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Therapeutic mentor vs service counselor

The differences between therapeutic mentors and service counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a therapeutic mentor and a service counselor. Additionally, a therapeutic mentor has an average salary of $41,272, which is higher than the $35,402 average annual salary of a service counselor.

The top three skills for a therapeutic mentor include skill building, behavior management and interpersonal communication. The most important skills for a service counselor are social work, crisis intervention, and patients.

Therapeutic mentor vs service counselor overview

Therapeutic MentorService Counselor
Yearly salary$41,272$35,402
Hourly rate$19.84$17.02
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs66,07044,284
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

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 service counselor do?

Service counselors provide guidance to couples, individuals, groups, and families who are going through issues that influence their well-being and mental health. They comprehensively approach their clients by utilizing a "wellness" model that focuses on and motivate the client's potentials. Their duties include inspiring clients to talk about their emotions and experiences, helping them determine their action plans and goals, as well as designing therapeutic methods. Also, they may refer their clients to other services or psychologists.

Therapeutic mentor vs service counselor salary

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

Therapeutic MentorService Counselor
Average salary$41,272$35,402
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $59,000Between $24,000 And $51,000
Highest paying City-Urban Honolulu, HI
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-Google
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between therapeutic mentor and service counselor education

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

Therapeutic MentorService Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachSUNY at Binghamton

Therapeutic mentor vs service counselor demographics

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

Therapeutic MentorService Counselor
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 38.9% Female, 61.1%Male, 33.3% Female, 66.7%
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, 12.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 7.1% White, 54.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between therapeutic mentor and service 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.

Service counselor example responsibilities.

  • Develop contracting strategy to build capacity and achieve ongoing compliance with Medicare and Medicaid provider network adequacy requirements.
  • Implement patient financial services department to assist patients and family members to ensure successful patient representation and expeditious benefit recovery.
  • Examine injured persons and administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if necessary, using training and medical supplies and equipment.

Therapeutic mentor vs service 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 service counselor skills
  • Social Work, 16%
  • Crisis Intervention, 9%
  • Patients, 7%
  • Support Services, 6%
  • Social Services, 6%
  • Rehabilitation, 6%

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