit claims, and bringing them to government programs. Social work is an intensive interpersonal job, and people who get in these positions have degrees in line with this work.

What does a mental health counselor do?

A mental health counselor is responsible for helping patients deal with their emotional and mental disorders by developing treatment plans and conducting regular counseling to track the patient's progress and condition. Mental health counselors encourage active communication from their patients, provide coping strategies for triggering situations, seek advice from other health care professionals, and guide patients on doing other activities that would help them relax. A mental health counselor must have excellent knowledge of the mental health disciplines to assist patients in their healthy lifestyle development.

Case manager internship vs mental health counselor salary

Case manager interns and mental health counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Case Manager InternshipMental Health Counselor
Average salary$54,026$49,471
Salary rangeBetween $42,000 And $69,000Between $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 case manager internship and mental health counselor education

There are a few differences between a case manager internship and a mental health counselor in terms of educational background:

Case Manager InternshipMental Health Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorSocial WorkPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Case manager internship vs mental health counselor demographics

Here are the differences between case manager interns' and mental health counselors' demographics:

Case Manager InternshipMental Health Counselor
Average age4341
Gender ratioMale, 20.4% Female, 79.6%Male, 31.4% Female, 68.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.4% Asian, 7.0% White, 53.0% 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 Percentage11%15%

Differences between case manager internship and mental health counselor duties and responsibilities

Case manager internship example responsibilities.

  • Review and research leads regarding personal injury cases by obtaining information from the Medicaid recipient's attorney and insurance adjuster
  • Grant access to electronic medical record databases to process utilization reviews in a timely and accurate manner while remaining HIPAA compliant.
  • Work closely with paraprofessionals and clinical/professional staff to maintain communication and provide feedback, standardize procedure and expedite PCP implementation.

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

Case manager internship vs mental health counselor skills

Common case manager internship skills
  • Intake Assessments, 13%
  • Social Work, 12%
  • Crisis Intervention, 9%
  • Substance Abuse, 8%
  • Mental Health, 7%
  • Child Abuse, 5%
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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