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Counselor/case manager vs clinical counselor

The differences between counselor/case managers and clinical 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 counselor/case manager, becoming a clinical counselor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a clinical counselor has an average salary of $54,191, which is higher than the $39,562 average annual salary of a counselor/case manager.

The top three skills for a counselor/case manager include crisis intervention, patients and social work. The most important skills for a clinical counselor are social work, patients, and foster care.

Counselor/case manager vs clinical counselor overview

Counselor/Case ManagerClinical Counselor
Yearly salary$39,562$54,191
Hourly rate$19.02$26.05
Growth rate12%17%
Number of jobs88,285146,133
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age4341
Years of experience124

What does a counselor/case manager do?

A Counselor provides advice for coping with everyday situations, relationships, health challenges, or disabilities of patients. Case Managers develop, monitor, and evaluate treatment plans and the progress of patients within the social service departments, healthcare companies, hospital networks, etc.

What does a clinical counselor do?

A Clinical Counselor interviews clients to assess their mental health and behavioral problems. They examine issues such as substance abuse, depression, stress, aging and self-image.

Counselor/case manager vs clinical counselor salary

Counselor/case managers and clinical counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Counselor/Case ManagerClinical Counselor
Average salary$39,562$54,191
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $47,000Between $43,000 And $67,000
Highest paying CityDenver, COBethesda, MD
Highest paying stateConnecticutMaryland
Best paying companyParkland HospitalNovo Nordisk
Best paying industryEducationProfessional

Differences between counselor/case manager and clinical counselor education

There are a few differences between a counselor/case manager and a clinical counselor in terms of educational background:

Counselor/Case ManagerClinical Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Counselor/case manager vs clinical counselor demographics

Here are the differences between counselor/case managers' and clinical counselors' demographics:

Counselor/Case ManagerClinical Counselor
Average age4341
Gender ratioMale, 30.8% Female, 69.2%Male, 28.4% Female, 71.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 6.7% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8%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 counselor/case manager and clinical counselor duties and responsibilities

Counselor/case manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage the care of patients with tuberculosis (TB) during their hospitalization and their discharge follow-up care.
  • Provide individual therapy for addict patients with depression, bipolar, anxiety, attention deficit, antisocial/borderline/obsessive compulsive/narcissistic tendencies.
  • Collaborate with patients to develop individualize treatment plans and assist patients with updating their goals according to their progress.
  • Perform concurrent review to assure appropriateness of admission, inpatient/acute care, rehabilitation/SNF status, and discharge using establish InterQual guidelines.
  • Prepare documentation for HOPWA applications.

Clinical counselor example responsibilities.

  • Manage a caseload of individuals in programs design to provide vocational rehabilitation and other services to the developmentally disable.
  • Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
  • Perform client intake assessments and conduct monthly assessments to identify progress of patients and determine individuals ready to graduate from program.
  • Review charts to ensure that they are in compliance with OASAS standards.
  • Initial assessment, diagnosis, ASAM criteria, treatment planning , 3rd party contact, group and individual therapy.
  • Maintain appropriate documentation per NYS OASAS regulations and APG guidelines
  • Show more

Counselor/case manager vs clinical counselor skills

Common counselor/case manager skills
  • Crisis Intervention, 13%
  • Patients, 9%
  • Social Work, 8%
  • Mental Health, 7%
  • Intake Assessments, 6%
  • Substance Abuse Issues, 6%
Common clinical counselor skills
  • Social Work, 36%
  • Patients, 8%
  • Foster Care, 7%
  • Independent Living, 6%
  • Child Abuse, 4%
  • Clinical Services, 3%

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