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Therapeutic mentor vs family counselor

The differences between therapeutic mentors and family counselors 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 family counselor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a family counselor has an average salary of $41,510, 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 family counselor are social work, community resources, and POC.

Therapeutic mentor vs family counselor overview

Therapeutic MentorFamily Counselor
Yearly salary$41,272$41,510
Hourly rate$19.84$19.96
Growth rate12%14%
Number of jobs66,07093,253
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age4341
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 family counselor do?

A Family Counselor treats married couples or family members in order to help them overcome mental or emotional problems. They provide effective treatment measures to help the family members resolve their issues.

Therapeutic mentor vs family counselor salary

Therapeutic mentors and family counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Therapeutic MentorFamily Counselor
Average salary$41,272$41,510
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $59,000Between $27,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City-New York, NY
Highest paying state-New York
Best paying company-Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between therapeutic mentor and family counselor education

There are a few differences between a therapeutic mentor and a family counselor in terms of educational background:

Therapeutic MentorFamily Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Therapeutic mentor vs family counselor demographics

Here are the differences between therapeutic mentors' and family counselors' demographics:

Therapeutic MentorFamily Counselor
Average age4341
Gender ratioMale, 38.9% Female, 61.1%Male, 26.3% Female, 73.7%
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, 7.0% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 4.6% White, 68.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage11%6%

Differences between therapeutic mentor and family counselor 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.

Family counselor example responsibilities.

  • Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
  • Assist the clients in completing their DCF case plan, helping to remove any hindrances they may encounter.
  • Counsele and test patients who requesting confidential HIV testing services
  • Collaborate and coordinate patient care with resident/faculty physicians to provide appropriate levels of care to patients.
  • Receive and process referrals from DCF and community-base case managers for individuals suspect as substance abusers.
  • Utilize PowerPoint presentations to facilitate ongoing new student orientation, ensuring students understand rules and regulations.
  • Show more

Therapeutic mentor vs family counselor 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 family counselor skills
  • Social Work, 22%
  • Community Resources, 13%
  • POC, 7%
  • Family Support, 5%
  • Family Therapy, 5%
  • DOD, 4%

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