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Expressive Therapist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Chicago Behavioral Hospital

Expressive Therapist

Des Plaines, IL · On-site

$23 - $26/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

JOIN OUR TEAM AS AN EXPRESSIVE THERAPIST! Your Work Matters How will you make a difference? Join our dynamic team at Chicago Behavioral Hospital and make a difference as an Expressive Therapist ! In ...

Josselyn

Expressive Therapist

Waukegan, IL · On-site

$50K - $65K/yr

The Expressive Therapist is responsible for clinical services provided to children, adolescents and/or adults, as assigned. The clinician is held accountable for all related clinical, administrative ...

Josselyn

Expressive Therapist

Waukegan, IL

The Expressive Therapist is responsible for clinical services provided to children, adolescents and/or adults, as assigned. The clinician is held accountable for all related clinical, administrative ...

Loretto Hospital

Expressive Therapist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$20 - $28/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

SUMMARY The Expressive Therapist at Loretto Hospital will play a crucial role in enhancing the emotional and psychological well-being of patients through creative therapeutic techniques. This ...

V COVINGTON LLC

Expressive Therapist (PRN)

Waukegan, IL · On-site

$35/hr

JOIN OUR TEAM AS A EXPRESSIVE THERAPIST (PRN)! Schedule 8am-4pm (Recreation, Music, Art, Yoga) Your Work Matters How will you make a difference? Join our dynamic team at Lake Behavioral Hospital and ...

KVC Health Systems

Expressive Therapist

Kansas City, MO · On-site

$45K - $68K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Kansas City, MO Salary: $45,000-$68,000 annually (Depending on certification/registration and experience) Job Summary The Expressive Therapist will work with children and adolescents in residential ...

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Expressive Therapist information

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$26.5K

$66.1K

$98K

How much do expressive therapist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for expressive therapist in the United States is $66,131.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,500.00 and $78,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an expressive therapist?

An Expressive Therapist is a mental health professional who uses creative arts—such as music, art, dance, drama, or writing—as therapeutic tools to help individuals express and process emotions, resolve psychological issues, and improve overall well-being. They work with people of all ages in a variety of settings, including hospitals, schools, and private practices. Expressive Therapists tailor their approach to the unique needs of each client, encouraging self-expression and personal growth through the creative process.

What is the role of an expressive therapist?

As an expressive therapist, you use therapeutic application of music, art, dance, movement to help people grow, heal, and develop. Your responsibilities may include organizing expressive activities for recreation, providing patient treatment via expressive therapy, and incorporating engaging and expressive activities to help clients cope with life changes, trauma, and other challenges. Duties span client consultations, developing treatment plans, and administering therapy to groups or individuals. Expressive therapists work with all ages from children to adults in a variety of settings and scenarios in both inpatient and outpatient facilities, so interpersonal communication skills are beneficial.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an expressive therapist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Expressive Therapist, you need a background in counseling or psychology, specialized training in expressive arts therapies, and appropriate licensure or certification. Familiarity with therapeutic modalities, creative art tools, and clinical documentation systems is typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, creativity, and emotional intelligence help build rapport and foster a safe, supportive environment for clients. These skills and qualities are crucial for effectively guiding clients through therapeutic processes and achieving positive mental health outcomes.

What are some common challenges expressive therapists face when working with diverse client populations?

Expressive Therapists often work with clients from a variety of backgrounds, ages, and with differing levels of comfort in creative expression. One common challenge is adapting therapeutic techniques to suit individual cultural norms, communication preferences, and emotional readiness. Building trust and overcoming resistance to creative modalities can take time, especially if clients are unfamiliar with expressive arts therapy. Successful therapists remain flexible and patient, using a variety of art forms and continually seeking client feedback to foster engagement and therapeutic growth.

What is the difference between Expressive Therapist vs Art Therapist?

AspectExpressive TherapistArt Therapist
CredentialsMaster's degree in counseling, psychology, or related field; training in expressive therapiesMaster's degree in art therapy or related field; certification as an Art Therapist (ATR)
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, schools, private practiceHospitals, mental health centers, schools, private practice
Industry UsageUsed broadly for various expressive modalities including art, music, danceSpecifically focused on art therapy using visual arts

Expressive Therapists and Art Therapists both utilize creative modalities to support mental health, but Expressive Therapists may work with multiple expressive arts, while Art Therapists specialize in visual arts. Both roles often share similar credentials and work environments, but their focus and certification requirements differ slightly.

How much do expressive therapists make?

Expressive therapists typically earn between $40,000 and $70,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and work setting. Salaries can vary based on certifications, specialization, and whether they work in schools, clinics, or private practice.
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Expressive Therapist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Expressive Therapist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 6% As Needed, 51% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 26% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $66,131 per year, or $31.8 per hour.

Expressive Therapist - Brooklyn

St. Mary's Healthcare System for Children

Uniondale, NY • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

While providing home visits, the Expressive Therapist provides Expressive Therapy to patients and families under the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver. The Expressive Therapist works to help patients and their families to feel empowered in their own creativity and to aid in their communication of their feelings particularly with regard to the stress and symptoms of serious illness and/or life-threatening conditions. The Expressive Therapist will also function as an additional resource to the rest of the palliative team as well as home care staff through consultation and educational offerings.

JOB DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Uses music, art, and/or play therapies as a creative process resulting in exploration of patient's feelings, reconciling emotional conflicts, fostering self-awareness and making memories
  2. Helps children better understand and express their reactions through expressive modalities
  3. Educates patient and family members about expressive therapies including the benefits, purpose and ways to incorporate these benefits into daily life.
  4. Encourages/assists patient/family in creating tangible mementos (such as artwork, musical creations etc.) as appropriate.
  5. Maintains a caseload and ensures accurate and timely individualized assessment, planning, implementation and documentation.
  6. Uses evidence-based treatments/modalities to address patient's needs and preferences.
  7. Acts professionally and is legally accountable for all aspects of work
  8. Develops an Expressive Therapy plan of care in conjunction with patient and family
  9. Demonstrates an understanding of illness and the potential complications and side effects of treatments
  10. Monitors and reviews the effectiveness of the therapy given and modifies it as necessary to support patient's treatment plan of care
  11. Discusses patient suitability to receive expressive therapy treatment with the referring professional and the Home Care Palliative Care Program Manager, if necessary.
  12. Refers patients to other members of multi-disciplinary team, as appropriate.
  13. Participates in interdisciplinary case conferences and acts as a clinical resource for the team when needed.
  14. Communicates promptly within the multidisciplinary team as issues arise for patients, whilst being mindful of confidentiality issues
  15. Act as the patient's advocate in relation to Expressive Therapy.
  16. Other duties as assigned.

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