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Psychotherapist-counselor vs clinical counselor

The differences between psychotherapist-counselors and clinical counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a psychotherapist-counselor and a clinical counselor. Additionally, a psychotherapist-counselor has an average salary of $82,581, which is higher than the $54,191 average annual salary of a clinical counselor.

The top three skills for a psychotherapist-counselor include family therapy, social work and mental health issues. The most important skills for a clinical counselor are social work, patients, and foster care.

Psychotherapist-counselor vs clinical counselor overview

Psychotherapist-CounselorClinical Counselor
Yearly salary$82,581$54,191
Hourly rate$39.70$26.05
Growth rate11%17%
Number of jobs28,899146,133
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age4141
Years of experience44

Psychotherapist-counselor vs clinical counselor salary

Psychotherapist-counselors and clinical counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Psychotherapist-CounselorClinical Counselor
Average salary$82,581$54,191
Salary rangeBetween $59,000 And $114,000Between $43,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City-Bethesda, MD
Highest paying state-Maryland
Best paying company-Novo Nordisk
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between psychotherapist-counselor and clinical counselor education

There are a few differences between a psychotherapist-counselor and a clinical counselor in terms of educational background:

Psychotherapist-CounselorClinical Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Psychotherapist-counselor vs clinical counselor demographics

Here are the differences between psychotherapist-counselors' and clinical counselors' demographics:

Psychotherapist-CounselorClinical Counselor
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 31.5% Female, 68.5%Male, 28.4% Female, 71.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 3.2% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 3.2% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage15%15%

Differences between psychotherapist-counselor and clinical counselor duties and responsibilities

Psychotherapist-counselor example responsibilities.

  • Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
  • Collaborate with other professionals in multidisciplinary staff meetings to evaluate patients' medical or physical condition and to assess client needs.
  • Collaborate with peers in leadership capacity at recreational summer camp leading, coordinating and organizing daily activities and weekly field trips.

Clinical counselor example responsibilities.

  • Manage a caseload of individuals in programs design to provide vocational rehabilitation and other services to the developmentally disable.
  • Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
  • Perform client intake assessments and conduct monthly assessments to identify progress of patients and determine individuals ready to graduate from program.
  • Review charts to ensure that they are in compliance with OASAS standards.
  • Initial assessment, diagnosis, ASAM criteria, treatment planning , 3rd party contact, group and individual therapy.
  • Maintain appropriate documentation per NYS OASAS regulations and APG guidelines
  • Show more

Psychotherapist-counselor vs clinical counselor skills

Common psychotherapist-counselor skills
  • Family Therapy, 12%
  • Social Work, 12%
  • Mental Health Issues, 11%
  • Crisis Intervention, 10%
  • Clinical Supervision, 8%
  • Substance Abuse, 8%
Common clinical counselor skills
  • Social Work, 36%
  • Patients, 8%
  • Foster Care, 7%
  • Independent Living, 6%
  • Child Abuse, 4%
  • Clinical Services, 3%

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