Post job

Psychotherapist-counselor vs program counselor

The differences between psychotherapist-counselors and program 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 program counselor. Additionally, a psychotherapist-counselor has an average salary of $82,581, which is higher than the $43,820 average annual salary of a program counselor.

The top three skills for a psychotherapist-counselor include family therapy, social work and mental health issues. The most important skills for a program counselor are developmental disabilities, patients, and community integration.

Psychotherapist-counselor vs program counselor overview

Psychotherapist-CounselorProgram Counselor
Yearly salary$82,581$43,820
Hourly rate$39.70$21.07
Growth rate11%10%
Number of jobs28,899133,491
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4141
Years of experience44

Psychotherapist-counselor vs program counselor salary

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

Psychotherapist-CounselorProgram Counselor
Average salary$82,581$43,820
Salary rangeBetween $59,000 And $114,000Between $33,000 And $58,000
Highest paying City-New York, NY
Highest paying state-New York
Best paying company-Russell Sage College
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between psychotherapist-counselor and program counselor education

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

Psychotherapist-CounselorProgram Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Psychotherapist-counselor vs program counselor demographics

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

Psychotherapist-CounselorProgram Counselor
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 31.5% Female, 68.5%Male, 35.9% Female, 64.1%
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 program 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.

Program counselor example responsibilities.

  • Lead recreational activities for adolescents with ADHD and other behavior disorders.
  • Provide education, within hospital setting, to adolescent psychiatric patients regarding substance abuse and dependency issues.
  • Receive CPR and first aid certifications.
  • Attend and receive CPR and basic restraint technique certifications.
  • Assist each client with compassion to encourage them on their journey to recovery.
  • Encourage and mentore residents during their recovery and rehabilitation process.
  • Show more

Psychotherapist-counselor vs program 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 program counselor skills
  • Developmental Disabilities, 11%
  • Patients, 11%
  • Community Integration, 9%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Social Work, 8%
  • Medication Administration, 7%

Browse community and social services jobs