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Psychotherapist social worker vs clinical social worker

The differences between psychotherapist social workers and clinical social workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a psychotherapist social worker and a clinical social worker. Additionally, a clinical social worker has an average salary of $63,056, which is higher than the $58,080 average annual salary of a psychotherapist social worker.

The top three skills for a psychotherapist social worker include social work, group therapy sessions and treatment plan reviews. The most important skills for a clinical social worker are social work, patients, and behavioral health.

Psychotherapist social worker vs clinical social worker overview

Psychotherapist Social WorkerClinical Social Worker
Yearly salary$58,080$63,056
Hourly rate$27.92$30.32
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs45,091124,816
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeMaster's Degree, 58%Master's Degree, 54%
Average age4545
Years of experience22

Psychotherapist social worker vs clinical social worker salary

Psychotherapist social workers and clinical social workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Psychotherapist Social WorkerClinical Social Worker
Average salary$58,080$63,056
Salary rangeBetween $42,000 And $78,000Between $42,000 And $92,000
Highest paying City-Santa Rosa, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Tucson Electric Power
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between psychotherapist social worker and clinical social worker education

There are a few differences between a psychotherapist social worker and a clinical social worker in terms of educational background:

Psychotherapist Social WorkerClinical Social Worker
Most common degreeMaster's Degree, 58%Master's Degree, 54%
Most common majorSocial WorkSocial Work
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachUniversity of Pennsylvania

Psychotherapist social worker vs clinical social worker demographics

Here are the differences between psychotherapist social workers' and clinical social workers' demographics:

Psychotherapist Social WorkerClinical Social Worker
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 30.8% Female, 69.2%Male, 21.7% Female, 78.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 19.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 3.3% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 19.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 3.3% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage13%13%

Differences between psychotherapist social worker and clinical social worker duties and responsibilities

Psychotherapist social worker example responsibilities.

  • Screen, identify, diagnose using DSM nomenclature, treat and manage mental health and/or substance abuse problems.
  • Assist patients to apply for Medicaid, food stamps, medical insurance, housing, and SSI/SSD.
  • Assist clients in ascertaining eligibility for SSA, Medicare and MD Medicaid (including ACA) and completing requisite applications.
  • Work with a complex interdisciplinary team facilitating treatment for patients on medical floors including oncology, dialysis, cardiac and maternity.
  • Integrate a therapeutic/clinical model base on of DBT that support student academic, behavioral and social success.

Clinical social worker example responsibilities.

  • Understand manage care, Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
  • Screen, identify, diagnose using DSM nomenclature, treat and manage mental health and/or substance abuse problems.
  • Provide clinical services to patients in rehabilitation and oncology including assessment, crisis intervention, grief therapy, and discharge planning.
  • Provide individual, group, family therapy, team coordination, discharge planning, utilization review and MSW student supervision.
  • Participate in weekly interdisciplinary team meetings to determine Medicare length of skil nursing stay.
  • Facilitate therapy, symptom management, and rehabilitation groups for mental health clients in partial hospitalization setting.
  • Show more

Psychotherapist social worker vs clinical social worker skills

Common psychotherapist social worker skills
  • Social Work, 33%
  • Group Therapy Sessions, 12%
  • Treatment Plan Reviews, 8%
  • Discharge Planning, 7%
  • Mental Health, 7%
  • Substance Abuse, 5%
Common clinical social worker skills
  • Social Work, 28%
  • Patients, 17%
  • Behavioral Health, 6%
  • Patient Care, 5%
  • Community Resources, 4%
  • MSW, 3%

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