Creative Arts Therapist I

CounselorIncludes weekendsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$63K–$87K

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 7mo ago

Job Description

Job Summary:

Uses artistic methods, such as art, music, dance/movement, or drama to support mental health recovery and enhance emotional wellbeing of the inpatient population. Designs and implements group therapy sessions; collaborates with a multidisciplinary treatment team.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree or higher in a mental health field

Credential from a National Board, Such As

  • Music Therapist-Board Certified (MT-BC)
  • Experience working in a mental health setting preferred

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Core Competencies

Assesses patient needs via formal or informal methods to develop treatment goals.

Develops and implements creative arts therapy interventions tailored to diverse populations, needs, and mental health conditions.

Conducts group therapy sessions in accordance with professional scope and standards of practice; may conduct individual therapy sessions.

Evaluates and documents progress and response to intervention.

Modifies therapeutic approaches based on ongoing assessment.

Completes accurate and timely documentation in accordance with hospital and department standards.

Utilizes evidence-based practice, therapeutic use of self, and a client-centered approach to guide patient interactions and clinical decisions.

Contributes to treatment planning, offering professional expertise and observations of progress.

Collaborates and communicates with treatment team and unit staff to ensure safety before, during, and after groups and activities.

Follows hospital policies and practices, demonstrates knowledge of policies especially those concerning patient safety; demonstrates effective clinical judgement in patient care decisions.

Demonstrates high levels of attention to detail in order to maintain a safe environment of care.

Provides programming coverage for other department staff.

Contributes to a culture of feedback, seeking opportunities to give and receive constructive feedback.

Demonstrates initiative and productivity by identifying and addressing programming issues in a timely manner, while suggesting and/or implementing solutions and alternatives.

Demonstrates flexibility; able to adapt schedule to meet shifting inpatient needs based on acuity or other factors while maintaining fidelity to core programming schedule.

Processes programming approaches with supervisor to continually improve skill set and troubleshoot barriers to success while implementing supports to improvement.

Participates in continuing education to maintain credentials and demonstrate professional development

As indicated, facilitates the exhibition of patient work.

Participates in orienting new department staff.

Contributes to educational environment by setting professional example for students and interns, and mentoring them as required by department; supervises interns in compliance with professional practice standards.

Maintains cleanliness and organization of personal and shared spaces and supplies.

Participates in maintaining supply inventory by monitoring stock and ordering materials.

Key Responsibilities

The role involves using artistic methods like art, music, dance/movement, or drama to support the mental health recovery and emotional wellbeing of the inpatient population. Responsibilities include designing and implementing group therapy sessions and collaborating closely with the multidisciplinary treatment team.

Certifications

Board Certification

Key Skills

Patient AssessmentIntervention ModificationCollaboration

Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 68% are remote, 26% have no call, 76% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Vermont is 98.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$75k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $77k in an average-cost state. 62.3% of Vermont clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Mental Health Therapy by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed pay$63k–$87kMental Health Therapy median $67k (middle half $50k–$88k)284 comparable listings, Oct 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$77k in purchasing powerVermont index 98.0 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Mental Health Therapy listings in Vermont13 active7,906 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 68% remote · 26% no call · 76% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Oct 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

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Salary Distribution

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Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

31 jobs · 17 employers
401k / retirement match
97%
Sign-on bonus
39%
CME allowance
16% this job
Loan repayment
6%
PSLF eligible
6%

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Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 3.0
Better work-life than 20% of Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 7,851 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • Includes weekends
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About Brattleboro Retreat

Mental Health Care
Brattleboro, VT
201-500 employees