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Psychotherapist-counselor vs group counselor

The differences between psychotherapist-counselors and group 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 group counselor. Additionally, a psychotherapist-counselor has an average salary of $82,581, which is higher than the $40,155 average annual salary of a group counselor.

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

Psychotherapist-counselor vs group counselor overview

Psychotherapist-CounselorGroup Counselor
Yearly salary$82,581$40,155
Hourly rate$39.70$19.31
Growth rate11%9%
Number of jobs28,89984,413
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4141
Years of experience44

Psychotherapist-counselor vs group counselor salary

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

Psychotherapist-CounselorGroup Counselor
Average salary$82,581$40,155
Salary rangeBetween $59,000 And $114,000Between $14,000 And $110,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between psychotherapist-counselor and group counselor education

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

Psychotherapist-CounselorGroup Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Psychotherapist-counselor vs group counselor demographics

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

Psychotherapist-CounselorGroup Counselor
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 31.5% Female, 68.5%Male, 40.8% Female, 59.2%
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 group 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.

Group counselor example responsibilities.

  • Administer first aid and CPR when need.
  • Develop leadership skills while training younger counselors.
  • Execute leadership skills by planning and facilitating activities.
  • Work towards empowering juveniles and their families to support a positive lifestyle by providing strength base intensive intervention and rehabilitation services.
  • Provide behavior modification and social skills training to children and adolescents with ADHD and other behavioral and emotional disorders.

Psychotherapist-counselor vs group 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 group counselor skills
  • Mental Health, 23%
  • Patients, 21%
  • Crisis Intervention, 8%
  • Social Work, 8%
  • Rehabilitation, 7%
  • Group Therapy Sessions, 5%

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