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Counseling specialist vs intervention specialist

The differences between counseling specialists and intervention specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an intervention specialist has an average salary of $50,180, which is higher than the $44,061 average annual salary of a counseling specialist.

The top three skills for a counseling specialist include social work, mental health and crisis intervention. The most important skills for an intervention specialist are mental health, social work, and crisis intervention.

Counseling specialist vs intervention specialist overview

Counseling SpecialistIntervention Specialist
Yearly salary$44,061$50,180
Hourly rate$21.18$24.12
Growth rate10%9%
Number of jobs64,40469,156
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age4245
Years of experience-4

What does a counseling specialist do?

A counseling specialist guides groups, families, or individuals dealing with mental well-being or mental health issues. These professionals approach their duties holistically by implementing a 'wellness' model that identifies and promotes the client's strengths. Besides developing therapeutic processes and encouraging clients to share their experiences and emotions, counseling specialists also refer the clients to professional psychologists and more services. They work with families and examine aging, relationships, suicide, stress, depression, self-image, careers, bullying, substance abuse, anger management, and LGBTQ issues.

What does an intervention specialist do?

An intervention specialist is responsible for assisting children with special education and social adjustment needs in schools and other educational settings. You will be responsible for designing, executing, and assessing programs based on different factors, including gender, cultural background, and age. Other tasks that you will likely perform include working closely with teachers to discuss the subject matter with students, ensuring children and occupied and safe, and maintaining records of children's performance and lesson plans. An intervention specialist is also responsible for adhering to individualized education programs.

Counseling specialist vs intervention specialist salary

Counseling specialists and intervention specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Counseling SpecialistIntervention Specialist
Average salary$44,061$50,180
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $59,000Between $35,000 And $70,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAAlameda, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyChicago Public SchoolsBirch
Best paying industryFinanceGovernment

Differences between counseling specialist and intervention specialist education

There are a few differences between a counseling specialist and an intervention specialist in terms of educational background:

Counseling SpecialistIntervention Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeBoston UniversityUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Counseling specialist vs intervention specialist demographics

Here are the differences between counseling specialists' and intervention specialists' demographics:

Counseling SpecialistIntervention Specialist
Average age4245
Gender ratioMale, 36.6% Female, 63.4%Male, 30.4% Female, 69.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 3.7% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%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 Percentage11%15%

Differences between counseling specialist and intervention specialist duties and responsibilities

Counseling specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage assignments of paying medical bills limit in depth that include organizing and researching regulations as pertain to veterans eligibility.
  • Follow member verification process, ensuring member's HIPAA rights.
  • Provide HIV pre- and post-test counseling, and conduct confidential HIV testing using rapid OraQuick.
  • Coordinate housing efforts with HUD also, verify yearly rental and income checks with social security.
  • Identify and recruit students, assess academic, motivational, and social needs, and develop individual work plans.
  • Develop social histories and rehabilitation treatment plans.
  • Show more

Intervention specialist example responsibilities.

  • Conduct mental health triage; make appropriate dispositions to other inpatient units with the local area.
  • Coordinate with parents, general education teachers, service providers in all aspects of the IEP and ETR annual review process.
  • Assist families with children with autism and other developmental disabilities.
  • Track students' GPA, college and career goals.
  • Supervise employees and train for EIS certification through DARS and state of Texas.
  • Perform crisis phone triage, mobile face to face assessments and arrange for respite services.
  • Show more

Counseling specialist vs intervention specialist skills

Common counseling specialist skills
  • Social Work, 25%
  • Mental Health, 20%
  • Crisis Intervention, 10%
  • HIPAA, 7%
  • Substance Abuse, 7%
  • Community Resources, 6%
Common intervention specialist skills
  • Mental Health, 13%
  • Social Work, 9%
  • Crisis Intervention, 6%
  • Classroom Management, 5%
  • Group Sessions, 5%
  • IEP, 4%

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