Commonwealth of Massachusetts logo
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Tewksbury, Massachusetts

Rehabilitation Counselor (C), Expressive Therapist

CounselorIncludes callIncludes weekendsNo nightsFull-Time

Compensation

Pay not listed

The week · per this posting · Tuesday – Friday

Weekend work is also flagged as required; confirm which days and how often.

Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting and time off.

Posted 51m ago · Verified live

Job Description

General Summary

Tewksbury Hospital, operated by the Department of Mental Health (DMH) is seeking an experienced Expressive Therapist who will provide quality rehabilitation and recovery services with focus on Music Therapy within the Expressive Therapy Services in accordance with the Rehabilitation Department and DMH policy and procedures as well as The Joint Commission (TJC) at all times to ensure quality care. The selected candidate will provide person centered and trauma informed Recovery and Rehabilitation services to adults of the Northeast Area who have psychiatric and medical needs through the use of Expressive Therapy.

The Expressive Therapist also promotes and supports a recovery and resiliency model of Rehabilitation by implementing the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) 10 fundamental components of recovery. The Rehabilitation Services department has a foundation built upon teamwork by co-leading groups, embracing flexibility, and participating in various committees.

Please Note: This position is 40 hours per week, 1st shift Monday 11:00AM - 7:30PM, Tuesday - Friday 8:00AM- 4:30PM. Days off are Saturday and Sunday.

Duties and Responsibilities (These are a general summary and are not all inclusive):

  • Assesses skill levels, strengths, interests, and potential challenges as well as providing interventions which facilitate success, while supporting individual choice.
  • Provides work adjustment training, social skills training and provides ongoing support to individuals served to increase successful rehabilitation outcomes.
  • Provides Expressive Therapy assessment and treatment.
  • Provides Music Therapy assessment and treatment
  • Assists individuals served in developing and monitoring their individualized and person centered rehabilitation/recovery goals and schedules.
  • Participates in various committees, assigned meetings and trainings.
  • Facilitates groups, activities, and events, including community transition groups and trips.
  • Supervises staff and Expressive Therapy students as assigned.
  • Partners with the Fieldwork Supervisor and completes all related documentation.

Required Qualifications

  • Knowledge of the principles and practice of psychiatric rehabilitation, including techniques of counseling for psychiatric rehabilitation.
  • Demonstrated experience with the principles and practices of expressive therapy including the types and content of a wide variety of expressive therapy techniques and modalities.
  • Familiarity with the types and symptoms of mental illness.
  • Basic knowledge of the methods of general report writing.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Knowledge of the Recovery and Resiliency Model, experience supervising students, ability to function independently, understanding of motivational interviewing techniques and a comprehensive knowledge base of the components of community integration.
  • Completion of degree requirements for Expressive Therapist; full licensure as an Expressive Therapist
  • Given the population served, bilingual or multilingual fluency.
  • MT-BC (music therapist Board Certified)

About Tewksbury Hospital

Tewksbury Hospital operates a 370-bed facility and a campus of over 700 acres of land. Its patient care services are provided under the auspices of the Department of Public Health and Mental Health.

Joint Commission accredited LTAC hospital that provides high quality, comprehensive treatment, care, and comfort to adults with chronic medical and mental illness.

A full range of services are provided including 24/7 Nursing, Nurse Practitioners, Medicine as well as psychiatric and psychological services, a 6- bed dialysis unit, clinical laboratory, radiology, respiratory care, nutrition, speech/language, pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, therapeutic recreation and arts, and pharmacy.

Learn more: mass.gov

DMH Mission Statement

The Department of Mental Health assures and provides access to services and supports to meet the mental health needs of individuals of all ages, enabling them to live, work and participate in their communities. The Department establishes standards to ensure effective and culturally competent care to promote recovery. The Department sets policy, promotes self-determination, protects human rights and supports mental health training and research.

Pre-Hire Process

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit mass.gov and click on "Information for Job Applicants."

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

ADA Reasonable Accommodation

If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests

For questions about this requisition, please contact Employment and Staffing Customer Service at 1-800-510-4122, option 4.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Required Work Experience

At least four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in social work, social casework, vocational counseling, employment counseling, rehabilitation counseling, or educational counseling.

Substitutions

  • A Bachelor's or higher degree in rehabilitation, vocational rehabilitation counseling, education of the physically or emotionally handicapped, education of the multiple handicapped, education of the learning disabled, social work, psychology, human services, or counseling may be substituted for the required experience on the basis of two years of education for one year of experience.
  • A Bachelor's or higher degree in a major other than rehabilitation, vocational rehabilitation counseling, education of the physically or emotionally handicapped, education of the multiple handicapped, education of the learning disabled, social work, psychology, human services, or counseling may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience on the basis of four years of education for one year of experience.
  • A Master's or higher degree in social work, psychology, human services, rehabilitation, vocational rehabilitation counseling, or counseling may be substituted for an additional year of the required experience on the basis of two years of education for one year of experience.
  • Licensure as a Licensed Rehabilitation Counselor by the Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health Professionals or Certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification may be substituted for the required experience.
  • One year of education equals 30 semester hours. Education toward a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

Title 101 CMR 23.00 (“Regulation”) requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100%25 of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Key Responsibilities

The Expressive Therapist will provide person-centered music therapy and rehabilitation services to adults with psychiatric and medical needs. Responsibilities include facilitating group sessions, assessing patient progress, supervising staff, and collaborating with the multidisciplinary team to support recovery goals.

Requirements

Candidates must have at least four years of professional experience in social work, counseling, or rehabilitation, with substitutions available for relevant degrees. A degree in expressive therapy and professional licensure are preferred, along with board certification in music therapy.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Trauma informed careRecovery modelStaff supervisionGroup facilitationPerson centered care

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Rehabilitation Counselor (C), Expressive Therapist at Commonwealth of Massachusetts a 6.4 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) — ranked against 7,961 active Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no night shifts.

Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 22% are remote, 30% have no call, 72% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Massachusetts is 105.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 63.2% of Massachusetts clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Counselor Jobs

50 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution46 jobs · 38 employers

18
<$70k
14
$70k-90k
6
$90k-110k
8
$110k-130k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks43 jobs · 38 employers

401k / retirement match
93% this job
CME allowance
49%
Sign-on bonus
33%
Loan repayment
30%
PSLF eligible
14% this job

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Therapist - LICSW/LPCC/LMFT

LifeStance Health · Saint Louis Park, Minnesota

$74k-$126k
#2

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT, LPC, LCSW)

LifeStance Health · Brookfield, Wisconsin

$92k-$125k
#3

Lead Marriage and Family Therapist LMFT Supervisor

$83k-$123k
#4

Lead Licensed Mental Health Counselor LMHC Supervisor

$83k-$123k
+ 48 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.1this job 6.4
Better work-life than 60% of Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 7,961 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No nights
  • Includes call
  • Includes weekends

Living in Tewksbury

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$676k
Typical market rent
$2,884/mo
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
108.3
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026).

BEA 2024 · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts logo

About Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Government Administration
Boston, Massachusetts
201-500 employees

Benefits & Perks

Comprehensive state employee benefits
State pension/retirement system
PSLF eligible employer