Psychotherapist social worker vs psychiatric social worker

The differences between psychotherapist social workers and psychiatric 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 psychiatric social worker. Additionally, a psychiatric social worker has an average salary of $59,144, 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 psychiatric social worker are social work, patients, and crisis intervention.

Psychotherapist social worker vs psychiatric social worker overview

	Psychotherapist Social Worker	Psychiatric Social Worker
Yearly salary	$58,080	$59,144
Hourly rate	$27.92	$28.43
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	45,091	57,284
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Master's Degree, 58%	Master's Degree, 51%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	2	2

Psychotherapist social worker vs psychiatric social worker salary

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

	Psychotherapist Social Worker	Psychiatric Social Worker
Average salary	$58,080	$59,144
Salary range	Between $42,000 And $78,000	Between $43,000 And $79,000
Highest paying City	-	San Mateo, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	Highmark
Best paying industry	-	Government

Differences between psychotherapist social worker and psychiatric social worker education

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

	Psychotherapist Social Worker	Psychiatric Social Worker
Most common degree	Master's Degree, 58%	Master's Degree, 51%
Most common major	Social Work	Social Work
Most common college	California State University - Long Beach	University of Pennsylvania

Psychotherapist social worker vs psychiatric social worker demographics

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

	Psychotherapist Social Worker	Psychiatric Social Worker
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 30.8% Female, 69.2%	Male, 24.8% Female, 75.2%
Race ratio	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%	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 Percentage	13%	13%

Differences between psychotherapist social worker and psychiatric 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.

Psychiatric social worker example responsibilities.

Screen, identify, diagnose using DSM nomenclature, treat and manage mental health and/or substance abuse problems.
Provide clinical supervision and oversight to MSW intern who provide assessments and treatment.
Participate in weekly hospital social services meetings, weekly individual supervision, and facilitate change strategies for patients.
Guide, mentore, and tutor both BSW and MSW students in internship programs.
Assist individual in developing and practicing the skills define on their psychiatric rehabilitation plans.
Follow patients throughout hospitalization, working closely with attending psychiatrist; involve in family, individual and group treatment.

Psychotherapist social worker vs psychiatric 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 psychiatric social worker skills

Social Work, 23%
Patients, 16%
Crisis Intervention, 7%
Rehabilitation, 5%
Discharge Planning, 5%
Mental Health, 4%

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Psychotherapist Social Worker
Psychotherapist Social Worker vs Psychiatric Social Worker

Updated January 8, 2025

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