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Family counselor vs service counselor

The differences between family counselors and service counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a family counselor, becoming a service counselor takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a family counselor has an average salary of $41,510, which is higher than the $35,402 average annual salary of a service counselor.

The top three skills for a family counselor include social work, community resources and POC. The most important skills for a service counselor are social work, crisis intervention, and patients.

Family counselor vs service counselor overview

Family CounselorService Counselor
Yearly salary$41,510$35,402
Hourly rate$19.96$17.02
Growth rate14%12%
Number of jobs93,25344,284
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age4143
Years of experience412

What does a family counselor do?

A Family Counselor treats married couples or family members in order to help them overcome mental or emotional problems. They provide effective treatment measures to help the family members resolve their issues.

What does a service counselor do?

Service counselors provide guidance to couples, individuals, groups, and families who are going through issues that influence their well-being and mental health. They comprehensively approach their clients by utilizing a "wellness" model that focuses on and motivate the client's potentials. Their duties include inspiring clients to talk about their emotions and experiences, helping them determine their action plans and goals, as well as designing therapeutic methods. Also, they may refer their clients to other services or psychologists.

Family counselor vs service counselor salary

Family counselors and service counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Family CounselorService Counselor
Average salary$41,510$35,402
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $62,000Between $24,000 And $51,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYUrban Honolulu, HI
Highest paying stateNew YorkHawaii
Best paying companyShirley Ryan AbilityLabGoogle
Best paying industryProfessionalEducation

Differences between family counselor and service counselor education

There are a few differences between a family counselor and a service counselor in terms of educational background:

Family CounselorService Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachSUNY at Binghamton

Family counselor vs service counselor demographics

Here are the differences between family counselors' and service counselors' demographics:

Family CounselorService Counselor
Average age4143
Gender ratioMale, 26.3% Female, 73.7%Male, 33.3% Female, 66.7%
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, 12.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 7.1% White, 54.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage6%11%

Differences between family counselor and service counselor duties and responsibilities

Family counselor example responsibilities.

  • Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
  • Assist the clients in completing their DCF case plan, helping to remove any hindrances they may encounter.
  • Counsele and test patients who requesting confidential HIV testing services
  • Collaborate and coordinate patient care with resident/faculty physicians to provide appropriate levels of care to patients.
  • Receive and process referrals from DCF and community-base case managers for individuals suspect as substance abusers.
  • Utilize PowerPoint presentations to facilitate ongoing new student orientation, ensuring students understand rules and regulations.
  • Show more

Service counselor example responsibilities.

  • Develop contracting strategy to build capacity and achieve ongoing compliance with Medicare and Medicaid provider network adequacy requirements.
  • Implement patient financial services department to assist patients and family members to ensure successful patient representation and expeditious benefit recovery.
  • Examine injured persons and administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if necessary, using training and medical supplies and equipment.

Family counselor vs service counselor skills

Common family counselor skills
  • Social Work, 22%
  • Community Resources, 13%
  • POC, 7%
  • Family Support, 5%
  • Family Therapy, 5%
  • DOD, 4%
Common service counselor skills
  • Social Work, 16%
  • Crisis Intervention, 9%
  • Patients, 7%
  • Support Services, 6%
  • Social Services, 6%
  • Rehabilitation, 6%

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