Crisis intervention counselor vs mental health counselor

The differences between crisis intervention counselors and mental health counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a crisis intervention counselor and a mental health counselor. Additionally, a crisis intervention counselor has an average salary of $52,041, which is higher than the $49,471 average annual salary of a mental health counselor.

The top three skills for a crisis intervention counselor include social work, behavioral problems and safety planning. The most important skills for a mental health counselor are social work, patients, and crisis intervention.

Crisis intervention counselor vs mental health counselor overview

	Crisis Intervention Counselor	Mental Health Counselor
Yearly salary	$52,041	$49,471
Hourly rate	$25.02	$23.78
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	30,988	110,752
Job satisfaction	-	2
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age	41	41
Years of experience	4	4

Crisis intervention counselor vs mental health counselor salary

Crisis intervention counselors and mental health counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Crisis Intervention Counselor	Mental Health Counselor
Average salary	$52,041	$49,471
Salary range	Between $38,000 And $71,000	Between $34,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City	Boston, MA	Longview, WA
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	Washington
Best paying company	Sante Group	Family Life Counseling & Psychiatric Services
Best paying industry	Transportation	Health Care

Differences between crisis intervention counselor and mental health counselor education

There are a few differences between a crisis intervention counselor and a mental health counselor in terms of educational background:

	Crisis Intervention Counselor	Mental Health Counselor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	California State University - Long Beach	California State University - Long Beach

Crisis intervention counselor vs mental health counselor demographics

Here are the differences between crisis intervention counselors' and mental health counselors' demographics:

	Crisis Intervention Counselor	Mental Health Counselor
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 30.7% Female, 69.3%	Male, 31.4% Female, 68.6%
Race ratio	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%	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 Percentage	15%	15%

Differences between crisis intervention counselor and mental health counselor duties and responsibilities

Crisis intervention counselor example responsibilities.

Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
Organize and lead regular youth and college bible studies, teaching about prayer and promoting spirituality.

Mental health counselor example responsibilities.

Provide clinical consultation to consumers and clients regarding manage care services and other benefits available to them through their EAP programs.
Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
Certify in CPI (crisis intervention technique).
Assist with crisis intervention, (CPI) maintains treatment activities.
Provide mental health assessment and evaluation of detainees refer by facility staff or identify by pre-screening (booking or nursing).
Assess for special needs during booking process.

Crisis intervention counselor vs mental health counselor skills

Common crisis intervention counselor skills

Social Work, 19%
Behavioral Problems, 7%
Safety Planning, 6%
Mental Health Crisis, 6%
Hotline Calls, 6%
Child Abuse, 6%

Common mental health counselor skills

Social Work, 17%
Patients, 16%
Crisis Intervention, 9%
Patient Care, 6%
Mental Health Issues, 5%
Rehabilitation, 4%

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Crisis Intervention Counselor
Crisis Intervention Counselor vs Mental Health Counselor

Updated January 8, 2025

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