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The differences between mental health therapists 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 therapist and a mental health associate. Additionally, a mental health therapist has an average salary of $50,259, which is higher than the $36,510 average annual salary of a mental health associate.
The top three skills for a mental health therapist include social work, patients and mental health. The most important skills for a mental health associate are patients, customer service, and vital signs.
| Mental Health Therapist | Mental Health Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $50,259 | $36,510 |
| Hourly rate | $24.16 | $17.55 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 114,386 | 122,947 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Master's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| 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.
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 therapists and mental health associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mental Health Therapist | Mental Health Associate | |
| Average salary | $50,259 | $36,510 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $70,000 | Between $25,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | New York |
| Best paying company | Tykes And Teens | Columbia University in the City of New York |
| Best paying industry | Non Profits | Professional |
There are a few differences between a mental health therapist and a mental health associate in terms of educational background:
| Mental Health Therapist | Mental Health Associate | |
| Most common degree | Master's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| 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 mental health associates' demographics:
| Mental Health Therapist | Mental Health Associate | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 23.3% Female, 76.7% | 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% |