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Case planner vs family therapist

The differences between case planners and family therapists 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 planner, becoming a family therapist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a family therapist has an average salary of $50,774, which is higher than the $43,496 average annual salary of a case planner.

The top three skills for a case planner include social work, foster care and NYC. The most important skills for a family therapist are social work, patients, and rehabilitation.

Case planner vs family therapist overview

Case PlannerFamily Therapist
Yearly salary$43,496$50,774
Hourly rate$20.91$24.41
Growth rate12%14%
Number of jobs36,065106,982
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4341
Years of experience124

What does a case planner do?

Case planners are social workers who provide assistance to children and their families to improve their social and psychological functioning as well as maximize the well-being of families. These planners are required to design service plans that address the safety, behavioral, education, and permanency needs of families and adolescents. They must identify potential child abuse and report any suspected abuses to the appropriate authorities. Case planners must also facilitate counseling to domestic violence victims and assist families in obtaining protection orders from victim service nonprofit organizations.

What does a family therapist do?

A Family Therapist works with couples and families to help ameliorate marital and family issues. They can work in hospitals, treatment programs, government agencies, health organizations, and private practices.

Case planner vs family therapist salary

Case planners and family therapists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Case PlannerFamily Therapist
Average salary$43,496$50,774
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $57,000Between $37,000 And $67,000
Highest paying CityIslandia, NYRochester, NY
Highest paying stateNew JerseyOregon
Best paying companyThe New York FoundlingDignity Health
Best paying industryProfessionalHealth Care

Differences between case planner and family therapist education

There are a few differences between a case planner and a family therapist in terms of educational background:

Case PlannerFamily Therapist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Case planner vs family therapist demographics

Here are the differences between case planners' and family therapists' demographics:

Case PlannerFamily Therapist
Average age4341
Gender ratioMale, 19.2% Female, 80.8%Male, 25.8% Female, 74.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 25.9% Asian, 6.1% White, 48.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%Black or African American, 7.0% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 4.6% White, 68.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage11%6%

Differences between case planner and family therapist duties and responsibilities

Case planner example responsibilities.

  • Manage a caseload of families with children in DSS custody awaiting return home to family of origin base upon progress make.
  • Keep current on Medicaid rates/services they will reimburse for Medicaid recipients.
  • Sign patients up for all Medicare and Medicaid benefits that are offer to them.
  • Perform concurrent review to assure appropriateness of admission, inpatient/acute care, rehabilitation/SNF status, and discharge using establish InterQual guidelines.
  • Make referrals to home care and/or DME vendors using Medicare/Medicaid criteria/eligibility.

Family therapist example responsibilities.

  • Complete documentation to medicaid standards.
  • Create maximum billable Medicaid hours and submitting necessary paperwork for Medicaid billing.
  • Apply behavioral analysis instruction for a student with autism concentrating on communication, socialization, self-help skills and community skills.
  • Receive and process referrals from DCF and community-base case managers for individuals suspect as substance abusers.

Case planner vs family therapist skills

Common case planner skills
  • Social Work, 18%
  • Foster Care, 16%
  • NYC, 5%
  • Substance Abuse, 5%
  • Crisis Intervention, 5%
  • NYS, 4%
Common family therapist skills
  • Social Work, 27%
  • Patients, 6%
  • Rehabilitation, 4%
  • Community Resources, 4%
  • Mental Health Issues, 4%
  • Group Therapy, 3%

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