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Vocational rehabilitation counselor vs licensed professional counselor

The differences between vocational rehabilitation counselors and licensed professional 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 vocational rehabilitation counselor, becoming a licensed professional counselor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a licensed professional counselor has an average salary of $94,675, 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 licensed professional counselor are patients, social work, and LPC.

Vocational rehabilitation counselor vs licensed professional counselor overview

Vocational Rehabilitation CounselorLicensed Professional Counselor
Yearly salary$45,871$94,675
Hourly rate$22.05$45.52
Growth rate11%6%
Number of jobs78,174153,612
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Master's Degree, 48%
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 licensed professional counselor do?

A licensed professional counselor is a healthcare professional who specializes in providing therapy and counseling to patients with emotional and mental health issues. They listen to their patients and utilize various techniques to address concerns and help through the healing procedures. Their duties entail conducting interviews and evaluations, performing research and assessments, studying the patients' medical histories, providing consultations, and developing treatment plans that suit every patients' needs. Additionally, a licensed professional counselor monitors and records their patients' progress, adjusting treatments and medications as necessary.

Vocational rehabilitation counselor vs licensed professional counselor salary

Vocational rehabilitation counselors and licensed professional counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Vocational Rehabilitation CounselorLicensed Professional Counselor
Average salary$45,871$94,675
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $62,000Between $73,000 And $122,000
Highest paying CityWilliston, NDNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew JerseyNew York
Best paying companyNew York State Restaurant AssociationBloomberg
Best paying industryNon ProfitsReal Estate

Differences between vocational rehabilitation counselor and licensed professional counselor education

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

Vocational Rehabilitation CounselorLicensed Professional Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Master's Degree, 48%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachNorthwestern University

Vocational rehabilitation counselor vs licensed professional counselor demographics

Here are the differences between vocational rehabilitation counselors' and licensed professional counselors' demographics:

Vocational Rehabilitation CounselorLicensed Professional Counselor
Average age4541
Gender ratioMale, 29.4% Female, 70.6%Male, 28.8% Female, 71.2%
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, 11.3% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 3.2% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage21%15%

Differences between vocational rehabilitation counselor and licensed professional counselor 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

Licensed professional counselor example responsibilities.

  • Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
  • Provide clinical supervision to LPC candidates, contract clinicians and counseling psychology practicum/internship students.
  • Assign, direct, and provide supervision of screening assessment complete by LPC and LCSW.
  • Conduct intakes and assessments on new admissions and recommend placement into services base on ASAM criteria.
  • Coordinate with the patient's family, attending physician, other hospitals and agencies following HIPAA standards.
  • Specialize in OCD and animal assist psychotherapy.
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Vocational rehabilitation counselor vs licensed professional counselor skills

Common vocational rehabilitation counselor skills
  • Rehabilitation, 20%
  • Substance Abuse, 12%
  • Transferable, 8%
  • Plan Development, 7%
  • Vocational Assessments, 6%
  • Social Work, 6%
Common licensed professional counselor skills
  • Patients, 13%
  • Social Work, 12%
  • LPC, 10%
  • Real Estate, 10%
  • Individual Therapy, 8%
  • Crisis Intervention, 6%

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