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Therapeutic mentor vs behavioral health specialist

The differences between therapeutic mentors and behavioral health specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a therapeutic mentor, becoming a behavioral health specialist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a behavioral health specialist has an average salary of $44,808, which is higher than the $41,272 average annual salary of a therapeutic mentor.

The top three skills for a therapeutic mentor include skill building, behavior management and interpersonal communication. The most important skills for a behavioral health specialist are patients, social work, and substance abuse.

Therapeutic mentor vs behavioral health specialist overview

Therapeutic MentorBehavioral Health Specialist
Yearly salary$41,272$44,808
Hourly rate$19.84$21.54
Growth rate12%9%
Number of jobs66,070130,222
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age4345
Years of experience124

What does a therapeutic mentor do?

Therapeutic mentoring sessions typically take place between youths and a professional, usually a Therapeutic Mentor. He/She works with social services to provide therapeutic support services to youths that are under age 21 dealing with various issues. As a mentor, you'll be conducting one-on-one strength-based sessions with youths and, sometimes, their families. Your duties will include providing conflict resolution and crisis intervention in a family setting, developing healthy family relationships, and supervising development programs designed to help the youth succeed.

What does a behavioral health specialist do?

Typically working for clinics and learning institutions, a behavioral health specialist is in charge of counseling and treating patients with behavioral issues. Their responsibilities revolve around conducting initial assessment through interview and observation, maintaining records and data, developing treatment plans, and referring patients to other support services when necessary. Moreover, a behavioral health specialist must communicate with the patient's families or guardians, discuss conditions, and provide advice on taking care of them. Aside from treating patients, it is also essential to continuously monitor their behavior while building positive relationships with them.

Therapeutic mentor vs behavioral health specialist salary

Therapeutic mentors and behavioral health specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Therapeutic MentorBehavioral Health Specialist
Average salary$41,272$44,808
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $59,000Between $29,000 And $66,000
Highest paying City-Anchorage, AK
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Maxim Healthcare Group
Best paying industry-Insurance

Differences between therapeutic mentor and behavioral health specialist education

There are a few differences between a therapeutic mentor and a behavioral health specialist in terms of educational background:

Therapeutic MentorBehavioral Health Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Therapeutic mentor vs behavioral health specialist demographics

Here are the differences between therapeutic mentors' and behavioral health specialists' demographics:

Therapeutic MentorBehavioral Health Specialist
Average age4345
Gender ratioMale, 38.9% Female, 61.1%Male, 29.2% Female, 70.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.7% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 5.4% White, 58.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.9%Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 3.1% White, 74.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage11%15%

Differences between therapeutic mentor and behavioral health specialist duties and responsibilities

Therapeutic mentor example responsibilities.

  • Provide individualize intervention for problematic behaviors using TCI techniques such as de-escalation, to prevent and/or manage crisis.
  • Attend IEP meetings to validate the treatment that the client is doing outside of school.
  • Document treatment plans, and assist with IEP sessions, interventions, and client behaviors using Microsoft applications.
  • Develop a mentoring relationship with assign DCF youth in a one-on-one setting
  • Support students in developing effective study habits, time management skills, academic motivation, and organization skills.
  • Teach positive social skills, weight training, assistance with homework and studying the bible to promote spiritual growth.

Behavioral health specialist example responsibilities.

  • Provide individualize intervention for problematic behaviors using TCI techniques such as de-escalation, to prevent and/or manage crisis.
  • Complete training in CPR, self-defense, and mental health.
  • Monitor meals for residents suffering from eating disorders and provide compassion and encouragement when an individual are struggling with eating.
  • Work with kids who have special needs.
  • Ensure departments are in compliance with MSHA and OSHA regulations.
  • Provide daily and weekly detail reports on client and BHP interaction.
  • Show more

Therapeutic mentor vs behavioral health specialist skills

Common therapeutic mentor skills
  • Skill Building, 8%
  • Behavior Management, 8%
  • Interpersonal Communication, 7%
  • Role Model, 7%
  • In-Home Therapy, 6%
  • Support Services, 6%
Common behavioral health specialist skills
  • Patients, 16%
  • Social Work, 16%
  • Substance Abuse, 8%
  • Rehabilitation, 6%
  • Patient Care, 6%
  • Mental Illness, 5%

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