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Youth advocate vs family counselor

The differences between youth advocates and family counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a youth advocate and a family counselor. Additionally, a family counselor has an average salary of $41,510, which is higher than the $33,924 average annual salary of a youth advocate.

The top three skills for a youth advocate include mental health, social work and foster care. The most important skills for a family counselor are social work, community resources, and POC.

Youth advocate vs family counselor overview

Youth AdvocateFamily Counselor
Yearly salary$33,924$41,510
Hourly rate$16.31$19.96
Growth rate9%14%
Number of jobs78,43793,253
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age4241
Years of experience44

What does a youth advocate do?

Youth advocates are individuals who responsible for maintaining the human rights of youth while assisting them in developing their skills in all areas of life, such as education, health, employment, and relationships. These advocates are required to discuss youth development and involvement with various leaders in the community. They must provide crisis interventions by performing one-on-one and group meetings with young adults. Youth advocates must also work with mental health professionals within the community so that they can guide teenagers with drug or alcohol problems and mental health issues.

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.

Youth advocate vs family counselor salary

Youth advocates and family counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Youth AdvocateFamily Counselor
Average salary$33,924$41,510
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $41,000Between $27,000 And $62,000
Highest paying CitySyracuse, NYNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew JerseyNew York
Best paying companyFirst Place for YouthShirley Ryan AbilityLab
Best paying industryAutomotiveProfessional

Differences between youth advocate and family counselor education

There are a few differences between a youth advocate and a family counselor in terms of educational background:

Youth AdvocateFamily Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Youth advocate vs family counselor demographics

Here are the differences between youth advocates' and family counselors' demographics:

Youth AdvocateFamily Counselor
Average age4241
Gender ratioMale, 38.6% Female, 61.4%Male, 26.3% Female, 73.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%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 Percentage10%6%

Differences between youth advocate and family counselor duties and responsibilities

Youth advocate example responsibilities.

  • Assist in achieving and maintaining DoD certification and national accreditation or equivalent compliance.
  • Assist patients in securing medical coverage by screening refer patients and coordinating the application process through successful approval.
  • Retain proper certifications for cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, first aid, driver's license and insurance.

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

Youth advocate vs family counselor skills

Common youth advocate skills
  • Mental Health, 10%
  • Social Work, 9%
  • Foster Care, 8%
  • Community Resources, 7%
  • Youth Development, 7%
  • Crisis Intervention, 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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