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Family intervention specialist vs family counselor

The differences between family intervention specialists and family 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 family intervention specialist and a family counselor. Additionally, a family intervention specialist has an average salary of $42,045, which is higher than the $41,510 average annual salary of a family counselor.

The top three skills for a family intervention specialist include social work, family therapy and at-risk youth. The most important skills for a family counselor are social work, community resources, and POC.

Family intervention specialist vs family counselor overview

Family Intervention SpecialistFamily Counselor
Yearly salary$42,045$41,510
Hourly rate$20.21$19.96
Growth rate9%14%
Number of jobs76,99093,253
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age4241
Years of experience44

What does a family intervention specialist do?

A family intervention specialist provides family-centered care by visiting children and youth with alcohol addiction, substance abuse, and mental or behavioral health disorders. Typical duties include providing assessment and counseling using evidence-based practices, coordinating with treatment providers to implement services for children and their families. Additionally, as a family intervention specialist, you will be responsible for maintaining up-to-date and accurate reporting, clinical charts, and billing records.

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.

Family intervention specialist vs family counselor salary

Family intervention specialists and family counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Family Intervention SpecialistFamily Counselor
Average salary$42,045$41,510
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $49,000Between $27,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City-New York, NY
Highest paying state-New York
Best paying company-Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between family intervention specialist and family counselor education

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

Family Intervention SpecialistFamily Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeHunter College of the City University of New YorkCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Family intervention specialist vs family counselor demographics

Here are the differences between family intervention specialists' and family counselors' demographics:

Family Intervention SpecialistFamily Counselor
Average age4241
Gender ratioMale, 22.4% Female, 77.6%Male, 26.3% Female, 73.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%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 Percentage10%6%

Differences between family intervention specialist and family counselor duties and responsibilities

Family intervention specialist example responsibilities.

  • Help children/youth in state custody achieve permanency whether through reintegration, adoption or custodianship.
  • Provide information and support to transitioning foster youth during assessment, case planning or other permanency and transition-relate activities.
  • case file review and Medicaid authorizations.
  • Attend school meetings, including disciplinary meetings, IEP meetings, and conferences for clients.
  • Complete risk assessments and develop comprehensive intervention plans to address safety, communication, and problem solving abilities.

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

Family intervention specialist vs family counselor skills

Common family intervention specialist skills
  • Social Work, 28%
  • Family Therapy, 13%
  • at-Risk Youth, 7%
  • On-Call Availability, 5%
  • Child Welfare, 5%
  • Villages, 5%
Common family counselor skills
  • Social Work, 22%
  • Community Resources, 13%
  • POC, 7%
  • Family Support, 5%
  • Family Therapy, 5%
  • DOD, 4%

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