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Creative Arts Therapy Jobs (NOW HIRING)

These positions design and implement creative/expressive arts therapy interventions to meet the patients' treatment goals and documents the patients' response and progress towards the goals ...

These positions design and implement creative/expressive arts therapy interventions to meet the patients' treatment goals and documents the patients' response and progress towards the goals ...

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Creative Arts Therapy information

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$119K

$125K

$129.5K

How much do creative arts therapy jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for creative arts therapy in the United States is $125,000.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $122,500.00 and $127,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges Creative Arts Therapists face when working with diverse client populations?

Creative Arts Therapists often work with clients from a variety of cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, which can present challenges in ensuring that therapeutic interventions are both relevant and accessible. Adapting creative modalities—such as art, music, or drama—to align with each client’s unique experiences and values requires cultural sensitivity and flexibility. Therapists must also be skilled at building trust and rapport, especially when clients may be unfamiliar with or hesitant about expressive therapies. Ongoing supervision, professional development, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams are essential for navigating these challenges effectively.

How much do creative arts therapists make?

Creative arts therapists in New York City typically earn between $50,000 and $75,000 annually, depending on experience, certification, and work setting. Salaries can vary based on whether they work in hospitals, schools, or private practice, and many hold licensure or certification in their specialty area.

What jobs can I get with an art therapy degree?

With an art therapy degree, you can work as an art therapist in hospitals, mental health clinics, schools, or community organizations, providing therapeutic services through creative expression. Additional certifications or licenses may be required depending on the setting and location, and strong communication and artistic skills are essential for success in these roles.

What is Creative Arts Therapy?

Creative Arts Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses creative modalities such as art, music, dance, drama, and writing to help individuals express themselves and address emotional, psychological, or social issues. Unlike traditional talk therapy, it leverages the creative process to foster self-awareness, personal growth, and healing. Creative arts therapists are specially trained professionals who guide clients through these activities in a therapeutic setting, making it suitable for people of all ages and backgrounds. This approach is used in a variety of settings, including hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, and private practices.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Creative Arts Therapist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Creative Arts Therapist, you need a background in psychology or counseling, a master's degree in creative arts therapy, and state licensure or certification. Familiarity with therapeutic assessment tools, documentation systems, and specialized art, music, or movement therapy techniques is typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, creativity, and emotional intelligence help build trust and facilitate client expression and healing. These skills and qualities are crucial for effectively supporting diverse clients in their therapeutic journeys and achieving positive mental health outcomes.

What is the difference between Creative Arts Therapy vs Art Therapist?

AspectCreative Arts TherapyArt Therapist
CredentialsMaster's degree in Creative Arts Therapy or related field, certification varies by stateMaster's degree in Art Therapy, certification (ATR or ATR-BC)
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, schools, mental health centersHospitals, mental health clinics, schools, private practice
Industry UsageUsed broadly for mental health, rehabilitation, and wellness programsPrimarily focused on mental health and emotional well-being through art

Creative Arts Therapy and Art Therapist roles overlap significantly, with both requiring similar credentials and working in healthcare or educational settings. The main difference lies in the scope: Creative Arts Therapy often encompasses multiple art modalities and broader therapeutic approaches, while Art Therapists focus specifically on art-based interventions. Both professions aim to improve mental health and emotional well-being through creative expression.

What does a creative arts therapist do?

A creative arts therapist uses artistic activities such as art, music, dance, or drama to help clients improve mental, emotional, or physical well-being. They assess clients' needs, develop treatment plans, and facilitate sessions in clinical or community settings, often requiring relevant certifications and strong interpersonal skills.

What jobs can you do with art therapy?

With a background in art therapy, you can work as an art therapist in settings such as hospitals, mental health clinics, schools, or rehabilitation centers, providing therapeutic services to clients of various ages. Other related roles include creative arts therapist, mental health counselor, or art program coordinator, often requiring relevant certifications and strong interpersonal skills. These positions typically involve using art as a tool to support emotional, psychological, and physical healing.
More about Creative Arts Therapy jobs
What cities are hiring for Creative Arts Therapy jobs? Cities with the most Creative Arts Therapy job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Creative Arts Therapy jobs? The most popular types of Creative Arts Therapy jobs are:
What states have the most Creative Arts Therapy jobs? States with the most job openings for Creative Arts Therapy jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Creative Arts Therapy jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Creative Arts Therapy jobs are:
Infographic showing various Creative Arts Therapy job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $125,000 per year, or $60.1 per hour.
Creative Arts Therapist Flex

