Creative Arts Therapist | Behavioral Health | Mental Health | Addiction Recovery

Location: Philadelphia, PA
Department: Creative Arts Therapy & Wellness
Job Type: Part Time
Schedule: 20–24 Hours Per Week | Friday through Monday | Every Weekend Required
Work Setting: Fully Onsite

About Us

The Behavioral Wellness Center at Girard is a leading provider of behavioral health and addiction recovery services in Philadelphia. We provide comprehensive inpatient psychiatric, substance use disorder, and outpatient behavioral health treatment through evidence based, trauma informed, and culturally responsive care.

Our multidisciplinary team is dedicated to helping individuals achieve recovery, emotional wellness, and improved quality of life through compassionate, person-centered treatment.

Overview

The Behavioral Wellness Center at Girard is seeking a Part-Time Creative Arts Therapist to join our Creative Arts Therapy & Wellness Department. This position provides 20–24 hours per week on a Friday through Monday schedule and requires availability every weekend. This is an excellent opportunity to make a meaningful impact on individuals recovering from mental illness, substance use disorders, addiction, and co-occurring conditions.

Using specialized therapeutic modalities such as Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Dance/Movement Therapy, Drama Therapy, Recreation Therapy, Horticultural Therapy, or other recognized creative arts disciplines, the Creative Arts Therapist develops and facilitates evidence based, trauma informed interventions that promote emotional expression, resilience, recovery, and overall wellness.

Working collaboratively with an interdisciplinary treatment team, you will assess patient needs, facilitate individual and group therapy sessions, coordinate therapeutic and wellness programming, and develop clinically appropriate interventions based on each patient's developmental level, strengths, cultural background, psychosocial needs, and individualized treatment goals. Clinical decision making is guided by ongoing assessment, interdisciplinary collaboration, and professional best practices. 

This position is ideal for professionals passionate about behavioral health, mental health, addiction recovery, psychosocial rehabilitation, and using creative therapeutic approaches to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

Important: All new hires must be able to attend a mandatory five-day orientation Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM before beginning their regular work schedule.

Responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive therapeutic assessments and document clinical impressions in a timely manner
• Develop and facilitate individual and group creative arts therapy sessions using evidence based therapeutic interventions
• Utilize trauma informed, culturally responsive, and recovery-oriented treatment approaches
• Develop therapeutic relationships that promote engagement, resilience, and recovery
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning and case conferences
• Coordinate therapeutic milieu activities, wellness programming, and structured creative arts groups, including weekend programming as assigned
• Utilize creative arts interventions to address individualized treatment goals and behavioral health needs
• Incorporate patients' developmental, cultural, spiritual, and psychosocial needs into treatment planning
• Promote patient safety and respond appropriately to behavioral health crises using de-escalation techniques
• Educate patients on healthy leisure skills and community resources to support recovery after discharge
• Develop and maintain a resource bank of therapeutic activities and programming materials
• Provide additional services and special projects as assigned by the Director of Creative Arts Therapy & Wellness 

Documentation

• Complete timely, relevant, and accurate documentation within the Electronic Health Record (EHR)
• Document patient participation, progress, and clinical observations
• Maintain attendance records for all therapeutic groups and activities
• Coordinate with treatment teams regarding special events and therapeutic programming
• Assist with evaluating therapeutic programs and special events
• Complete required reports and monthly professional activity summaries 

Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain professional and ethical relationships with patients, families, and staff
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, social workers, counselors, rehabilitation staff, and other multidisciplinary team members
• Participate in staff development, continuing education, and performance improvement initiatives
• Assist with wellness initiatives, staff engagement programming, seasonal events, and special projects
• Maintain professional memberships and credentials within your respective creative arts therapy discipline
• Demonstrate initiative, professionalism, flexibility, and commitment to delivering high quality patient care 

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree required in Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Dance/Movement Therapy, Drama Therapy, Recreation Therapy, Horticultural Therapy, or another recognized creative arts discipline
• Master's degree preferred

Experience

• Experience working in behavioral health, mental health, psychiatric care, addiction treatment, substance use treatment, psychosocial rehabilitation, or inpatient healthcare preferred
• Experience facilitating therapeutic groups strongly preferred

Certifications

• Membership in the appropriate professional organization required
• Professional registration and/or certification preferred
• CPR certification preferred
• Bilingual and bicultural candidates are encouraged to apply
• If applying as a Peer Integrated Recovery (PIR) professional, two years of sobriety is required 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of creative arts therapy principles and psychosocial rehabilitation
• Working knowledge of therapeutic interventions related to behavioral health treatment and psychiatric care
• Basic understanding of psychiatric disorders, recovery principles, 12-Step programs, and the disease model of addiction
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
• Ability to independently develop therapeutic programming and treatment interventions
• Experience using Microsoft Office and Electronic Health Records (EHR)
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, and multidisciplinary teams
• Ability to prepare accurate reports and clinical documentation
• Ability to motivate and engage diverse patient populations through therapeutic creative expression
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with an interdisciplinary treatment team
• Willingness to participate in staff engagement programming and ongoing professional development

We are willing to train the right candidate who demonstrates strong clinical potential and a passion for behavioral health and addiction recovery. 

Work Environment

• Active clinical role requiring standing, walking, bending, reaching, and participation in therapeutic activities throughout the shift
• Ability to safely work with patients experiencing psychiatric crises, substance use disorders, and challenging behaviors
• May involve exposure to healthcare environments and infectious diseases
• Knowledge of infection prevention, patient safety, crisis intervention, and de-escalation practices is essential 

Why Join Us

• Consistent 20–24 hour per week part-time schedule
• Friday through Monday schedule with every weekend required
• Opportunity to positively impact individuals recovering from mental illness and substance use disorders
• Collaborative multidisciplinary treatment team
• Professional development and continuing education opportunities
• Mission driven organization committed to recovery, hope, and wellness
• Supportive environment that values creativity, innovation, and compassionate care

Pre Employment and Workplace Policy

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of all pre-employment requirements, including a physical examination, background check, verification of employment, and drug screening. The Behavioral Wellness Center at Girard is a Drug Free Workplace, and all employees are expected to comply with workplace policies and standards of conduct.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Behavioral Wellness Center at Girard is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE M F D V). We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.