Mental health professional vs mental health associate

The differences between mental health professionals and mental health associates 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 professional and a mental health associate. Additionally, a mental health professional has an average salary of $49,119, which is higher than the $36,510 average annual salary of a mental health associate.

The top three skills for a mental health professional include social work, patients and CPR. The most important skills for a mental health associate are patients, customer service, and vital signs.

Mental health professional vs mental health associate overview

	Mental Health Professional	Mental Health Associate
Yearly salary	$49,119	$36,510
Hourly rate	$23.61	$17.55
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	109,499	122,947
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	4	4

What does a mental health professional do?

The duties of a mental health professional will revolve around observing the behavior of patients. They are responsible for knowing their medical history, conducting consultations and assessments, diagnosing conditions, devising particular treatments and prescribing medication, and providing emotional support to patients. Furthermore, a mental health professional must coordinate with families and other mental health experts to monitor patients' behavior and develop care plans to help them in their road to recovery.

What does a mental health associate do?

As a mental health associate, you will assist the medical team members in diagnosing and treating individuals with mental, developmental, and behavioral conditions. You may be tasked to facilitate individual and group therapy sessions, help patients with their day-to-day activities such as self-care and hygiene, and assist in administering medications prescribed by physicians. Other duties include planning and leading program activities, attending treatment rounds, and assisting with the physical care of patients. The qualifications and skills required for this role include a bachelor's degree in social science or psychology, previous work experience, and certification on basic life support.

Mental health professional vs mental health associate salary

Mental health professionals and mental health associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Mental Health Professional	Mental Health Associate
Average salary	$49,119	$36,510
Salary range	Between $34,000 And $70,000	Between $25,000 And $51,000
Highest paying City	Cupertino, CA	New York, NY
Highest paying state	California	New York
Best paying company	Wellpath	Columbia University in the City of New York
Best paying industry	Finance	Professional

Differences between mental health professional and mental health associate education

There are a few differences between a mental health professional and a mental health associate in terms of educational background:

	Mental Health Professional	Mental Health Associate
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	California State University - Long Beach	California State University - Long Beach

Mental health professional vs mental health associate demographics

Here are the differences between mental health professionals' and mental health associates' demographics:

	Mental Health Professional	Mental Health Associate
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 26.2% Female, 73.8%	Male, 33.0% Female, 67.0%
Race ratio	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%	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 Percentage	15%	15%

Differences between mental health professional and mental health associate duties and responsibilities

Mental health professional example responsibilities.

Lead training for staff on specific counseling interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders.
Monitor and manage preventative behavior with 2-3 MHA'S team and carry out a constructive routine with patients.
Provide individual treatment using CBT, DBT and motivational interviewing techniques to detainees with mental health and/or behavioral concerns.
Develop curriculum for and facilitate mental health groups including DBT education.
Provide comprehensive, recovery orient mental health skill building and support to patients with psychiatric disorder, including co-occurring diagnosis
Work with children and families as a psycho-social rehabilitation provider and qualify medical health assistant.

Mental health associate example responsibilities.

Lead a number of psychotherapy groups including DBT.
Manage other MHA's in their duties and help them problem solving in tense and stressful situations.
Respond to and assist in behavioral codes working as a team member to successfully manage patient using methods obtain in CPI training
Require to participate as an interdisciplinary treatment team member and assist patients in managing activities of daily living.
Treat the patients with compassion, care and respect.
Communicate with doctors, nurses, MHA's, PCA's, and patients both verbally and in writing.

Mental health professional vs mental health associate skills

Common mental health professional skills

Social Work, 20%
Patients, 19%
CPR, 7%
Excellent Interpersonal, 6%
Clinical Supervision, 5%
Clinical Documentation, 5%

Common mental health associate skills

Patients, 24%
Customer Service, 9%
Vital Signs, 7%
CPR, 6%
Safety Checks, 4%
Social Work, 4%

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Mental Health Professional
Mental Health Professional vs Mental Health Associate

Updated January 8, 2025

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