Primary counselor vs counseling psychologist

The differences between primary counselors and counseling psychologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a primary counselor and a counseling psychologist. Additionally, a counseling psychologist has an average salary of $80,294, which is higher than the $44,580 average annual salary of a primary counselor.

The top three skills for a primary counselor include group therapy sessions, mental health and crisis intervention. The most important skills for a counseling psychologist are mental health, crisis intervention, and behavioral health.

Primary counselor vs counseling psychologist overview

	Primary Counselor	Counseling Psychologist
Yearly salary	$44,580	$80,294
Hourly rate	$21.43	$38.60
Growth rate	9%	14%
Number of jobs	65,753	12,337
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age	39	43
Years of experience	6	6

Primary counselor vs counseling psychologist salary

Primary counselors and counseling psychologists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Primary Counselor	Counseling Psychologist
Average salary	$44,580	$80,294
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $63,000	Between $55,000 And $116,000
Highest paying City	-	Berkeley, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	Hca Hospital Services Of San Diego
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between primary counselor and counseling psychologist education

There are a few differences between a primary counselor and a counseling psychologist in terms of educational background:

	Primary Counselor	Counseling Psychologist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	Hunter College of the City University of New York	Northwestern University

Primary counselor vs counseling psychologist demographics

Here are the differences between primary counselors' and counseling psychologists' demographics:

	Primary Counselor	Counseling Psychologist
Average age	39	43
Gender ratio	Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5%	Male, 35.0% Female, 65.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 4.6% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 3.3% White, 76.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between primary counselor and counseling psychologist duties and responsibilities

Primary counselor example responsibilities.

Coordinate individual client treatment plans to achieve individual and department rehabilitation goals.
Conduct intake screenings and assessment for treatment entry and appropriateness per ASAM criteria.
Develop and implement individualized treatment plans base on patient needs and ASAM criteria.
Maintain accurate and complete chart documentation regarding patient attitude and progress in the rehabilitation process following program protocols.
Facilitate group activities, arrange for outside recovery-orient NA/AA meetings, and provide a safe environment for recovering patients.
Facilitate substance abuse group counseling sessions to assist patients in recognizing causal factors of substance abuse and in developing coping behaviors.

Counseling psychologist example responsibilities.

Conduct and write triennial and initial assessments, participate and lead IEP meetings, functional behavioral assessments, behavior support plans.
Advance training in DBT and EMDR.
Establish a join ADHD clinic with one of the local pediatricians.
Provide psycho-diagnostic and psycho therapeutic services to cancer patients.
Develop a team orient treatment plan for patients producing quantitative measurable results.
Develop training materials for alcohol abuse treatment & rehabilitation services, including prevention of domestic violence, child abuse and homelessness.

Primary counselor vs counseling psychologist skills

Common primary counselor skills

Group Therapy Sessions, 10%
Mental Health, 10%
Crisis Intervention, 10%
Patients, 8%
Intake Assessments, 8%
Substance Abuse Treatment, 8%

Common counseling psychologist skills

Mental Health, 27%
Crisis Intervention, 18%
Behavioral Health, 9%
Social Work, 7%
Psychological Services, 7%
Rehabilitation, 5%

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Primary Counselor vs Counseling Psychologist

Updated January 8, 2025

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