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Counseling specialist vs living specialist

The differences between counseling specialists and living specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a counseling specialist has an average salary of $44,061, which is higher than the $36,759 average annual salary of a living specialist.

The top three skills for a counseling specialist include social work, mental health and crisis intervention. The most important skills for a living specialist are independent living, community resources, and autism.

Counseling specialist vs living specialist overview

Counseling SpecialistLiving Specialist
Yearly salary$44,061$36,759
Hourly rate$21.18$17.67
Growth rate10%12%
Number of jobs64,40449,916
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Average age4243
Years of experience-12

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 a living specialist do?

A living specialist is a person who is responsible for assisting and guiding individuals that have difficulties caring for themselves. They are the person who helps them in doing household chores and guiding them throughout the cleaning process. This career is an important position in society because it provides care for those who are in need.

Counseling specialist vs living specialist salary

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

Counseling SpecialistLiving Specialist
Average salary$44,061$36,759
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $59,000Between $28,000 And $47,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew York
Best paying companyChicago Public SchoolsTerros Health
Best paying industryFinanceNon Profits

Differences between counseling specialist and living specialist education

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

Counseling SpecialistLiving Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeBoston UniversitySUNY at Binghamton

Counseling specialist vs living specialist demographics

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

Counseling SpecialistLiving Specialist
Average age4243
Gender ratioMale, 36.6% Female, 63.4%Male, 29.5% Female, 70.5%
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, 10.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 6.8% White, 60.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between counseling specialist and living 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

Living specialist example responsibilities.

  • Ensure the facilities' mission are achieved by effectively supervising the mental health rehabilitative efforts of severely and chronically ill patients.
  • Conduct comprehensive care assessments to determine client eligibility for Medicaid fund home health assistance.
  • Provide education and vocational counseling for the individual and/or their family members and significant others to ensure healthy lifestyles and rehabilitation.
  • Collaborate with community health councils and other community agencies to provide programs that enhance community awareness of health and safety.

Counseling specialist vs living specialist skills

Common counseling specialist skills
  • Social Work, 25%
  • Mental Health, 20%
  • Crisis Intervention, 10%
  • HIPAA, 7%
  • Substance Abuse, 7%
  • Community Resources, 6%
Common living specialist skills
  • Independent Living, 13%
  • Community Resources, 9%
  • Autism, 8%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Mental Health, 7%
  • Foster Care, 7%

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