Post job

Family intervention specialist vs family therapist

The differences between family intervention specialists 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 family intervention specialist and a family therapist. Additionally, a family therapist has an average salary of $50,774, which is higher than the $42,045 average annual salary of a family intervention specialist.

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 therapist are social work, patients, and rehabilitation.

Family intervention specialist vs family therapist overview

Family Intervention SpecialistFamily Therapist
Yearly salary$42,045$50,774
Hourly rate$20.21$24.41
Growth rate9%14%
Number of jobs76,990106,982
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
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 therapist do?

A Family Therapist works with couples and families to help ameliorate marital and family issues. They can work in hospitals, treatment programs, government agencies, health organizations, and private practices.

Family intervention specialist vs family therapist salary

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

Family Intervention SpecialistFamily Therapist
Average salary$42,045$50,774
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $49,000Between $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 family intervention specialist and family therapist education

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

Family Intervention SpecialistFamily Therapist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeHunter College of the City University of New YorkCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Family intervention specialist vs family therapist demographics

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

Family Intervention SpecialistFamily Therapist
Average age4241
Gender ratioMale, 22.4% Female, 77.6%Male, 25.8% Female, 74.2%
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 therapist 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 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.

Family intervention specialist vs family therapist 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 therapist skills
  • Social Work, 27%
  • Patients, 6%
  • Rehabilitation, 4%
  • Community Resources, 4%
  • Mental Health Issues, 4%
  • Group Therapy, 3%

Browse community and social services jobs