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Creative Arts Therapy Intern Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Creative Arts Therapy Intern information

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$19K

$33.7K

$36.5K

How much do creative arts therapy intern jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for creative arts therapy intern in the United States is $33,716.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $34,500.00 and $35,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a creative arts therapy intern?

Creative Arts Therapy Interns are students or recent graduates who are gaining hands-on experience in using creative arts—such as music, art, dance, or drama—as therapeutic tools. They work under the supervision of licensed creative arts therapists to support clients in expressing emotions, improving mental health, and enhancing their overall well-being. Their responsibilities often include assisting with therapy sessions, preparing materials, and learning how to apply various creative interventions. Internships are typically part of a graduate program requirement and provide essential practical experience for those pursuing certification or licensure in creative arts therapy.

What types of clients and settings can a creative arts therapy intern expect to work with during their internship?

As a Creative Arts Therapy Intern, you will typically work with diverse client populations, including children, adolescents, adults, or older adults facing mental health challenges, developmental disabilities, trauma, or medical conditions. Internships often take place in varied settings such as hospitals, schools, community centers, or mental health clinics. You may facilitate group or individual sessions under supervision, collaborate with licensed therapists, and gain experience adapting creative interventions to meet clients’ unique needs. This diversity offers valuable exposure and helps you develop a broad skill set for future practice.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a creative arts therapy intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Creative Arts Therapy Intern, you need a background in psychology or counseling, foundational knowledge of creative arts modalities, and enrollment in (or recent completion of) a relevant graduate program. Familiarity with therapeutic assessment tools, documentation software, and arts-based materials is typically expected. Strong interpersonal skills, creativity, and empathy help interns connect with clients and tailor interventions to individual needs. These competencies ensure effective therapeutic engagement and support client growth within supervised clinical environments.

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

AspectCreative Arts Therapy InternCreative Arts Therapist
CredentialsTypically pursuing or recently completed relevant graduate degree; may require supervised hoursLicensed or certified professional with full credentials
Work EnvironmentInternship settings such as clinics, hospitals, schools under supervisionIndependent practice or employment in healthcare, mental health, or educational settings
Industry UsageTraining stage, often part of educational programFull professional role with client responsibilities

In summary, a Creative Arts Therapy Intern is in training and gaining supervised experience, while a Creative Arts Therapist is a fully credentialed professional providing independent therapy services.

What cities are hiring for Creative Arts Therapy Intern jobs?

Cities with the most Creative Arts Therapy Intern job openings:

What states have the most Creative Arts Therapy Intern jobs?

States with the most job openings for Creative Arts Therapy Intern jobs include:

Creative Arts Therapist-L II

NYC Health Hospitals

Manhattan, NY • On-site

Other

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 24 days ago


NYC Health + Hospitals rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 74 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

239th of 893 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Kings County Hospital Center has a rich legacy for its pioneering role in medicine. Today, with over 625 beds, our hospital remains on the cutting edge of technology and provides the most modern procedures with state-of-the-art equipment. Built in 1831 as a one room infirmary for publicly supported care of the sick, Kings County Hospital Center continues to be a leading healthcare facility whose mission is to provide care to everyone regardless of their ability to pay. The hospital provides a wide range of health services, and specialties are offered in all fields of modern medicine. More than 200 clinics provide a wide array of ambulatory care services.
At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care health services, without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.
Work Shifts
9:00 A.M - 5:00 P.M
Duties & Responsibilities
Purpose of Position:
This class of positions encompasses professional and/or supervisory work of varying degrees of difficulty in the operation of a creative arts therapy department providing therapeutic services through the utilization of various modalities, principles and techniques specific to the creative arts therapy discipline. All personnel perform related work.
Under direction, with broad latitude for independent judgment and decision making, performs difficult and responsible professional work in the creative arts therapy discipline.
Examples of Typical Tasks:
At a higher level, performs the duties of Assignment Level I:
1. Establishes and implements comprehensive therapeutic group/individual therapy programs utilizing principles and practices of creative arts therapy.
2. Conducts individual assessments of patient's strengths and weaknesses to evaluate social, cognitive, psychological and physical functioning through the creative arts process.
3. Develops treatment goals and objectives based on initial and ongoing assessments designed to improve functioning through the utilization of the techniques unique to the creative arts therapy discipline.
4. Implements therapeutic interventions utilizing art, music, drama, dance or poetry as a modality to facilitate the patient's attainment of goals articulated in the patient treatment plans.
5. Participates as an active member of the interdisciplinary treatment team by attending meetings and contributing to the formulation of individual patient comprehensive treatment plans.
6. Writes regular progress notes on patient's behavior and responses to treatment goals.
7. Prepares and maintains records, progress reports, statistical information and participates in departmental and facility-wide quality assurance/performance improvement (QA/PI) activities.
8. Prepares supply requisitions and maintains inventories of equipment and supplies as designated.
9. May be assigned to coordinate and supervise the activities of auxiliary staff in related therapeutic disciplines.
10. May be assigned to instruct and supervise volunteers, interns and students in the areas of creative arts therapy.
11. Performs other related duties as assigned.
In addition to performing the duties of Assignment Level I at a higher level, as described above, also performs the following typical tasks:
1. Serves as a professional resource to Creative Arts Therapists in the development and implementation of specialized treatment interventions utilizing non-verbal, diagnostic and expressive techniques.
2. Provides consultation for complex cases in the evaluation of social, cognitive, psychological and physical functioning through the creative arts therapy process.
3. Monitors, documents and evaluates the attainment of creative arts therapy goals as part of the therapeutic process.
4. May represent the department at conferences, workshops, hospital or community functions; reports actions and findings to department.
5. May develop and conduct departmental training programs to introduce new developments and techniques within the creative arts therapy discipline.
6. May be assigned to function as a primary therapist, as long as practicing within the boundaries of professional competency, as specified in the New York State Education Law, Article 163, Section 8407.
7. Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Assignment Level I
1. A valid License or Limited Permit issued by the New York State Education Department to practice as a Creative Arts Therapist. Employees working with a Limited Permit must obtain
Licensure within two years from their date of appointment.
Assignment Level II
1. A valid License issued by the New York State Education Department to practice as a Creative Arts Therapist; and
2. Two years of full-time, paid, professional experience in creative arts therapy.
Assignment Level III
In addition to meeting the requirements for Assignment Levels II, Assignment Level III
requires:
1. One additional year of experience.
Benefits
NYC Health and Hospitals offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

  • Comprehensive Health Benefits for employees hired to work 20+ hrs. per week
  • Retirement Savings and Pension Plans
  • Paid Holidays and Vacation in accordance with employees' Collectively bargained contracts
  • Loan Forgiveness Programs for eligible employees
  • College tuition discounts and professional development opportunities
  • College Savings Program
  • Union Benefits for eligible titles
  • Multiple employee discounts programs
  • Commuter Benefits Programs

If you wish to apply for this position, please apply online by clicking the "Apply for Job" button.

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