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Couples therapist vs family therapist

The differences between couples therapists and family therapists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a couples therapist and a family therapist. Additionally, a couples therapist has an average salary of $95,051, which is higher than the $50,774 average annual salary of a family therapist.

The top three skills for a couples therapist include couples therapy, private practice and adolescents. The most important skills for a family therapist are social work, patients, and rehabilitation.

Couples therapist vs family therapist overview

Couples TherapistFamily Therapist
Yearly salary$95,051$50,774
Hourly rate$45.70$24.41
Growth rate14%14%
Number of jobs23,353106,982
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeMaster's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4141
Years of experience44

Couples therapist vs family therapist salary

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

Couples TherapistFamily Therapist
Average salary$95,051$50,774
Salary rangeBetween $59,000 And $151,000Between $37,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City-Rochester, NY
Highest paying state-Oregon
Best paying company-Dignity Health
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between couples therapist and family therapist education

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

Couples TherapistFamily Therapist
Most common degreeMaster's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeBoston UniversityCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Couples therapist vs family therapist demographics

Here are the differences between couples therapists' and family therapists' demographics:

Couples TherapistFamily Therapist
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 28.6% Female, 71.4%Male, 25.8% Female, 74.2%
Race ratioBlack 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%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 Percentage6%6%

Differences between couples therapist and family therapist duties and responsibilities

Couples therapist example responsibilities.

  • Manage ventilator and BiPAP's and create or update care plans per patient needs.
  • Perform occasional psychosocial rehabilitation services.
  • Perform occasional psychosocial rehabilitation services.

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.

Couples therapist vs family therapist skills

Common couples therapist skills
  • Couples Therapy, 30%
  • Private Practice, 19%
  • Adolescents, 14%
  • Family Therapy, 12%
  • Cognitive Behavioral, 9%
  • Assessment Methods, 8%
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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