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Counseling specialist vs treatment specialist

The differences between counseling specialists and treatment specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a treatment specialist has an average salary of $53,673, 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 a treatment specialist are social work, mental health, and rehabilitation.

Counseling specialist vs treatment specialist overview

Counseling SpecialistTreatment Specialist
Yearly salary$44,061$53,673
Hourly rate$21.18$25.80
Growth rate10%-
Number of jobs64,40467,604
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4244
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 a treatment specialist do?

The duties of a treatment specialist depend on their line of work or industry of employment. In the medical industry, a treatment specialist is primarily responsible for developing treatments according to the needs and conditions of a patient. They gather and analyze a patient's medical history and records, conduct extensive tests and examinations, coordinate with other medical experts, and discuss the extent of treatments to patients. Furthermore, a treatment specialist must maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.

Counseling specialist vs treatment specialist salary

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

Counseling SpecialistTreatment Specialist
Average salary$44,061$53,673
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $59,000Between $34,000 And $82,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateCaliforniaAlaska
Best paying companyChicago Public SchoolsDelaware State Government
Best paying industryFinanceNon Profits

Differences between counseling specialist and treatment specialist education

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

Counseling SpecialistTreatment Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeBoston UniversityCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Counseling specialist vs treatment specialist demographics

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

Counseling SpecialistTreatment Specialist
Average age4244
Gender ratioMale, 36.6% Female, 63.4%Male, 37.5% Female, 62.5%
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, 12.2% Unknown, 2.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 2.1% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage11%10%

Differences between counseling specialist and treatment 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

Treatment specialist example responsibilities.

  • Provide individualize intervention for problematic behaviors using TCI techniques such as de-escalation, to prevent and/or manage crisis.
  • Med aid, CPR, and a certified.
  • Med train, CPR certify.
  • Provide administrative oversight to several projects, including a provider incentive program and the drafting of the Medicaid request for qualifications.
  • Work with students within the classroom and develop interventions to increase progress towards IEP goals.
  • Retain proper certifications for cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, first aid, driver's license and insurance.

Counseling specialist vs treatment specialist skills

Common counseling specialist skills
  • Social Work, 25%
  • Mental Health, 20%
  • Crisis Intervention, 10%
  • HIPAA, 7%
  • Substance Abuse, 7%
  • Community Resources, 6%
Common treatment specialist skills
  • Social Work, 18%
  • Mental Health, 12%
  • Rehabilitation, 9%
  • Criminal Justice, 8%
  • Crisis Intervention, 7%
  • Substance Abuse, 6%

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