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The differences between mental health therapists and behavioral health specialists 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 therapist and a behavioral health specialist. Additionally, a mental health therapist has an average salary of $50,259, which is higher than the $44,808 average annual salary of a behavioral health specialist.
The top three skills for a mental health therapist include social work, patients and mental health. The most important skills for a behavioral health specialist are patients, social work, and substance abuse.
| Mental Health Therapist | Behavioral Health Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $50,259 | $44,808 |
| Hourly rate | $24.16 | $21.54 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 114,386 | 130,222 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Master's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
Typically working for clinics and learning institutions, a behavioral health specialist is in charge of counseling and treating patients with behavioral issues. Their responsibilities revolve around conducting initial assessment through interview and observation, maintaining records and data, developing treatment plans, and referring patients to other support services when necessary. Moreover, a behavioral health specialist must communicate with the patient's families or guardians, discuss conditions, and provide advice on taking care of them. Aside from treating patients, it is also essential to continuously monitor their behavior while building positive relationships with them.
Mental health therapists and behavioral health specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mental Health Therapist | Behavioral Health Specialist | |
| Average salary | $50,259 | $44,808 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $70,000 | Between $29,000 And $66,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Anchorage, AK |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Tykes And Teens | Maxim Healthcare Group |
| Best paying industry | Non Profits | Insurance |
There are a few differences between a mental health therapist and a behavioral health specialist in terms of educational background:
| Mental Health Therapist | Behavioral Health Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Master's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Most common major | Social Work | Psychology |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between mental health therapists' and behavioral health specialists' demographics:
| Mental Health Therapist | Behavioral Health Specialist | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 23.3% Female, 76.7% | Male, 29.2% Female, 70.8% |
| 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% |