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Therapeutic mentor vs program counselor

The differences between therapeutic mentors and program 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 program counselor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a program counselor has an average salary of $43,820, 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 program counselor are developmental disabilities, patients, and community integration.

Therapeutic mentor vs program counselor overview

Therapeutic MentorProgram Counselor
Yearly salary$41,272$43,820
Hourly rate$19.84$21.07
Growth rate12%10%
Number of jobs66,070133,491
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
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 program counselor do?

A Program Counselor is an essential part of a school's faculty. It's the counselor's responsibility to ensure that students are benefiting from the school's educational curriculum. This person is also tasked to help students resolve issues and problems that may hinder any educational progress. They are also part of the disciplinary team intended to instill good morals, ethics, and decency in students. The Program Counselor is one of the teacher or professor who has expertise or has a high educational degree in a particular subject or field.

Therapeutic mentor vs program counselor salary

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

Therapeutic MentorProgram Counselor
Average salary$41,272$43,820
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $59,000Between $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 therapeutic mentor and program counselor education

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

Therapeutic MentorProgram Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Therapeutic mentor vs program counselor demographics

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

Therapeutic MentorProgram Counselor
Average age4341
Gender ratioMale, 38.9% Female, 61.1%Male, 35.9% Female, 64.1%
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, 11.3% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 3.2% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage11%15%

Differences between therapeutic mentor and program 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.

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

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

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