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Lead counselor vs clinical counselor

The differences between lead counselors and clinical counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a lead counselor has an average salary of $178,478, which is higher than the $54,191 average annual salary of a clinical counselor.

The top three skills for a lead counselor include legal advice, litigation and work ethic. The most important skills for a clinical counselor are social work, patients, and foster care.

Lead counselor vs clinical counselor overview

Lead CounselorClinical Counselor
Yearly salary$178,478$54,191
Hourly rate$85.81$26.05
Growth rate10%17%
Number of jobs74,247146,133
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age4241
Years of experience-4

What does a lead counselor do?

A Lead Counselor is responsible for the management of patients' mental health and rehabilitation services. Often, they help them to recover from a tragic or traumatic kind of situation. They also help the patient cope with family and job-related stress and other personal issues. They teach other staff and especially clients to educate them in dealing with stress management and eventually monitor their progress. This person should also have strong written and verbal communication skills.

What does a clinical counselor do?

A Clinical Counselor interviews clients to assess their mental health and behavioral problems. They examine issues such as substance abuse, depression, stress, aging and self-image.

Lead counselor vs clinical counselor salary

Lead counselors and clinical counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Lead CounselorClinical Counselor
Average salary$178,478$54,191
Salary rangeBetween $100,000 And $315,000Between $43,000 And $67,000
Highest paying CityLos Angeles, CABethesda, MD
Highest paying stateNew JerseyMaryland
Best paying companyMDINovo Nordisk
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between lead counselor and clinical counselor education

There are a few differences between a lead counselor and a clinical counselor in terms of educational background:

Lead CounselorClinical Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Lead counselor vs clinical counselor demographics

Here are the differences between lead counselors' and clinical counselors' demographics:

Lead CounselorClinical Counselor
Average age4241
Gender ratioMale, 41.6% Female, 58.4%Male, 28.4% Female, 71.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 3.7% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%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 Percentage11%15%

Differences between lead counselor and clinical counselor duties and responsibilities

Lead counselor example responsibilities.

  • Monitor children at the pool, CPR certify.
  • assist with reading writing mathematics social skills and everyday living skills.
  • Maintain safety and ensure well being of children daily by implementing discipline procedures and using CPR training when necessary.
  • Dispense medication and coordinate supervision of patients abusing behavior altering drugs.
  • Implement a research-base treatment program for children with ADHD and other behavioraldeficiencies.
  • Work towards empowering juveniles and their families to support a positive lifestyle by providing strength base intensive intervention and rehabilitation services.
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Clinical counselor example responsibilities.

  • Manage a caseload of individuals in programs design to provide vocational rehabilitation and other services to the developmentally disable.
  • Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
  • Perform client intake assessments and conduct monthly assessments to identify progress of patients and determine individuals ready to graduate from program.
  • Review charts to ensure that they are in compliance with OASAS standards.
  • Initial assessment, diagnosis, ASAM criteria, treatment planning , 3rd party contact, group and individual therapy.
  • Maintain appropriate documentation per NYS OASAS regulations and APG guidelines
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Lead counselor vs clinical counselor skills

Common lead counselor skills
  • Legal Advice, 16%
  • Litigation, 14%
  • Work Ethic, 8%
  • Substance Abuse, 8%
  • Crisis Intervention, 7%
  • Group Therapy, 6%
Common clinical counselor skills
  • Social Work, 36%
  • Patients, 8%
  • Foster Care, 7%
  • Independent Living, 6%
  • Child Abuse, 4%
  • Clinical Services, 3%

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