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Psychological assistant vs psychology associate

The differences between psychological assistants and psychology associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a psychological assistant, becoming a psychology associate takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a psychology associate has an average salary of $73,152, which is higher than the $68,862 average annual salary of a psychological assistant.

The top three skills for a psychological assistant include patients, crisis intervention and mental illness. The most important skills for a psychology associate are social work, group therapy, and patients.

Psychological assistant vs psychology associate overview

Psychological AssistantPsychology Associate
Yearly salary$68,862$73,152
Hourly rate$33.11$35.17
Growth rate12%14%
Number of jobs90,7856,332
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4343
Years of experience122

What does a psychological assistant do?

A psychological assistant primarily performs support tasks to assist a psychologist in treating patients at a medical facility. Their duties focus on helping patients by answering inquiries, giving instructions, explaining procedures, gathering requirements, and conducting initial assessments. They can participate in serving the patients under the supervision and directives of a licensed psychologist. Additionally, a psychological assistant may also participate in conducting research, preparing and processing necessary paperwork, handling calls and other forms of correspondence, and attending meetings and seminars.

What does a psychology associate do?

Provosts have a hefty set of educational requirements, including a master's degree in an educational field, tenure as a college or university academic professor, and, in some cases, the prerequisite of a doctorate: all necessary for the $151K yearly salary. Those who choose this career path will be called upon as the university's chief academic officer under the president to create and implement academic priorities as well as allocate resources that will support those priorities.

Psychological assistant vs psychology associate salary

Psychological assistants and psychology associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Psychological AssistantPsychology Associate
Average salary$68,862$73,152
Salary rangeBetween $44,000 And $105,000Between $49,000 And $107,000
Highest paying CitySparks, NVSanta Rosa, CA
Highest paying stateNevadaCalifornia
Best paying companyNew York UniversityCommonwealth
Best paying industryNon ProfitsHealth Care

Differences between psychological assistant and psychology associate education

There are a few differences between a psychological assistant and a psychology associate in terms of educational background:

Psychological AssistantPsychology Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Psychological assistant vs psychology associate demographics

Here are the differences between psychological assistants' and psychology associates' demographics:

Psychological AssistantPsychology Associate
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 29.5% Female, 70.5%Male, 27.7% Female, 72.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.9% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 6.9% White, 50.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 3.0%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 Percentage11%12%

Differences between psychological assistant and psychology associate duties and responsibilities

Psychological assistant example responsibilities.

  • Lead dialectical-behavioral therapy groups (DBT) for individuals with borderline personality disorder diagnosis.
  • Work with adults with anxiety, depression, bipolar, ADHD and adjustment disorders.
  • Conduct psychological assessment, including learning disability, ADHD, substance use disorders, personality, etc.
  • Administer cognitive assessments to patients presenting with workers compensation and personal injury claims
  • Conduct psychological and psychoeducational testing evaluations for disability and vocational rehabilitation.
  • Conduct psychological and psychoeducational testing evaluations for disability and vocational rehabilitation.

Psychology associate example responsibilities.

  • Provide comprehensive clinical psychological services in the form of provision of evidence based psychotherapy for mental health patients.
  • Provide psychological services at the largest AF clinic in the busiest DoD community in the command.
  • Administer psychological testing including ADHD, cognitive functioning, and psychoeducational batteries.
  • Connect with community service boards in reviewing rehabilitation reports for developmentally challenge individuals.
  • Develop person-centered, collaborative treatment plans with patients and document specific and measurable progress.
  • Work with a diverse array of clients including severely mentally ill, physically/learning disable, mentally impaired/handicap, and prisoner rehabilitation populations
  • Show more

Psychological assistant vs psychology associate skills

Common psychological assistant skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • Crisis Intervention, 15%
  • Mental Illness, 13%
  • Clinical Supervision, 12%
  • PsyD, 5%
  • Psychological Assessments, 5%
Common psychology associate skills
  • Social Work, 16%
  • Group Therapy, 13%
  • Patients, 12%
  • Crisis Intervention, 11%
  • Mental Illness, 8%
  • Mental Health, 7%

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