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Mental health coordinator vs mental health counselor

The differences between mental health coordinators and mental health 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 mental health coordinator and a mental health counselor. Additionally, a mental health coordinator has an average salary of $52,428, which is higher than the $49,471 average annual salary of a mental health counselor.

The top three skills for a mental health coordinator include social work, mental health and mental health assessments. The most important skills for a mental health counselor are social work, patients, and crisis intervention.

Mental health coordinator vs mental health counselor overview

Mental Health CoordinatorMental Health Counselor
Yearly salary$52,428$49,471
Hourly rate$25.21$23.78
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs137,025110,752
Job satisfaction-2
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age4541
Years of experience44

What does a mental health coordinator do?

A mental health coordinator is responsible for implementing and monitoring the psychological health programs at a hospital, school, or other types of care facilities. Your duties typically include overseeing the implementation of programs and treatments, consulting with other health care professionals about therapeutic care and patient cases, and working to increase awareness of community mental health. Additionally, you are responsible for coordinating residential and aftercare therapy for people with mental health issues. You are also responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of patient information.

What does a mental health counselor do?

A mental health counselor is responsible for helping patients deal with their emotional and mental disorders by developing treatment plans and conducting regular counseling to track the patient's progress and condition. Mental health counselors encourage active communication from their patients, provide coping strategies for triggering situations, seek advice from other health care professionals, and guide patients on doing other activities that would help them relax. A mental health counselor must have excellent knowledge of the mental health disciplines to assist patients in their healthy lifestyle development.

Mental health coordinator vs mental health counselor salary

Mental health coordinators and mental health counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Mental Health CoordinatorMental Health Counselor
Average salary$52,428$49,471
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $80,000Between $34,000 And $70,000
Highest paying CityStockton, CALongview, WA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaWashington
Best paying companyWellpathFamily Life Counseling & Psychiatric Services
Best paying industryGovernmentHealth Care

Differences between mental health coordinator and mental health counselor education

There are a few differences between a mental health coordinator and a mental health counselor in terms of educational background:

Mental Health CoordinatorMental Health Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Mental health coordinator vs mental health counselor demographics

Here are the differences between mental health coordinators' and mental health counselors' demographics:

Mental Health CoordinatorMental Health Counselor
Average age4541
Gender ratioMale, 21.4% Female, 78.6%Male, 31.4% Female, 68.6%
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, 11.3% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 3.2% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage15%15%

Differences between mental health coordinator and mental health counselor duties and responsibilities

Mental health coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Manage apartment project for SPMI adults and provide case management support to those tenants.
  • Assist in the development of partnerships with universities, mental health agencies and rehabilitation resources in program design and implementation.
  • Refer patients and family members to community resources or to specialists for mentally abuse children or women rights advocacy as necessary.
  • Provide intake assessments for at-risk youth and families to determine eligibility for intensive in-home and therapeutic day treatment services and Medicaid assistance
  • Exhibit genuine compassion and caring for individuals facing a variety of life challenges.
  • Complete emergency evaluations of patients and refer for inpatient treatment if necessary.
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Mental health counselor example responsibilities.

  • Provide clinical consultation to consumers and clients regarding manage care services and other benefits available to them through their EAP programs.
  • Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
  • Certify in CPI (crisis intervention technique).
  • Assist with crisis intervention, (CPI) maintains treatment activities.
  • Provide mental health assessment and evaluation of detainees refer by facility staff or identify by pre-screening (booking or nursing).
  • Assess for special needs during booking process.
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Mental health coordinator vs mental health counselor skills

Common mental health coordinator skills
  • Social Work, 31%
  • Mental Health, 14%
  • Mental Health Assessments, 10%
  • Patients, 7%
  • Crisis Intervention, 6%
  • Clinical Supervision, 3%
Common mental health counselor skills
  • Social Work, 17%
  • Patients, 16%
  • Crisis Intervention, 9%
  • Patient Care, 6%
  • Mental Health Issues, 5%
  • Rehabilitation, 4%

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