Primary counselor vs primary therapist

The differences between primary counselors and primary therapists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a primary counselor, becoming a primary therapist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a primary therapist has an average salary of $59,826, 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 primary therapist are patients, social work, and group therapy sessions.

Primary counselor vs primary therapist overview

	Primary Counselor	Primary Therapist
Yearly salary	$44,580	$59,826
Hourly rate	$21.43	$28.76
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	65,753	85,127
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Master's Degree, 49%
Average age	39	45
Years of experience	6	4

Primary counselor vs primary therapist salary

Primary counselors and primary therapists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Primary Counselor	Primary Therapist
Average salary	$44,580	$59,826
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $63,000	Between $43,000 And $83,000
Highest paying City	-	Thousand Oaks, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	Appalachian Regional Healthcare
Best paying industry	-	Finance

Differences between primary counselor and primary therapist education

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

	Primary Counselor	Primary Therapist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Master's Degree, 49%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	Hunter College of the City University of New York	California State University - Long Beach

Primary counselor vs primary therapist demographics

Here are the differences between primary counselors' and primary therapists' demographics:

	Primary Counselor	Primary Therapist
Average age	39	45
Gender ratio	Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5%	Male, 27.1% Female, 72.9%
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, 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	12%	15%

Differences between primary counselor and primary therapist 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.

Primary therapist example responsibilities.

Case managing, intakes, group and individual session, treatment plans, OASAS standards
Provide clinical therapy for severely emotionally disturb adolescents and their families to aid in the rehabilitation process.
Perform crisis intervention, including management of difficult or resistant patients, utilizing clinically appropriate accept techniques and methods.
Assist in development of extend hour IOP and PHP program.
experience, IOP, individual sessions, assessments, case management.
Assist in developing and assessing progress on individual rehabilitation plans.

Primary counselor vs primary therapist 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 primary therapist skills

Patients, 17%
Social Work, 14%
Group Therapy Sessions, 8%
Eating Disorders, 7%
Patient Care, 5%
Crisis Intervention, 5%