Creative Arts Therapist Flex

Children's Hospital Colorado

Aurora, CO • On-site

$32.21/hr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago


Children's Hospital Colorado rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 78 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

333rd of 1,023 rated hospitals


Job description

The Creative Arts Therapist provides Creative Arts Therapy services addressing the psychotherapeutic needs of children and adolescents in psychiatric and medical units. The Creative Arts Therapist help patients and family members gain insight and understanding of themselves and their situations through art, music, dance/ movement, drama, or yoga therapy. Works together with the Ponzio Program Manager to provide mentoring and supervision for Creative Arts Therapy Interns placed in these settings. Expands Creative Arts Therapy services through networking, in services, and patient care throughout hospital.
The Creative Arts Therapist FLEX provides coverage across medical units. This role requires advanced clinical skills and the ability to work effectively with diverse ages, diagnoses, and high-acuity populations, particularly in ICU settings. Preferred candidates are board-certified Music Therapists with a master's degree, experience in medical units, and a flexible schedule.
Duties & Responsibilities
  • POPULATION SPECIFIC CARE
    Neonate - <30 days
    Infancy - >30 days to 1yr
    Toddlers - >1yr to 3yrs
    Pre-Schoolers - >3yrs to 5yrs
    School age - >5yrs to 13yrs
    Adolescent - >13yrs to 18yrs
    Adult - >18yrs to 65yrs

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential functions. These examples do not include all of the functions which the employee may be expected to perform.
  • 1. Leads, monitors and facilitates individual and group creative arts therapy using modality-specific practices.
    2. Provides bedside creative arts therapy services to any medical patient by referral.
    3. Facilitation of Multi-Family groups in collaboration with other mental health professionals.
    4. Exhibits mastery of creative arts therapy modality and use of modality to guide treatment process.
    5. Documents all patient experiences in EPIC.
    6. Reviews and records progress in patient treatment plans with appropriate documentation.
    7. Coordinates creative arts therapy treatment with internal and external services.
    8. Participates in clinical rounds, maintains communication with unit or department leadership.
    9. Collaborates with other disciplines or departments on patient care and unit safety.
    10. Exhibits ability to problem solve and manage crisis situations effectively.
    11. Completes required Safety Care training and exhibits mastery.
    12. Maintains CPR certification through RQI monitoring.

SCOPE & LEVEL
GUIDELINES: Developmental, standard, or intermediate level. Guidelines are generally numerous, well established, and directly applicable to the work assignment. Work assignment and desired results are explained by general oral or written instructions.
COMPLEXITY: Duties assigned are generally repetitive and restricted in scope but may be of substantial intricacy. Employee primarily applies standardized practices.
DECISION MAKING: Decisions or recommendations on non-standardized situations are limited to relating organizational policies to specific cases. Brings non-routine issues to supervisor. Problems that are not covered by guidelines or are without precedent are taken up with the supervisor.
COMMUNICATIONS: Contacts with the patients, families, or employees where explanatory or interpretive information is exchanged, gathered, or presented and some degree of discretion and judgment are required within the parameters of the job function.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Under normal supervision, within a standardized work situation, the employee performs duties common to the line of work without close supervision or detailed instruction. Work product is subject to continual review.
Minimum Qualifications
  • Degrees
    • Bachelor's
    • Master's Preferred
  • Experience
    • Completed internship within a pediatric medical or psychiatric setting.
    • Board Certified Music Therapist Preferred
  • Equivalency
    • One (1) year experience of fulltime clinical creative arts therapy experience working with children or adolescents.
  • Licenses & Certifications
    • Healthcare Provider BLS/CPR certification and registration with modality national board..

Schedule/Shift
  • Flex - As needed
  • Days varies 9-5 (Sun-Sat)

Salary Information
Pay is dependent on applicant's relevant experience.
Hourly Rate of Pay: $32.21
Benefits Information
As a Children's Hospital Colorado team member, you will receive a competitive pay and benefits package designed to take care of your needs that includes base pay, incentives, paid sick leave and a robust wellness program.
As part of our Total Rewards package, Children's Colorado offers an annual employee bonus program that rewards eligible team members based on organizational performance. If organizational goals are met for the year, the bonus is paid out the following April.
Children's Colorado delivers annual base pay increases to eligible team members based on their performance over the previous year.
EEO Statement
It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or any other status protected by law or regulation. Be aware that none of the questions are intended to imply illegal preferences or discrimination based on non-job-related information. The position is expected to stay open until the posted close date. Please submit your application as soon as possible as the posting is subject to close at any time once a sufficient pool of qualified applicants is obtained.
Colorado Residents: In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
Estimated Close Date
08/16/2026
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