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Mental health coordinator vs mental health therapist

The differences between mental health coordinators and mental health 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 mental health coordinator and a mental health therapist. Additionally, a mental health coordinator has an average salary of $52,428, which is higher than the $50,259 average annual salary of a mental health therapist.

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 therapist are social work, patients, and mental health.

Mental health coordinator vs mental health therapist overview

Mental Health CoordinatorMental Health Therapist
Yearly salary$52,428$50,259
Hourly rate$25.21$24.16
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs137,025114,386
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Master's Degree, 49%
Average age4545
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 therapist do?

The job of mental health therapists is to guide individuals, groups, couples, and families with problems that are impacting their well-being and mental health. Their duties and responsibilities include encouraging clients to talk about their experiences, examining issues that may affect mental health such as substance abuse and bullying, and assisting clients in defining their goals and action plans. Mental health therapists are also responsible for developing therapeutic processes, referring clients to other services or resources like psychologists, and helping them adjust to life changes.

Mental health coordinator vs mental health therapist salary

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

Mental Health CoordinatorMental Health Therapist
Average salary$52,428$50,259
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $80,000Between $35,000 And $70,000
Highest paying CityStockton, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaConnecticut
Best paying companyWellpathTykes And Teens
Best paying industryGovernmentNon Profits

Differences between mental health coordinator and mental health therapist education

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

Mental Health CoordinatorMental Health Therapist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Master's Degree, 49%
Most common majorPsychologySocial Work
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Mental health coordinator vs mental health therapist demographics

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

Mental Health CoordinatorMental Health Therapist
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 21.4% Female, 78.6%Male, 23.3% Female, 76.7%
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 coordinator and mental health therapist 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.
  • Show more

Mental health therapist example responsibilities.

  • Create and lead PTSD group for women, depression and stress management groups for men and women.
  • Collaborate with patients to develop individualize treatment plans and evaluate plans periodically to monitor progress towards achieving identify goals and objectives.
  • Provide clinical supervision for MFT intern and participate in peer to peer reviews.
  • Receive training in diagnoses, physical restraints and CPR.
  • Care for children with autism and document daily data collection.
  • Utilize therapy techniques from various modalities including EMDR, TF-CBT, and DBT
  • Show more

Mental health coordinator vs mental health therapist 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 therapist skills
  • Social Work, 35%
  • Patients, 10%
  • Mental Health, 6%
  • Group Therapy Sessions, 5%
  • Mental Health Issues, 3%
  • Community Resources, 3%

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