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Mental health assistant vs mental health clinician

The differences between mental health assistants and mental health clinicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a mental health assistant and a mental health clinician. Additionally, a mental health clinician has an average salary of $54,359, which is higher than the $34,333 average annual salary of a mental health assistant.

The top three skills for a mental health assistant include patients, substance abuse and direct patient care. The most important skills for a mental health clinician are social work, patients, and mental health.

Mental health assistant vs mental health clinician overview

Mental Health AssistantMental Health Clinician
Yearly salary$34,333$54,359
Hourly rate$16.51$26.13
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs133,24891,347
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Master's Degree, 49%
Average age4545
Years of experience44

What does a mental health assistant do?

A mental health assistant is responsible for supporting patients with mental and emotional issues under the supervision of psychiatrists and other mental health professionals. Mental health assistants assist patients in performing their daily activities, monitoring their progress, and observing their personal and social behaviors. They also conduct recreational and engaging activities for the patients as part of their cooperative treatment plans. A mental health assistant ensures that the rooms and facilities are clean and safe at all times to prevent potential hazards and accidents.

What does a mental health clinician do?

A Mental Health Clinician provides psychotherapeutic and rehabilitation services for patients with mental health problems. They manage the treatment of clients and help them to obtain stable physical health.

Mental health assistant vs mental health clinician salary

Mental health assistants and mental health clinicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Mental Health AssistantMental Health Clinician
Average salary$34,333$54,359
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $48,000Between $36,000 And $80,000
Highest paying CityOakland, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNew YorkCalifornia
Best paying companyMedical University of South CarolinaCity and County of Denver Government
Best paying industryGovernmentEducation

Differences between mental health assistant and mental health clinician education

There are a few differences between a mental health assistant and a mental health clinician in terms of educational background:

Mental Health AssistantMental Health Clinician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Master's Degree, 49%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Mental health assistant vs mental health clinician demographics

Here are the differences between mental health assistants' and mental health clinicians' demographics:

Mental Health AssistantMental Health Clinician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 33.8% Female, 66.2%Male, 24.3% Female, 75.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 3.1% White, 74.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 3.1% White, 74.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage15%15%

Differences between mental health assistant and mental health clinician duties and responsibilities

Mental health assistant example responsibilities.

  • Supervise and facilitate counseling interventions to psychiatric patients, and lead community therapeutic meetings.
  • Encourage participation in attending program meetings that focuse on rehabilitation management and coping skills.
  • Assist residents to function at their highest potential through formulation and implementation of rehabilitation plans.
  • Supervise daily activities of patients, assist in crisis management, and facilitate admissions and discharges.
  • Provide clear lines of responsibility and accountability within the BHT department; delegates appropriate authority for completion of assign responsibilities.
  • Adhere to HIPPA regulations and to company privacy standards to protect patient confidentiality.

Mental health clinician example responsibilities.

  • Work with children with autism and developmental impairment, providing weekly therapeutic sessions.
  • Provide individual and group psychotherapy for adult population with goal of rehabilitation and community reintegration.
  • Meet productivity standards comply with all DMH documentation standards and participate in on call crisis intervention rotation.
  • Provide psychotherapy with empathy and concern as indicated by supervisory observation and feedback from patients, family and fellow team members.
  • Provide clinical therapeutic services to patients, including individual and group therapy and coordination of treatment for participants with co-occurring disorders.
  • Assess, diagnose, provide psychotherapy and rehabilitation for seriously mentally ill adults, children and adolescents with severe emotional disturbance.
  • Show more

Mental health assistant vs mental health clinician skills

Common mental health assistant skills
  • Patients, 31%
  • Substance Abuse, 6%
  • Direct Patient Care, 6%
  • Vital Signs, 5%
  • Patient Safety, 4%
  • Mental Illness, 4%
Common mental health clinician skills
  • Social Work, 28%
  • Patients, 15%
  • Mental Health, 5%
  • Discharge Planning, 3%
  • Community Resources, 3%
  • Rehabilitation, 2%

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