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Vocational rehabilitation counselor vs family therapist

The differences between vocational rehabilitation counselors and family therapists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a vocational rehabilitation counselor, becoming a family therapist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a family therapist has an average salary of $50,774, which is higher than the $45,871 average annual salary of a vocational rehabilitation counselor.

The top three skills for a vocational rehabilitation counselor include rehabilitation, substance abuse and transferable. The most important skills for a family therapist are social work, patients, and rehabilitation.

Vocational rehabilitation counselor vs family therapist overview

Vocational Rehabilitation CounselorFamily Therapist
Yearly salary$45,871$50,774
Hourly rate$22.05$24.41
Growth rate11%14%
Number of jobs78,174106,982
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4541
Years of experience124

What does a vocational rehabilitation counselor do?

The primary role of a vocational rehabilitation counselor is to help disabled people to live fully and independently. Vocational rehabilitation counselors assist people with disabilities in securing employment. They provide health care to those who are coping with mental illness, substance abuse issues, psychological disorders, or physical disabilities. Knowledge of patient care, health management, rehabilitation program, and clinical psychology is a must for this job.

What does a family therapist do?

A Family Therapist works with couples and families to help ameliorate marital and family issues. They can work in hospitals, treatment programs, government agencies, health organizations, and private practices.

Vocational rehabilitation counselor vs family therapist salary

Vocational rehabilitation counselors and family therapists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Vocational Rehabilitation CounselorFamily Therapist
Average salary$45,871$50,774
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $62,000Between $37,000 And $67,000
Highest paying CityWilliston, NDRochester, NY
Highest paying stateNew JerseyOregon
Best paying companyNew York State Restaurant AssociationDignity Health
Best paying industryNon ProfitsHealth Care

Differences between vocational rehabilitation counselor and family therapist education

There are a few differences between a vocational rehabilitation counselor and a family therapist in terms of educational background:

Vocational Rehabilitation CounselorFamily Therapist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Vocational rehabilitation counselor vs family therapist demographics

Here are the differences between vocational rehabilitation counselors' and family therapists' demographics:

Vocational Rehabilitation CounselorFamily Therapist
Average age4541
Gender ratioMale, 29.4% Female, 70.6%Male, 25.8% Female, 74.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 2.9% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7%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 Percentage21%6%

Differences between vocational rehabilitation counselor and family therapist duties and responsibilities

Vocational rehabilitation counselor example responsibilities.

  • Collaborate with institutions of higher learning and local organizations to help assign veterans achieve independent living and academic success.
  • Conduct vocational assessments, transferable skills analyses, labor market surveys; write r sum s and relate correspondence.
  • Conduct diagnosis interview, eligibility determination, review assessments, plan and implement individual plan for employment (IPE).
  • Determine eligibility for services and develop individualized rehabilitation programs.
  • Provide independent professional vocational rehabilitation counseling to individuals with disabilities.
  • Apply creative and professional conflict resolution strategies to ensure RTW plan success.
  • Show more

Family therapist example responsibilities.

  • Complete documentation to medicaid standards.
  • Create maximum billable Medicaid hours and submitting necessary paperwork for Medicaid billing.
  • Apply behavioral analysis instruction for a student with autism concentrating on communication, socialization, self-help skills and community skills.
  • Receive and process referrals from DCF and community-base case managers for individuals suspect as substance abusers.

Vocational rehabilitation counselor vs family therapist skills

Common vocational rehabilitation counselor skills
  • Rehabilitation, 20%
  • Substance Abuse, 12%
  • Transferable, 8%
  • Plan Development, 7%
  • Vocational Assessments, 6%
  • Social Work, 6%
Common family therapist skills
  • Social Work, 27%
  • Patients, 6%
  • Rehabilitation, 4%
  • Community Resources, 4%
  • Mental Health Issues, 4%
  • Group Therapy, 3%

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